Five of Queen Elizabeth II’s most iconic outfits – from new royal exhibit

Five Iconic Looks from Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Exhibition

A new display at The King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace highlights key moments in the Queen’s 70-year reign, offering insight into how her fashion choices mirrored Britain’s evolution. The exhibition, marking the centenary of her birth on 10 April, features 200 items—including garments, accessories, and jewels—selected to showcase the monarch’s enduring sartorial legacy.

Tradition Meets Symbolism in the 1950s Ensemble

One standout piece is a Harris tweed jacket paired with a Balmoral Tartan skirt, first worn by the Queen in the 1950s. Designed by her longtime dressmaker Norman Hartnell, the outfit combined practicality with deliberate symbolism. While modest in appearance, it projected an image of stability and national pride, as noted by royal fashion analyst Marian Kwei.

“The fabrics were crafted to highlight British fashion, excellence, and production. The feminine cut and subdued tones carried connotations of stability, dependence, and soft power,” Kwei explained. “It’s ‘I’m in charge,’ without being too loud about it.”

Coronation Dress: A Global Statement

Another featured item is the 1953 Coronation dress, also by Hartnell. Made from Kent-sourced silk and adorned with gold bugle beads, diamantés, and pearls, it showcased British craftsmanship. The design included floral emblems representing the UK’s four nations and, at the Queen’s request, symbols from Commonwealth countries like Canada and India.

“The gown was pretty much a nod to Britain and the Commonwealth,” Kwei remarked. “Her sartorial choice was an indication of the kind of Queen we had and how she reigned.”

The 1957 Green Gown and Its Ambiguity

In 1957, the Queen donned an elaborate sleeveless green gown for a state banquet in Washington DC. Hartnell’s design, though stunning, sparked debate over its symbolic meaning. “It’s absolutely beautiful, but I can’t quite see an overt reference to the message she was trying to convey,” said exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut.

“The ‘apple crisp green’ color might subtly nod to America, given New York’s nickname and the cultural significance of apples in American identity,” Kwei added. “The dress says, ‘I’m Britain’s sovereign, this is us, but I’m also nodding to you.'”

Enduring Influence on Modern Design

Despite its traditional aesthetic, the Queen’s style left a lasting mark on contemporary fashion. Luxury brand Miu Miu’s 2024 Balmoral collection reimagined her tartan kilts, demonstrating the enduring appeal of her choices. Author Elizabeth Holmes emphasized how early in her reign, the Queen used clothing to assert her presence on a global stage. “Her outfits helped establish her as a glamorous young woman in a male-dominated world,” Holmes noted.

Holmes also highlighted Hartnell’s designs, which often featured a fitted waist and full skirt. “These pieces accentuated her femininity rather than masking it, reinforcing her regal yet approachable image,” she observed.