Next spring, Buckingham Palace will open its doors to Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style—the most comprehensive exhibition ever dedicated to the late monarch’s wardrobe. Debuting at The King’s Gallery in April 2026, the retrospective will chronicle how her impeccable sense of dress came to symbolize duty, dignity, and the evolving image of British identity.
Featuring over 200 garments—nearly half displayed publicly for the first time—the exhibition traces the Queen’s sartorial journey from princess to global icon. Highlights include an apple-green gown worn to a 1957 state banquet in Washington, a powder-blue crinoline dress from Princess Margaret’s 1960 wedding, and the familiar headscarves and tweeds that defined her life at Balmoral. Each piece, crafted by court dressers such as Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies, Stewart Parvin, and Angela Kelly, reflects her commitment to visibility, elegance, and purpose.
To underscore her enduring influence, the exhibition will also feature modern interpretations by Christopher Kane, Erdem Moralıoğlu, and Richard Quinn—the latter being the first recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Each designer presents a dialogue between tradition and innovation, showcasing how the monarch’s disciplined aesthetic continues to inspire contemporary fashion.
An accompanying catalogue will include essays from leading fashion historians, offering insights into how Elizabeth II’s clothing choices communicated stability and strength in a rapidly changing world.
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style opens April 10, 2026, at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace—celebrating the timeless legacy of a woman whose wardrobe defined an era.
