Queen Elizabeth II wore countless gowns, jewels, hats and dresses over her 70 year reign, building a collection of heirloom jewellery pieces and custom made outfits. Now, a new exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, will be the largest ever showcase of her wardrobe, to celebrate 100 years since her birth. To mark the opening of the event, the Royal Collection Trust have shared photographs of many of the pieces, including a pregnancy dress of The Queen’s which has never been displayed in public.
During her first two pregnancies between 1948 and 1950 (King Charles and Princess Anne), The Queen still needed to attend formal events. So, a deep blue velvet evening gown was ‘discreetly tailored’ to accommodate her pregnancies, and the dress is on display at the exhibition for the first time. Below is a new photograph of the gown:
supplied by Royal Collection
Many other never or little-seen items belonging to Queen Elizabeth II are also being showcased, including ‘a rare surviving dress from her first Commonwealth tour as Queen.’ The one-shouldered gown is covered in delicate flowers, and Her Majesty wore it to accompany her husband Prince Philip to a banquet while in Australia. The Queen paired the dress with a white fur stole draped over her shoulders and a classic sweep of red lipstick, as seen below.
supplied by Royal Collection
Fox Photos
As well as the recognisable ‘rainbow’ outfits and matching hats which Queen Elizabeth II wore to public events, there are many ‘off-duty’ items available to see. ‘Never-before-displayed examples of her practical everyday style and exceptional British tailoring – from impeccably cut riding clothes and tweed suits to weatherproof clothing by Burberry, Angela Kelly and Hardy Amies,’ are included in the exhibition, says the Royal Collection Trust.
supplied by Royal Collection
Royal Collection Trust
There are also stunning jewellery pieces, including the Burmese Ruby Tiara which was commissioned by the Queen according to her own taste, and will be showcased for the first time. Both historical and personal pieces are featured, including a bracelet Prince Philip designed to celebrate five years of marriage, and Queen Mary’s Diamond Fringe Tiara, which The Queen wore on their wedding day.
supplied by Royal Collection
Image:Royal Collection Trust
One of the most exciting features of the collection for many, however, is a pair of outfits from more recent years. At the 2021 Olympic Opening Ceremony in London, Daniel Craig performed a special James Bond sketch which involved him visiting the Queen at Buckingham Palace. What nobody expected was for Her Majesty herself to really take part, before a stunt double took over to parachute into the stadium.
supplied by Royal Collection
The Queen and her stunt double wore intricately decorated, salmon pink dresses designed by Angela Kelly, and both are on now display as a pair for visitors to see.
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style runs until 18 October at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace.