Dressing for State and Family Occasions

In The Queen's role as Head of State, clothes act as a support, enabling duties to be fulfilled to the best degree. For State occasions particular requirements for dress need to be met.  The Queen must be visible as possible and the ensemble must be appropriate for the occasion.  Included here are examples worn on important occasions in The Queen's life and our national.  These include the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees, the Investiture of The Prince of Wales and the State Opening of Parliament.  The most important State Occasion of The Queen's reign, the Coronation in 1953, is illustrated through the display of Her Majesty's Coronation Dress, one of the most important examples of twentieth century British couture.

Royal Family occasions become important national celebrations.  For these events the couturier has a slightly freer hand, however the designs must still respect The Queen's personal style and also be appropriate for the occasion.

For the first time both The Queen's wedding and Coronation dresses were displayed together, perfectly illustrating the requirements of these two forms of royal dress - state and family.