Next year, Buckingham Palace is set to open its doors to a landmark event that promises to captivate royal fans and fashion enthusiasts alike: the largest-ever exhibition dedicated to the iconic wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth II. Announced on November 4, 2025, and timed to coincide with what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday, "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life In Style" will run from April 10 to October 18, 2026, at The King’s Gallery inside Buckingham Palace. Tickets for this highly anticipated showcase went on sale the same day as the announcement, sparking a rush among admirers eager to secure their spot at a once-in-a-century celebration of royal style and history.
The exhibition, curated by the Royal Collection Trust, will feature approximately 200 items spanning all ten decades of Queen Elizabeth II’s life. In a remarkable move, about half of these pieces will be displayed to the public for the first time—a testament to the depth and breadth of the Queen’s fashion archive, now considered one of the most significant collections of twentieth-century British fashion. According to the Associated Press, this landmark event will chart the monarch’s journey from a young princess to Britain’s longest-reigning sovereign, offering visitors a rare glimpse into both her public persona and private moments through the lens of her clothing.
Among the highlights are some truly historic garments. Visitors can expect to see the tulle bridesmaid dress worn by an eight-year-old Princess Elizabeth in 1934, a vibrant trio of printed Ian Thomas evening dresses from the 1970s, and the Queen’s famed wedding and coronation gowns, both crafted by her most influential designer, Sir Norman Hartnell. Hartnell’s creations, including the apple-green gown worn at a 1957 state banquet for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the pastel blue ensemble donned at Princess Margaret’s 1960 wedding, will be on display, illustrating the evolution of royal fashion over the decades.
But it’s not just the grandeur of state occasions that will be showcased. The exhibition also delves into the Queen’s off-duty wardrobe, featuring items such as her Harris tweed jackets, Balmoral tartan kilts, riding clothes, and even a transparent raincoat by Hardy Amies from the 1960s—a quirky yet practical piece designed to ensure her bright daywear remained visible to crowds, rain or shine. Design sketches and fabric samples will also be on view, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous craftsmanship and symbolism woven into each garment.
In a nod to the Queen’s enduring influence on contemporary fashion, three leading British designers—Erdem Moralioglu, Richard Quinn, and Christopher Kane—have contributed pieces inspired by her distinctive style. Each designer will showcase an ensemble from their own collections, displayed alongside a related item from the Queen’s personal archive. Their reflections on the monarch’s fashion legacy will also be included in the official exhibition book, "Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style," which explores her wardrobe in unprecedented detail.
Designer Erdem Moralioglu, founder of the London-based fashion label Erdem, described the Queen’s wardrobe as “a snapshot of a very long life, a life of duty, and in so many ways it’s a time capsule. It captures a very specific and important moment in history.” Richard Quinn, winner of the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, emphasized her impact on the industry: “There is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth II’s style and promotion of British couture over the 90 years had a huge impact on British fashion. The ultimate stamp of approval, she always shone a light on British designers, highlighting the relevance and significance of British fashion across the world.”
Christopher Kane, another celebrated designer involved in the project, offered his perspective on the Queen’s sartorial legacy: “Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe is one of the most significant living archives in modern fashion history. From the decline of the court dressmaker to the rise of couturiers like Hartnell and Hardy Amies, her garments tell the story of Britain and its changing identity through fashion. For designers and students, it offers a masterclass in silhouette, construction, repetition, symbolism and, perhaps most importantly, restraint.”
Exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut reflected on the Queen’s style, stating, “Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe was a masterclass in symbolism, tailoring and British craftsmanship. In this landmark exhibition, as well as unveiling garments spanning every decade of the late Queen’s life, we are thrilled to be including works by three contemporary designers who have so successfully reinterpreted her style for the present day, demonstrating how her fashion legacy continues to be woven into the fabric of British design.”
The exhibition is not just a celebration of the Queen’s personal style, but also a chronicle of Britain’s changing identity over the twentieth century. From the decline of the traditional court dressmaker to the rise of modern British couture, her clothing choices reflected both continuity and change—balancing tradition with innovation, and often carrying subtle messages of diplomacy and national pride. The Royal Collection Trust notes that the Queen’s archive now forms a vital part of the nation’s cultural heritage, with garments that have witnessed some of the most significant moments in modern British history.
For those eager to delve deeper, the accompanying publication "Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style" promises further insights, including a tribute by Dame Anna Wintour, the renowned former editor and current global editorial director of US Vogue. The book, like the exhibition, seeks to illuminate the deliberate and meaningful choices that defined the Queen’s wardrobe—choices that, as Kane points out, offer invaluable lessons in restraint and symbolism to designers and students alike.
As the world prepares to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s centenary on April 21, 2026, "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life In Style" stands as both a tribute to her enduring legacy and a testament to the power of fashion to shape—and reflect—history. With tickets now on sale and anticipation building, this exhibition promises to be a fitting celebration of a monarch whose sense of style was as remarkable as her reign.
