WHAT? Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style

WHERE? The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

WHEN? Now until 18th October

WHY GO? For the majesty of monarchy. Offering a window into the style and magnificence of pomp and glory, this brilliantly curated exhibition analyses the late Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe throughout her long and steady reign and leaves us with the lasting conviction that she was the ultimate style icon for monarchy.

No one understood soft power dressing quite like the Queen, who appreciated that her role required stand-out confidence and used colour to that effect, often referencing signature colours of the countries she visited as a token of respect.

Her designers, like Hardy Amies and Angela Kelly, were chosen for their discretion, guiding her towards a tailored ‘uniform’, especially in latter years, though when she was younger, she was not averse to Pucci-type prints and shorter hemlines.

Nothing she wore would frighten the corgis, and indeed her dog-walking Harris tweeds and tartan skirts designed by Hartnell in the Fifties were forever her favourite off-duty looks.

This glorious display, over 200 items, includes her signature Launer bags, Rayne shoes and, of course, hats galore. It’s a treasure trove of craftsmanship in this age of fast fashion.

Nothing, though, is more poignant than revisiting images of the Queen smiling at Balmoral beneath a printed headscarf; she certainly knew how to tie a perfect knot!

IN THE KNOW The exhibition commemorates the century of Queen Elizabeth’s birth, with her two most celebrated gowns triumphantly displayed. Hartnell designed both the Queen’s wedding dress in 1947 and Coronation gown in 1953, and intimate details regarding how they were constructed illustrate the magnificence of Royal couture.