Queen Elizabeth II's Wardrobe Opens Up Like Never Before in New Centenary Publication
A new book offering unprecedented access to the late Queen's 4,000-piece fashion archive will be published in March as part of celebrations marking what would have been her 100th birthday
The secrets behind Queen Elizabeth II's iconic wardrobe are about to be revealed in extraordinary detail. Royal Collection Trust has announced a major new publication that will take readers behind the scenes of the most significant royal fashion archive in modern British history.
Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, written by Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of The King's Works of Art, will be published on 26 March 2026. The book accompanies Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, the largest exhibition of the late monarch's clothing ever staged, opening at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace on 10 April 2026.
A Fashion Archive of 4,000 Pieces
At around 4,000 pieces, Queen Elizabeth II's fashion archive is the largest surviving dress collection of any female British Sovereign or consort. The new publication draws on extensive research and features over 400 images, including previously unseen sketches, fabric swatches, and historic photographs that illuminate the extraordinary craft and collaboration behind the late Queen's wardrobe.
The book reveals just how closely involved Queen Elizabeth II was in creating her looks. On a black-and-white sketch by Hardy Amies for a glamorous dress intended for the 1961 tour of India, Pakistan and Nepal, the Queen herself wrote "Yellow satin"—yellow being a significant colour in those countries, representing health and prosperity.
From Princess to Queen
Through thematic chapters, a timeline, and profiles of the designers who helped define her look—notably Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies—the book charts the life of Britain's longest-reigning monarch from birth to adulthood, from Princess to Queen.
Opening chapters trace Princess Elizabeth's early relationship with fashion, from her first pieces of couture to the development of a fashion-forward personal style during the rise of London as a couture centre to rival Paris. Highlights include the satin and cotton Chantilly dress worn for her father's Coronation in 1937, and day dresses inspired by Dior's famous New Look from the late 1940s and early 1950s.
The Famous "Royal Uniform"
The publication explores the precision behind Queen Elizabeth's famous formula: brightly coloured day dress, coat and matching hat, accessorised with a pearl necklace. This signature look was inherited from Queen Mary, who proved particularly influential on her granddaughter's chosen style for official duties.
Subsequent chapters examine ceremonial dress, military uniforms, and tailoring, while an exploration of the Queen's off-duty style reveals a more personal dimension—riding jackets, tweed suits, silk headscarves, and tartan skirts that speak to her lifelong fondness for horses and the outdoors.
Unexpected Accessories and Experimental Headwear
A final chapter devoted to accessories showcases an array of colourful and unexpected choices. The Queen's hats, in particular, reveal a surprisingly experimental side—from the turban-like styles of the 1960s to what the book describes as the "flying saucers" of the 1980s and 1990s. Her famous handbags, gloves, shoes, and jewellery also feature prominently.
A Lasting Influence on Fashion Today
The book includes a foreword by Dame Anna Wintour and interviews with contemporary designers Christopher Kane, Erdem Moralioglu, and Richard Quinn, revealing how Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe continues to influence fashion today. An essay by Amy de la Haye, Professor of Dress History and Curatorship at London College of Fashion, places the archive in the context of the British fashion industry.
Throughout, the publication celebrates not only the famous designers but also the many hidden hands whose exceptional craftsmanship helped define a reign spanning more than 70 years of public life.
Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style by Caroline de Guitaut is published 26 March 2026, priced at £40.00. Available from Royal Collection Trust Shops, royalcollectionshop.co.uk, and all good bookshops.
