A landmark fashion exhibition celebrates the royal style of Queen Elizabeth II

This spring, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to one of the most anticipated cultural events of 2026 — Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style. The fashion exhibition will run from April 10th to October 18th, 2026, at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, marking what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday.

Bringing together around 200 garments and accessories, many of them displayed for the first time, the exhibition offers an intimate look at the evolution of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe. This visual narrative reflects both a century of royal life and the changing landscape of British fashion.

A fashion exhibition tracing a century of royal style

The exhibition explores ten decades of the Queen’s life through fashion — from childhood ensembles to the magnificent gowns she wore as a reigning monarch. Each garment tells a story of duty, diplomacy, and personal expression, revealing how Elizabeth II used clothing as both art and symbol.

Curated by Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibition includes never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples, and handwritten notes, offering insight into the collaboration between the Queen and her couturiers. 

Highlights: couture, craft, and legacy

Among the exhibition’s highlights is one of the earliest surviving examples of the Queen’s couture — a silver lamé bridesmaid dress designed by Edward Molyneux for the 1934 wedding of the Duke of Kent. Worn by the eight-year-old Princess Elizabeth, the piece captures the early fascination with her royal style and the precision of British craftsmanship.

Another centerpiece is the Coronation dress of 1953, designed by Norman Hartnell, featuring intricate embroidery that symbolized the nations of the Commonwealth. Alongside it stands her 1947 wedding gown, also by Hartnell — a design that defined post-war British elegance.

Eveningwear selections trace the evolution of royal glamour, from the structured crinolines of the 1950s to vibrant printed gowns by Ian Thomas in the 1970s, reflecting the Queen’s subtle embrace of modern trends while maintaining timeless sophistication.

The enduring influence of royal style

The exhibition also shines a light on the Queen’s off-duty wardrobe — her Harris tweed jackets, riding clothes, and silk headscarves — pieces that illustrate a practical and relatable side of her style. A particularly innovative item, a transparent raincoat designed by Hardy Amies in the 1960s, reveals the Queen’s attention to both functionality and visibility during public engagements.

To underline her ongoing influence, the display features contemporary interpretations by Erdem Moralıoğlu, Richard Quinn, and Christopher Kane, three leading British designers whose works reimagine the essence of royal style for today’s fashion landscape.

A Centenary Celebration of Elegance and Legacy

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is the most comprehensive exhibition of the Queen’s fashion to date, celebrating her enduring influence on royal presentation and the global perception of British design.

Accompanied by the official publication Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, the exhibition promises an unprecedented look into the craftsmanship, symbolism, and creative vision that defined a century of regal elegance.