\n
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n
Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe dress worn by Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s stunt double during the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, complete with its distinctive bloomers, is now on display as part of a new exhibition showcasing the late monarch\u2019s wardrobe.<\/p>\n
Designed by Angela Kelly, the unique garment features sown-in Victorian-style bloomers and a large zip at the back, specifically to accommodate a parachute. <\/p>\n
Two identical versions of the dress are on public display for the first time.<\/p>\n
The Queen famously took part in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, appearing to millions to skydive into the Olympic Stadium from a helicopter with James Bond<\/em> actor Daniel Craig, after he escorted her from Buckingham Palace. <\/p>\nHer stunt double performed the daring leap above the arena.<\/p>\n
The exhibition, which has already sold out its first few weeks with thousands of tickets snapped up, also features her trademark headscarves, see-through Fulton umbrellas, tweed suits, and lavish dresses worn at state occasions. <\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/div>
A peach cocktail dress designed by Angela Kelly and worn by Queen Elizabeth II at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThese items, once kept in her private apartments, have been under the care of the Royal Collection since her death in September 2022.<\/p>\n
Exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut said: \u201cI think she had a definite sense of what suited her. She absolutely knew how she wanted to appear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opening on Friday at the King\u2019s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style<\/em> will bring together around 300 garments and items from the Queen\u2019s wardrobe for the largest exhibition staged of her clothing.<\/p>\nSpanning 10 decades, the show charts her evolution from young princess to Britain\u2019s longest-reigning monarch, exploring how fashion became one of her most powerful tools of communication.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/div>
Queen Elizabeth II sits with Anna Wintour (third left), Caroline Rush (left), chief executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC) and royal dressmaker Angela Kelly (fourth left) at London Fashion Week (Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nColour was important element of the monarchy\u2019s soft power and the Queen used it to complement hosts, like the exhibition\u2019s Norman Hartnell gown in green and white, Pakistan\u2019s national colours, worn at a banquet during a 1961 state visit to the Commonwealth nation.<\/p>\n
She opted for bright or distinctive shades at large events like away-days around the country or garden parties so she could be easily spotted by guests.<\/p>\n
The Queen\u2019s off-duty wardrobe is explored for the first time with her tweed suits, worn when relaxing or receiving guests at Balmoral, on display alongside clothes for riding and practical outdoor wear, with Kelly\u2019s thick woollen coat from Elizabeth\u2019s later years featuring alongside items by Burberry and Hardy Amies.<\/p>\n
The Queen adapted her style to suit the period and, speaking about her long list of designers, the curator said: \u201cOf course, they would insert whatever the contemporary prevailing fashion of the time. The hemline \u2013 Hardy Amies said \u2018we went as high as we dared\u2019 in the 60s\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at the end of the day, it\u2019s down to practicality, It\u2019s down to what enables her to carry out her duties, I think,\u00a0that was always there, that was always present.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/div>
The then Princess Elizabeth in 1932 on a visit the Royal Tournament at Olympia in London (PA Archive\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\u201cBut that\u2019s not to say that she doesn\u2019t have this important contribution and interest \u2013 contribution to British fashion, and interest in fashion, which is something that has always been sort of put on the sidelines.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clothes worn at milestone moments during the Queen\u2019s 96-year life are also on display, from the historic christening robe commissioned by Queen Victoria for the baptism of future Edward VII to a wedding dress created by Sir Norman Hartnell and the late monarch\u2019s coronation dress.<\/p>\n
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style<\/em> is at the King\u2019s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, will run from 10 April to 18 October.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more The dress worn by Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s stunt double during the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, complete with its distinctive bloomers, is now on display as part of a new exhibition showcasing the late monarch\u2019s wardrobe. Designed by Angela Kelly, the unique garment features sown-in Victorian-style bloomers and a large zip at the back, specifically to accommodate a parachute. Two identical versions of the dress are on public display for the first time. The Queen famously took part in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, appearing to millions to skydive into the Olympic Stadium from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, after he escorted her from Buckingham Palace. Her stunt double performed the daring leap above the arena. The exhibition, which has already sold out its first few weeks with thousands of tickets snapped up, also features her trademark headscarves, see-through Fulton umbrellas, tweed suits, and lavish dresses worn at state occasions. A peach cocktail dress designed by Angela Kelly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14187,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14186"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14186"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14186\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}