Overview
- The centenary exhibition opened Friday at the King’s Gallery, with early weeks sold out and dates set through October 18.
- Royal Collection Trust selected about 300 garments from an archive of roughly 4,000, with about half on public view for the first time under curator Caroline de Guitaut.
- Two matching Angela Kelly dresses from the 2012 Olympics stunt are displayed side by side, including the stunt double’s version with sewn‑in bloomers and a parachute zip.
- The show spans childhood to state occasions with pieces like the wedding and coronation gowns, a wall of more than 50 hats, signature handbags and clear umbrellas, plus off‑duty tweeds.
- Exhibit notes explain how she used vivid color and national emblems as diplomatic signals, and the finale highlights her influence on designers such as Erdem, Richard Quinn and Christopher Kane.