Buckingham Palace Plans Largest-Ever Queen Elizabeth II Wardrobe Exhibition

Buckingham Palace will host the largest-ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe, titled "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style," from April to October 2026, commemorating what would have been her 100th birthday. The exhibition will feature around 200 garments spanning all ten decades of her life, with about half on public display for the first time, showcasing her evolving style during her 70-year reign and highlighting British fashion craftsmanship. Key highlights include her wedding and coronation gowns by Norman Hartnell, the apple-green gown worn at a 1957 state banquet for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and a clear plastic raincoat by Hardy Amies from the 1960s. The collection also includes private wardrobe items such as riding clothes, Harris tweed jackets, and distinctive scarves, along with design sketches and fabric samples that provide insight into the design process and her meticulous style. Renowned British designers like Erdem Moralioglu, Richard Quinn, and Christopher Kane contribute to the exhibition, emphasizing the Queen's lasting influence on British fashion and its reflection of Britain's evolving identity. The exhibition aims to celebrate the Queen's legacy as both a sovereign and a fashion icon, offering a unique glimpse into history through her clothing.