Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Style Will Take Centre Stage In Upcoming Palace Exhibition

When we think of the late Queen Elizabeth II, what usually first springs to mind is her fashion: a whirlwind of colourful suits, silk headscarves and tartan coats, and that iconic black handbag. Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was always something of a trendsetter – in every decade of her life – but soon we’ll be able to see just how big her sartorial impact was on the nation. The largest ever exhibition dedicated to the monarch’s style is coming to Buckingham Palace in 2026 – here’s everything you need to know about Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style.

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style – Dates, Tickets & What’s On Display

Whether for her early couture gowns in the 1940s, her trendy eveningwear in the 1970s or her off-duty British staples of the 2000s, the late Queen Elizabeth II was known for her fashion-forward wardrobe. That’s likely why, to celebrate the centenary of her birth, the Palace has decided to honour her legacy with a massive exhibition dedicated to her life and style. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style will trace the royal’s life through her sense of fashion, from birth to adulthood (and princess to queen).

The Queen’s Coronation Dress, Norman Harntnell, 1953

‘Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognisable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers,’ said Caroline de Guitaut, exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art. ‘Only now, as the late Queen’s fashion archive comes under the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a lifetime of thoughtful style choices – from her hands-on role and understanding of the soft power behind her clothing, to the exceptional craftsmanship behind each garment. In the year that she would have turned 100 years old, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy.’

An official publication marking the royal’s centenary, titled Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style and penned by Guitaut, will also be released to coincide with the exhibition. Featuring contributions by fashion experts and designers, it will shed further light on the late Queen’s fashion archive – as well as her enduring relationship with Britain’s fashion landscape.

What’s On Display?

With over 200 items on display – some for the very first time – Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style will explore all 10 decades of the monarch’s life through her sense of style. Pulling on clothing, jewellery, hats, shows and accessories, as well as never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples and handwritten correspondence, the exhibition aims to showcase how the late Queen constructed (and evolved) her signature look within her lifetime.

Queen Elizabeth II when Princess Elizabeth of York, Elliott & Fry, 1934

Some of the highlights on display include:

• A silver lamé and tulle bridesmaid dress, designed by Edward Molyneux, that Elizabeth wore aged eight for the 1934 wedding of her uncle, the Duke of Kent, to Princess Marina of Greece
• The royal’s wedding dress, worn for her nuptials to Prince Philip in 1947
• Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, worn in 1953
• Eveningwear from over the decades, designed by the likes of Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas
• Riding jackets, tartan skirts and silk headscarves that exhibit the late Queen’s love of British tailoring and the great outdoors

Where & When?

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style will run at The King’s Gallery (Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA) in 2026. Official dates are not confirmed, but the exhibition is expected to run from spring until autumn.

How To Get Tickets For Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style

Tickets go on sale in November 2025 – you can sign up for updates on the exhibition (and when tickets drop) via the Royal Collection Trust’s official newsletter. rct.uk