Queen Elizabeth II: A reign of style and glamour

The exhibition “Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” invites visitors to step into the iconic world of royal elegance.

Over 300 garments, half of them displayed publicly for the first time, are showcased at King’s Gallery in London, marking the centenary of the late queen’s birth. Highlights include Norman Hartnell’s dazzling wedding and coronation gowns, a pink ensemble from the 2012 Olympics, and rare personal pieces such as a sheer 1960s coat and an elegant maternity dress worn during the pregnancy of the future King Charles III.

Curators from the Royal Collection Trust, led by Caroline de Gitu, were granted full access to the queen’s 4,500 meticulously preserved wardrobe items, resulting in the largest and most luxurious exhibition ever devoted to Elizabeth II’s style, prepared over 18 months.

Visitors will encounter evening and day dresses worn for state visits and official occasions, alongside signature accessories that defined the queen’s look: tiaras, bracelets, Launer handbags, Cornelia James gloves, and more than 50 hats in every color imaginable. Standout pieces include Queen Mary’s Diamond Fringe Tiara, the wedding gown reunited with its crown, and numerous ensembles inspired by the national motifs of countries visited by Elizabeth II.

The exhibition also highlights how the queen skillfully used fashion as a diplomatic tool, showcasing British craftsmanship while cultivating a personal image that remains a benchmark of style today.

“Her bold fashion choices were a subtle way to stretch the rules and set new standards for royal elegance,” notes de Gitu.