The Largest Exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II’s Fashion to Be Displayed at Buckingham Palace

To celebrate a century since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, Buckingham Palace will hold the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of the late monarch’s fashion. Set to debut in spring 2026, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” will feature approximately 200 items on view in the King’s Gallery. About half of these items have never been on display before. The exhibition will feature clothing worn in all ten decades of Queen Elizabeth II’s life, ranging from off-duty pieces to diplomatic attire.

“Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognizable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers,” said Caroline de Guitaut, exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art. 

“Only now, as the late Queen’s fashion archive comes under the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a lifetime of thoughtful style choices—from her hands-on role and understanding of the soft power behind her clothing, to the exceptional craftsmanship behind each garment,” de Guitaut continued. “In the year that she would have turned 100 years old, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy.” 

The fashion archive of Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most important and one of the largest surviving collections of 20th-century British fashion, and it is now part of the Royal Collection. Items that will be part of the exhibit include jewelry, clothing, hats, accessories, and shoes, in addition to never-before-seen fabric samples, handwritten correspondence, and design sketches. 

Additionally, there will be an official publication to coincide with the exhibit, aptly titled Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style. Written by de Guitaut, the tome will feature contributions from fashion designers and experts, with a focus on the Queen’s impressive fashion archive and lifelong commitment to championing the British fashion industry. 

Standout pieces that have never been displayed before include one of the earliest surviving pieces of couture from the Queen’s childhood wardrobe: a silver lamé and tulle bridesmaid dress designed by Edward Molyneux. She wore the dress in 1934, as an 8-year-old, to witness the marriage of her uncle, the Duke of Kent, to Princess Marina of Greece. Other notable items include pieces by Norman Hartnell, who designed her wedding dress and Coronation dress, both of which will be part of this exhibition. Conversely, everyday style items that will be exhibited range from riding jackets to silk headscarves to tartan skirts.

“Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” will be view at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from spring to autumn 2026.