Buckingham Palace Plans Largest Exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II Fashion in 2026

A landmark exhibition titled "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" will open at the King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, in spring 2026 to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth. The largest and most comprehensive display of the late Queen's fashion ever mounted, it will showcase approximately 200 items, including clothing, jewelry, hats, shoes, and accessories spanning all ten decades of her life, with over half exhibited for the first time. Key pieces include her wedding and coronation gowns by Sir Norman Hartnell, a silver lamé bridesmaid dress she wore as a child, and garments highlighting her use of sartorial diplomacy, such as a gown featuring Pakistan's national colors for a 1961 state banquet. The exhibition also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her wardrobe creation through design sketches, fabric samples, and handwritten correspondence, emphasizing her close involvement and the craftsmanship behind each garment. Curator Caroline de Guitaut noted the show will celebrate the Queen's thoughtful style choices and her influence on British fashion and diplomacy. The exhibition will run from spring to autumn 2026, with tickets available starting November 2025.