Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most iconic British queens to have helmed the throne of the United Kingdom and other commonwealth realms. Known for her conservative style and firm rules, she spent 70 years on the throne, showcasing some of the most surprising fashion moments including bright umbrellas and expansive ballgowns, during her time. She was married to Prince Philip from 1947 to 2021, and hailed as an exemplary monarch during her reign from 1952 to 2022. Now, an exhibition at The King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace is presenting items from the 10 decades of the late queen’s life, marking the centenary of her birth on April 10th. Here are 5 of the most iconic and trend-setting outfits donned by Queen Elizabeth II:
The coronation gown
Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Coronation dress was made from by Sir Norman Hartnell
Designed by dressmaker Norman Hartnell, Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Coronation dress was made from Kent silk and featured elaborate embroideries including gold bugle beads, diamantes, pearls and more. Interestingly, the design-the eighth by the designer to finally be approved, also included floral emblems of the four nations of the UK along with those of the other states in the Commonwealth. These were England’s Tudor rose, Scotland’s thistle, Welsh leek, the Indian lotus, among others.
Blue gown and bolero jacket
The monarch donned the ensemble for her sister Princess Margaret’s wedding in 1960
Blue has always been a classic pick when it came to occassional gowns and Queen Elizabeth II’s kingfisher blue gown and bolero jacket have definitely inspired many other remakes. The monarch donned the ensemble for her sister Princess Margaret’s wedding in 1960. It had guipure lace detailing to echo the wedding theme and was worn with a blue hat adorned with three blue silk roses, possibly an ode to her sister’s full name Margaret Rose.
Transparent raincoat
The transparent coat allowed people to still see her outfits in all weathers.
While she may have been a follower of the rules, the queen gradually came to experiment more with fashion and truly have some fun with it. Not many are aware that she owned a transparent plastic raincoat in the 1960s. Designed by Hardy Amies, the creation, complemented by her transparent umbrellas, allowed people to still see her outfits in all weathers.
Eisenhower gown
The gown was donned by the queen at the state banquet thrown in honour of US President Dwight Eisenhower.
Another piece designed for the queen by Hartnell, this gown was donned by her in 1957 at the state banquet thrown in honour of US President Dwight Eisenhower at the British Embassy in Washington DC. In the colour apple crisp green, it could be an ode to all things American-from the Big Apple to the American Pie.
Black Marilyn Monroe gown
Queen Elizabeth II met Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe in 1956
The year was 1956 and Queen Elizabeth II was shaking hands with legendary actress Marilyn Monroe at the Royal Command Film Performance at Leicester Square in London. The two were among the most famous women in the world at the time, both aged 30, and yet their lives couldn’t have been more contrasted. While Monroe broke the dress code with a low-cut sleeveless gown, the queen donned a black off-the-shoulder gown designed by Hartnell, also marking a step aside from the traditional colours and silhouettes at the time.
Exhibit Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth’s fashion closet is currently on display at an exhibition at Buckingham Palace’s King’s Gallery
Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion closet is currently on display at an exhibition at Buckingham Palace’s King’s Gallery. Titled ‘Exhibit Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style’, it contains more than 300 items from the late monarch’s wardrobe, half of which are on display for the first time ever. The exhibition will remain open for visitors till October 18, 2026. Queen Elizabeth II ruled longer than any monarch in British history. She was born in 1927 in London and was the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She met Prince Philip in 1934 and their engagement was announced in 1947 with the couple tying the knot the same year. They went on to have four children: King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.