A look inside Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style at Buckingham Palace

For as long as I can remember, I’ve admired Queen Elizabeth II – her commitment to her country, her unwavering faith and, of course, her brilliantly colourful wardrobe. 

So stepping inside Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, felt particularly special.

Opening to the public today (April 10) and running until October 18, the exhibition brings together more than 300 pieces from the late monarch’s wardrobe – over half on display for the very first time – and marks the centenary of her birth. 

It is the largest exhibition ever dedicated to her fashion, spanning everything from wedding jewellery to a newly unveiled tiara, as well as treasured pieces from her childhood. 

I can confidently say it’s a true visual feast, with something remarkable at every turn. 

When I think of Queen Elizabeth’s style, I’m reminded of her signature use of colour – particularly in later life – alongside the exquisite evening gowns of her younger years and her iconic wedding dress. 

Seeing the latter displayed in all its glory was a real highlight. Styled on a mannequin with her 13-foot silk tulle veil and satin sandals, and crowned with Queen Mary’s Diamond Fringe Tiara, the ensemble is particularly captivating – inviting onlookers to pause and take in every intricate detail. It’s even more breathtaking in person. 

Created by British couturier Norman Hartnell for her 1947 wedding to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the gown carried deep symbolic meaning for a nation emerging from war. It was paid for using rationing coupons and became a powerful emblem of hope and renewal. 

The duchesse satin design, inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera, is exquisitely embroidered with floral motifs symbolising rebirth, including roses, jasmine and ears of wheat, worked in silver and gold thread.

It’s adorned with 10,000 tiny pearls – reportedly imported from the United States by Hartnell’s manager, who declared them at customs and paid the duty – which shimmer beautifully under the gallery lights.

A sweeping train completes the look, while a hidden four-leaf clover stitched into the skirt serves as a quiet token of good fortune – an intimate detail that feels all the more special up close. 

Known for her meticulously coordinated wardrobe, Queen Elizabeth understood the power of fashion, often relying on bold hues to ensure she stood out in any crowd.

For more than 25 years, she collaborated with her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser, Angela Kelly, to create outfits that were not only elegant but also carefully considered in terms of cultural significance and symbolism.

Many of her instantly recognisable coats and dresses are now on display, offering a reminder of the intention behind her public image. 

Walking through this section, I gained a real sense of her personality and attention to detail. The floor-to-ceiling display of coats – spanning every colour of the spectrum – is complemented by more than 50 hats, from the turbans and berets of the 1960s and 70s to the sculptural ‘flying saucers’ of the 1980s and 90s. 

Together with perfectly coordinated handbags, gloves and shoes, the display captures both the precision and subtle playfulness behind her wardrobe. 

Visitors will also see garments worn at defining moments in the nation’s history.

From the Coronation dress, which marked the beginning of a new Elizabethan era, to the Tudor-inspired ensemble worn for Prince Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales, each piece tells a story. 

Outfits from the Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees chart the key milestones of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable 70-year reign. 

For the first time, her off-duty wardrobe is also explored, revealing a more practical side to her style – including impeccably tailored riding clothes, tweed suits and weatherproof pieces by Burberry, Angela Kelly and Hardy Amies – highlighting her appreciation for both craftsmanship and function.  

It is equally fascinating to see the accessories that defined her signature aesthetic. Launer London handbags, silk headscarves, coordinated shoes and gloves, and transparent, colour-trimmed umbrellas by Fulton all speak to the consistency and care behind every look. 

What struck me most was just how early the monarch’s relationship with fashion began. 

The exhibition thoughtfully traces her style from childhood through to her first encounters with couture, offering a fascinating glimpse into how her signature look was shaped over time. 

Among the highlights are charming pieces from her early years, including her historic christening robe, tiny ballet shoes and even a fairy costume. 

I made a beeline for the royal christening gown, worn by 62 royal babies, which has never been displayed until now. 

Made 185 years ago for Queen Victoria’s eldest child, Princess Victoria, the gown was worn by successive generations, including Queen Elizabeth at her own christening in 1926.

Its display at The King’s Gallery is especially poignant, as the site stands where the future Queen was christened before the chapel was destroyed in the Blitz. 

Crafted from cream Spitalfields silk and Honiton lace by Janet Sutherland, Queen Victoria’s dressmaker, the gown naturally became fragile over time. By 2004, Queen Elizabeth commissioned an exact replica, now used for every royal christening. 

The original robe has undergone 100 hours of conservation by Royal Collection Trust textile conservator Cecilia Oliver ahead of display. 

Visitors can also see a handwritten note by Queen Elizabeth, listing some of the royal babies who wore the gown – a tradition begun by her grandmother, Queen Mary.

The note highlights the robe’s importance as a treasured heirloom and symbol of continuity within the Royal Family, and it’s deeply moving to see. 

Nearby, beautiful gold lamé dresses, made for Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret by Jeanne Lanvin, are displayed with dolls in matching outfits. 

Jewel-toned velvet coats by Norman Hartnell from the late 1940s reflect her transition into public life and the influence of the post-war New Look.

Alongside a spectacular central display of evening gowns, I was struck by the collection of jewellery spanning nearly every decade of Queen Elizabeth’s life. 

Among the highlights are deeply personal items given or loaned by close family for significant occasions. 

Her wedding jewellery is particularly special: the Queen Caroline and Queen Anne pearl necklaces were gifts from her parents, while Queen Mary’s Diamond Fringe Tiara – displayed publicly for the first time in almost 20 years – was created for her grandmother and lent to the young bride by her mother.

Elsewhere, more intimate pieces offer a glimpse into her personal life, including a bracelet designed by Prince Philip to mark their fifth wedding anniversary. 

The Queen Elizabeth II Aquamarine Tiara and Burmese Ruby Tiara – both commissioned by the Queen – are also on display, with the latter shown for the very first time.

Throughout the exhibition, I felt I was given a rare glimpse behind the scenes of what it took to dress one of the most recognisable women in the world.

Previously unseen archival materials – from invoices and fabric samples to design sketches annotated in her own hand – offer a fascinating insight into how closely Queen Elizabeth II worked with her couturiers, and just how invested she was in every element of her wardrobe. 

It’s a rare and intimate portrait of a woman who understood the power of fashion better than anyone – and whose style legacy remains as influential as ever.