Description: Follow the evolution of Queen Elizabeth II's style in the first archive of her fashion, on display at Buckingham Palace in 2026.
Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most stylish and recognizable women of the twentieth century, and her fashions have influenced subsequent generations of designers. Her ensembles were seen on a global stage and designed with purpose, with consciously selected colors and accessories that would serve to have a subtle diplomatic effect when on tour or meeting heads of state. Queen Elizabeth II was acutely aware of the impact of her dress when performing public duties, and her unmistakable off-duty and ready-to-wear style was equally elegant and quintessentially British. Caroline de Guitaut explores Queen Elizabeth II's fashion archive in detail here for the first time, from favorite childhood dresses and stylish daywear ensembles to exquisite evening gowns and uniquely tailored ceremonial dresses, and documents changes in royal fashion during the seventy years of her reign. Queen Elizabeth II also celebrates the work of renowned fashion designers such as Sir Norman Hartnell and Sir Hardy Amies and the unique relationship they had with the late Queen through accessories, fashion sketches, design albums, correspondence, and other archival material. The Queen remained a steadfast supporter of British fashion throughout her life, from the couturiers of the 1940s to the creation of an award in her name by the British Fashion Council in 2018.Brief description: Caroline de Guitaut is Surveyor of the King's Works of Art at the Royal Collection Trust. She has curated numerous exhibitions with a particular emphasis on couture and the decorative arts, including Fashioning a Reign, winner of the Walpole Award for the Best British Cultural Experience in 2016. Her publications include Royal Fabergé and Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration, and she is co-author of Russia: Art, Royalty and the Romanovs.
Review Quotes:
"Draws on new archival research. . . revealing in the process just how closely Elizabeth was involved in every stage of her wardrobe's creation and documentation. Sometimes annotating design sketches herself, she was building a unique record of her reign with every stitch. Elizabeth's fashion archive comprises around 4,000 pieces and has formally entered the Royal Collection--making it the largest surviving dress collection of any female British sovereign or consort."
--Amanda Matta "The Fascinator"