Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
The landmark exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style opens this spring at Buckingham Palace, celebrating the late monarch’s 100th birthday. Running from April 10th to October 18th, 2026, at The King’s Gallery, it highlights the royal elegance and British fashion that have defined a century.
Exhibition Overview
Featuring around 200 garments and accessories, many displayed for the first time, the show provides an intimate view of Queen Elizabeth II’s evolving wardrobe. It traces her life in fashion over ten decades—from childhood outfits to grand gowns worn during her reign. Each piece embodies stories of duty, diplomacy, and personal expression, demonstrating how the Queen used clothing as both art and symbolism.
Curatorial Insights
Curated by Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibition presents original design sketches, fabric samples, and handwritten notes, shedding light on the close collaboration between the Queen and her couturiers.
Exhibition Highlights
- One of the earliest surviving couture pieces: a silver lamé bridesmaid dress by Edward Molyneux for the 1934 wedding of the Duke of Kent.
"Each garment tells a story of duty, diplomacy, and personal expression, revealing how Elizabeth II used clothing as both art and symbol."
This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the Queen’s impact on royal and British fashion, illustrating a blend of tradition and personal style.
Author’s Summary
The exhibition showcases Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion journey, unveiling how her wardrobe symbolized her public role and personal identity across a century.