The gown, which cost $42,000 at the time, will be part of an exhibit in honor of what would have been the late monarch's 100th birthday.
Published on July 21, 2025 12:00PM
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Key Takeaways
- Queen Elizabeth's iconic wedding dress will go on display at the King's Gallery in Buckingham Palace next year as part of a fashion exhibit in honor of what would have been her 100th birthday.
- In addition to her wedding dress, royal fans will be able to see 200 of Queen Elizabeth's fashion-forward outfits and accessories, including her coronation gown, her beloved headscarves, and more.
- Information about dates and how to purchase tickets won't be available until November of 2025, but the exhibit is slated to open in spring of 2026.
When Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, she debuted a statement-making wedding dress by British designer Norman Hartnell. Over the course of her engagement, Elizabeth worked with Hartnell to perfect her big-day look—the designer submitted 12 different gown designs for her to consider before they ultimately settled on her long-sleeved gown with intricate embroidery, 10,000 pearl accents, and 13-foot silk tulle train. Soon, that stunning bridal gown will be on full display for anyone who wants to see the details up close.
According to People, Buckingham Palace is in the process of organizing "the largest-ever" display of the late monarch's outfits, which will open in spring of 2026 in honor of what would have been Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday. The exhibit will be held at the King's Gallery in Buckingham Palace, and it's being hosted by the Royal Collection Trust. All in, visitors will be able to see 200 different outfits that Elizabeth wore throughout her reign, and nearly half of these looks have never been on display before.
"Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognisable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers," Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibit's curator, said in a statement, per People. The outlet also reports that the exhibit will "be accompanied by a book, Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, written by de Guitau."
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Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress, which cost $42,000 at the time (or the equivalent of $1.6 million today), was the most expensive bridal gown ever worn by a royal bride. The pearls that studded her dress were imported from the United States, and she purchased some portions of the gown using wartime ration coupons—some British families even tried to help support the monarch by sending their own ration coupons to help cover costs.
In addition to her wedding dress, fans will be able to see Queen Elizabeth's coronation gown, created by the same designer as her bridal look, evening gowns, skirts, a selection of her favorite accessories (including her go-to head scarves), sketches, and fabric swatches.
The dates of the exhibit and information about how to purchase tickets will be available via the Royal Collection Trust's website in November.
