An extraordinary exhibition celebrating the timeless style and influence of the late Queen Elizabeth II will open next year at Buckingham Palace, offering a rare glimpse into her seven-decade-long fashion legacy.
Titled “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” the exhibition will showcase around 200 pieces from the Queen’s wardrobe — half of which have never been displayed before — highlighting her role as a global fashion icon and symbol of British identity.
Curated by the Royal Collection Trust, the exhibition will run at The King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace from April 10 to October 18, 2026.
A tribute to elegance and symbolism
British designer Erdem Moralioglu, one of the contributors to the exhibition, described the Queen’s wardrobe as a “snapshot of a very long life, a life of duty.”
“It’s a time capsule,” he said, noting that her fashion choices reflected moments of both personal significance and historical importance.
Joining Moralioglu in the project are renowned designers Richard Quinn and Christopher Kane, who praised the Queen’s enduring influence on British fashion.
Quinn described her as “the ultimate stamp of approval,” explaining that her unwavering support for British designers “highlighted the relevance and significance of British fashion across the world.”
Kane added that the exhibition will tell “the story of Britain and its changing identity through fashion.”
Highlights of the royal collection
Among the standout pieces set to go on display is a vivid apple-green gown designed by Norman Hartnell, worn during a state banquet hosted for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington in 1957.
Visitors will also see some of the Queen’s most historic outfits, including her wedding dress and coronation gown, both crafted by Hartnell, as well as a bridesmaid’s dress from 1934.
Other notable items include riding attire, signature scarves, and even a clear plastic raincoat by couturier Hardy Amies, described as “strikingly modern for the 1960s.”
Curator Caroline de Guitaut called the collection “a masterclass in symbolism, tailoring, and British craftsmanship,” emphasizing how the Queen’s wardrobe balanced tradition with innovation throughout her 70-year reign.
Tickets and exhibition details
Tickets for “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” are now available, with the exhibition set to open its doors from April 10 to October 18, 2026 at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022, continues to be celebrated for her grace, elegance, and quiet yet powerful influence on fashion and culture — a legacy that this exhibition aims to immortalize.
