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Celebrity Style

Queen Elizabeth’s style legacy is honoured in this new Buckingham Palace exhibition

STORYVincenzo La TorreSumnima Kandangwa
Queen Elizabeth is the focus of a new exhibition that pays tribute to her fashion legacy. Photos: Handout
Queen Elizabeth is the focus of a new exhibition that pays tribute to her fashion legacy. Photos: Handout
Fashion

The landmark event in The King’s Gallery celebrates the late monarch’s 100th birthday, features 200 rare garments, designer tributes and royal artefacts – and opens today

This year marks the centenary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth. The late British monarch, who died in 2022, is the subject of an exhibition focusing on her style – which opens today.
Queen Elizabeth dressed for Princess Margaret’s wedding in 1960. Photo: Cecil Beaton/Victoria and Albert Museum
Queen Elizabeth dressed for Princess Margaret’s wedding in 1960. Photo: Cecil Beaton/Victoria and Albert Museum

Held at The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” is the largest exhibition ever to pay homage to the queen’s fashion legacy, showcasing nearly 200 items of her clothing, starting from her childhood to the ensembles she wore for diplomatic engagements around the world, many of them on display for the first time.

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Princess Elizabeth of York as a bridesmaid at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent in 1934. Photo: Handout
Princess Elizabeth of York as a bridesmaid at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent in 1934. Photo: Handout

Designers Erdem Moralıoğlu, Richard Quinn and Christopher Kane, who have previously created pieces and entire collections inspired by the late queen’s distinctive style, will also each display a select item.

An illustration of a silver lamé beaded shift dress by Norman Hartnell, which Queen Elizabeth wore during a state visit to France in 1972. Photo: Handout
An illustration of a silver lamé beaded shift dress by Norman Hartnell, which Queen Elizabeth wore during a state visit to France in 1972. Photo: Handout

Quinn, who was the inaugural recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design in 2018 and designed a 23-piece black collection in tribute to her after she died, acknowledged the queen’s impact on British fashion.

“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,” he said. “[With] the ultimate stamp of approval, she always shone a light on British designers, highlighting the relevance and significance of British fashion across the world.”

Queen Elizabeth in an evening gown by Norman Hartnell in 1956. Photo: Handout
Queen Elizabeth in an evening gown by Norman Hartnell in 1956. Photo: Handout

Besides garments, jewellery, hats, shoes and accessories, the exhibition will also include sketches, design samples and royal correspondence.

From April 10 to October 18, 2026

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