With the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II fast approaching, the biggest ever exhibition of her fashion is set to open at Buckingham Palace tomorrow
The late Queen’s incredible 70-year reign saw her always stick to the old saying ‘I have to be seen to be believed’. And the biggest-ever exhibition of Elizaebth II’s fashion, which opens at Buckingham Palace tomorrow, shows exactly how she made sure she lived up to her own words.
Called Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, the exhibition showcases more than 300 pieces, including colourful dresses, hats, shoes, handbags and even a rare pair of trousers that belonged to the former monarch, with nearly half of them being displayed for the public for the very first time.
And the Mirror had a preview of the show, which comes ahead of the centenary of her birth later this month, before it opened to the public. It charts her evolution from young princess to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, exploring how fashion became one of her most powerful tools of communication – even though the most important aspect of her outfits was practicality.
Exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut spent 18 months putting together the show, going through the thousands of items, many kept in pristine condition, which ended up in the care of the Royal Collection of Trust after her death in September 2022.
Ms de Guitant, who is also Surveyor of the King’s Works of Art, said: “I think she had a definite sense of what suited her. She absolutely knew how she wanted to appear. “Of course, they [designers] would insert whatever the contemporary prevailing fashion of the time.
“But at the end of the day, it’s down to practicality, it’s down to what enables her to carry out her duties, I think, that was always there, that was always present.”
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at the King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, will run from April 10 to October 18.
