On April 10, Buckingham Palace in London opens its doors to a new exhibition, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style.” This is the largest exhibition dedicated to the style of Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. We tell you in detail about this event.
Queen Elizabeth II
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Queen Elizabeth II is perhaps the most famous person in modern history: in more than 70 years on the throne, she has shaped the image of the monarch that everyone knows. Her influence on popular culture is no less significant than her seven decades of formal power: from countless magazine covers to the series “The Crown” and fashion homages – the image of the former Queen of Great Britain is indisputably known to everyone.
This year she could turn 100 – especially for this, the Royal Household of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is presenting an exhibition dedicated to the late Queen's style. The curator of the project was the curator of royal works of art Caroline de Guiteau. In March this year, she published a book of the same name, which reveals the details of the Queen's wardrobe from childhood to her last appearances in 2022. “In the year when she would have turned 100, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's unique British style and her long-standing fashion legacy,” the curator shares.
The exhibition “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” reveals the details of the wardrobe of a woman we know as a big fan of bright hats, colorful coats, little black bags and low-heeled shoes. This recognizable image began to take shape in the mid-1990s. Before that, Elizabeth II boldly wore trendy things for different eras, adapting them to royal protocol. For example, her 1980s are marked by jackets with voluminous shoulders, prints and fancy hats.
This exhibition is a true panorama of the Queen's style. It presents a detailed selection, where each item is an example of research by the curatorial team of the royal court. In the halls of Buckingham Palace, about 300 different items are exhibited: from children's shoes and Elizabeth II's ballet tutu to famous images in popular culture. For example, the peach-colored dress that she wore to the opening of the Olympic Games in London in 2012 with James Bond, or the outfit for a meeting with Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961.
The exhibition also includes wedding and coronation dresses created by legendary British couturier Norman Hartnell – pieces that have never been shown to the public.
Vintage lovers will be particularly interested in a selection of Hermès, Gucci and Burberry scarves, which the Queen loved to wear during her summer residence in Sandringham, Scotland, or during the Royal Ascot horse races. Prints from the 1970s and 1980s, collected by vintage collectors from around the world, will be seen among other collectible accessories.
Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most recognizable personalities of our time. Her service to the people, her steadfastness, diplomacy and manners have made her the most famous queen in the world, known not only from English books. Her restrained but bright style is what makes her image in popular culture continue to live on today. Fashion researchers consider her one of the most famous fashionable women in the world, and this year we have seen references to her images in many fashion collections this season.
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style reveals the details of the British monarch's wardrobe over the decades and shares what was not available to us during her lifetime: the Queen's private and personal life. The exhibition can be visited from April 10 to October 18, 2026 at the King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London.
Text: Vova Motrychuk