Royal couple visit Buckingham Palace exhibition celebrating the late monarch’s fashion legacy
King Charles and Queen Camilla paid a visit to a special exhibition at Buckingham Palace honouring the remarkable fashion legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
The royal couple toured “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” at The King’s Gallery on Monday. Their visit marks the beginning of a series of events planned to commemorate what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday.
The exhibition, which opened earlier this month and will run until October, showcases more than 300 pieces from Elizabeth’s wardrobe. The collection traces her style from childhood through her decades on the throne, highlighting how her fashion choices became a defining part of her public image.
Elizabeth, who was born on April 21, 1926, became Britain’s longest-reigning and longest-living monarch. She ruled for 70 years before passing away in September 2022 at the age of 96.
The King and Queen have just viewed the new exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace ahead of events to mark the centenary of her birth tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/6201Ut9AYV
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) April 20, 2026
Her popularity with the public remains strong. A recent YouGov survey found that 81 percent of respondents held a positive view of the late queen, the highest rating among members of the royal family.
Speaking in a BBC documentary broadcast on Sunday, Camilla reflected on Elizabeth’s deep sense of responsibility.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody have a sense of duty like she had,” she said.
Camilla also noted how unusual it was for such a young woman to become monarch in the early 1950s. Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952 at just 25 years old, at a time when female world leaders were rare.
“There weren’t women prime ministers or women presidents,” Camilla explained. “She was the only one, so I think she carved her own role.”
More events are planned this week to honour the late queen. On Tuesday, Charles and other members of the royal family are set to visit the British Museum to review the final designs for a national memorial dedicated to her.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne will open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park in London.
Later that evening, Charles and Camilla will host a reception bringing together representatives from charities Elizabeth supported, along with guests who are also celebrating their 100th birthdays this year.
The commemorations follow the government’s announcement of a new independent charity, the Queen Elizabeth Trust. Backed by £40 million, the initiative will focus on restoring shared community spaces, with Charles serving as its patron.
