An extraordinary exhibition showcasing over 300 items from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe will continue until what would have been her 101st birthday on April 18, 2027. This landmark display, entitled “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” opened around the Queen’s centenary in April and has generated significant interest, leading to it being extended for an additional six months at the King’s Gallery, located next to Buckingham Palace.
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The initial run of the exhibition sold out rapidly, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors before its original closure date of October 18, 2023. In light of this reception, curators anticipate welcoming another 200,000 guests during the extended period, making it potentially the most-visited exhibition in the history of the Royal Collection Trust, which is responsible for managing the United Kingdom’s royal artefacts.
Among the impressive range of items on display are childhood dresses, wedding jewels, and unique pieces such as the dress worn by the Queen’s stunt double during the London 2012 Olympics ceremony. Notably, around half of the exhibits are being shown to the public for the first time.
Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibition’s curator, expressed her hope that visitors would gain a deeper understanding of the significance of fashion in the Queen’s public life. “With over 300 pieces in the exhibition, it is the most thorough examination of her clothing collection,” she noted upon its launch. “I hope this helps visitors appreciate why fashion was so important in the Queen’s role.”
Tim Knox, the director of the Royal Collection, commented on the unprecedented response to the exhibition. He stated, “We are delighted to extend its run, ensuring that even more people from across the UK and around the world will have the chance to experience this once-in-a-generation tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s life and legacy.” This extension aims to uphold the charitable mission of sharing the Royal Collection as widely as possible.
An exciting highlight within the exhibition includes a pair of gold lame dresses designed by Jeanne Lanvin for a youthful Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret. De Guitaut described these dresses as “fascinating from a fashion history perspective,” illustrating the connection between Parisian fashion and London during that era.
The exhibition also features treasured items reflecting the Queen’s childhood, including an elegant silver lame bridesmaid dress, designed by Edward Molyneux, which she wore at the age of eight for the wedding of her uncle, the Duke of Kent, in 1934. Other iconic pieces include Elizabeth’s wedding gown and her coronation dress, both of which are pivotal to her legacy.
Another notable inclusion is a cornflower blue skirt that features playful appliques of Romeo and Juliet. Gifted to the Queen during her visit to Canada in 1951, she famously donned it later the same evening while dancing with Prince Philip. De Guitaut remarked on the skirt’s pristine condition, adding, “You can interpret it however you want, but I think it does perhaps indicate someone who is prepared to dress up and have fun with clothes.”
The curator also aims to shift perceptions regarding the Queen’s sense of style, particularly in relation to her sister, who was often viewed as the more fashionable sibling. De Guitaut hopes to “debunk that myth,” emphasising that the Queen cared deeply about her appearance and maintained an active interest in her fashion choices, indicating a strong personal connection with her designers.
As the exhibition continues to draw crowds, visitors are encouraged to secure their tickets in advance due to high demand. For those unable to attend, an official accompanying book titled “Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style,” authored by de Guitaut, offers insights into the wardrobe and style of the late monarch.
In a further celebration of the Queen’s legacy, the Royal Collection has opened the private apartments used by her at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. This is a first for public access to these rooms, with tours set to run for 100 days. Such initiatives highlight the ongoing commitment to honour the Queen’s life and contributions to both the monarchy and the nation.