Queen Elizabeth's First Piece of Clothing to Go On Display

Queen Elizabeth holding King Charles at his christening; Prince Charles and Princess Diana holding Prince William at his christening — (Image credit: Royal Collection Trust; Getty Images)

The largest exhibition of Queen Elizabeth's clothing ever staged is set to open at Buckingham Palace in April, and on Monday, March 2, the Royal Collection Trust announced that one sentimental item that's never been on public display will be included. The delicate lace christening gown worn by 62 royal babies will join approximately 200 items from the late Queen's fashion archive in "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style."

The exhibit, which opens April 10 at The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace, will explore Queen Elizabeth's life through her fashion and coincides with what would have been her 100th birthday. Her incredible lace robe was first worn by Queen Victoria's eldest child, Princess Victoria, for her 1841 christening and went on to be worn by everyone from Queen Elizabeth and her children to Prince William and Prince Harry.

After deeming the robe "too delicate" to be used again, the late Queen had an exact copy made in 2004, per the Royal Collection Trust. Modern royal babies including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince Archie have worn the new version of the gown.

Queen Elizabeth surrounded by her parents, grandparents and godparents at her christening in 1926 — Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) is pictured with her parents, grandparents and godparents at her 1926 christening.

The royal christening gown — Queen Elizabeth's christening gown will be included in the new exhibition "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style."

Queen Victoria holding the future King Edward at his christening — Queen Victoria holds Prince Edward, who would go on to become King Edward VIII—and later, the Duke of Windsor—at his christening in 1894.

"The christening robe was the most significant garment worn by Princess Elizabeth in her infancy and is an exceptional example of British craftsmanship—something Queen Elizabeth went on to champion throughout her life," exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut said in a statement.

"As the earliest piece of clothing worn by The Queen, and by so many royal babies before and after her, it holds a special place in her wardrobe," she continued.

The christening robe, made by Queen Victoria's Scottish dressmaker, Janet Sutherland, was crafted from the same materials as Victoria's wedding dress: fine Honiton lace made in Devon, England and cream Spitalfields silk from East London. The exhibit will also include a handwritten note by Queen Elizabeth documenting all of the babies who wore the gown through the 1970s.

In addition, the late Queen's coronation gown and wedding dress will also be included in the blockbuster fashion exhibition.

"Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" will be held at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from April 10 through October 18.

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Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.