The Royal Collection has assembled an exhibition of the Queen's clothes to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday

The asymmetric peach dress and feathery headpiece the Queen Elizabeth II wore at the opening of the London Olympics is one of her most famous outfits

Queen Elizabeth II leaving the Belgian Embassy in London after a attending a banquet in her honour given by the Ambassador

In 1963, Queen Elizabeth II wore this shimmering Hartnell gown to a State Banquet at the Belgian Embassy in London. ‘This is an evolution of the “Mermaid” style Hartnell first used in the 30s,’ says Caroline. ‘It’s completely embellished and incredibly glamorous. You can imagine how she sparkled under the lights'

This Hardy Amies suit was worn in 1986 on a State Visit to China, when Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning British monarch to set foot in the country.



This dress has stylish flower petals, sequins, diamante and pearls, some sticking out an inch from the dress
‘Different “hands” would each embroider their own section. These would be put together, then embroidered over the seams before the final fitting.’ With its fitted waist and sweeping skirt, Queen Elizabeth II looked picture perfect.
 

‘The banquet was being held in a palace room renowned for its Rococo decoration, and Amies sent for images so he could echo the décor in the embroidery of the dress.’Queen Elizabeth II later wore the gown for an official portrait by Cecil Beaton in 1968.

This turquoise organza gown was designed by Amies for a State Banquet in Germany in 1965

 

Queen Elizabeth II wore this full-skirted (though avant-garde) dress by Norman Hartnell – who had made her wedding dress and Coronation gown – at a dinner in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1957.  This dress was made of white duchesse satin with circular embroidery. ‘This one has stylish flower petals, sequins, diamante and pearls, some sticking out an inch from the dress.’ The process was elaborate. A sample would be sent to the Queen first, then a toile made to fit her.

It’s simple yet stunning, reflecting the new A-line shape of the 60s and 70s says curator Caroline. The other great British couturier used by Queen Elizabeth II was Hardy Amies. A wartime lieutenant-colonel in the Special Operations Executive, he was an unlikely spymaster turned Queen-maker.

Queen Elizabeth II in a soft purple light wool suit by Hardy Amies and ‘The hat is by Freddie Fox in 1986 visiting The Great Wall of China with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh At Badaling Near Peking. Tthe Queen became the first reigning British monarch to set foot in the country

Norman Hartnell also designed the beautifully tailored two-tone green dress worn by Queen Elizabeth II (R) during a State Visit to Austria in 1969, where she’s pictured with Princess Anne, and to Mexico in 1975

Queen Elizabeth II, pictured at the garden party in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in 1967

Queen Elizabeth II, pictured in a Sir Norman Hartnell green and white floral silk day dress in 1977, was a head-turner

Queen Elizabeth II , wearing the Coronation dress designed by Norman Hartnell for her Coronation. Official Coronation portrait 2nd June 1953

Queen Elizabeth II pictured for an official portrait in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in 1968.  The Queen wearing a turquoise dress Designed by Savile Row’s Hardy Amies, made from organza silk, sequins, silver thread, beads and pearls and was worn to an official state banquet.  The Queen first wore this turquoise dress in 1965 when she became the first British head of state to visit Germany after World War II.

Queen Elizabeth II pictured at the state banquet in Menelik Palace, Addis Ababa, during her visit to Ethiopia in February 1965

Queen Elizabeth II often uses her clothes to pay tribute to the nation that is hosting her, a trend that dates back to her 1953 coronation (pictured) when she had the emblems of all her realms sewn into her dress

Queen Elizabeth is shown in this royal command portrait, in a white satin evening gown embroidered in gold and pearls,. She wears the Rib and Star of the Order of the Garter, and a diamond and emerald tiara and necklace formerly belonging to the late Queen Mary. The rest of the Monarch's jewelry consists of a diamond and emerald bracelet and wrist watch.

Queen Elizabeth II wears the Diamond Diadem made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell (Rundells) as she arrives at the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament on November 6, 2007 in London, England.

In 1956 the Queen, then 30, had the unenviable task of meeting Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot at a high profile film premier. She dressed carefully for the occasion in a black velvet off the shoulder evening dress by the legendary couturier Norman Hartnell

 The Investiture of The Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle on July 1, 1969. Prince Charles kneels before the HRH Queen Elizabeth II as she places the coronet on his head.

 Outfits worn by Queen Elizabeth II are displayed during a photocall at Buckingham Palace on July 21, 2016 in London, England. The piece makes up part of a forthcoming exhibit 'Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style from The Queen's Wardrobe' to coincide with the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace. The exhibit includes outfits worn by the Queen from State events to family celebrations and runs until October 2, 2016. 

Queen Elizabeth II presenting a prize at the Royal Windsor Show in the Seventies