'Dress codes' exhibition at Kensington Palace showcasing never-before-seen items of royal clothing

Explore the unseen fashions of royal icons including Princess Diana at Kensington Palace's new exhibitionplaceholder image
Explore the unseen fashions of royal icons including Princess Diana at Kensington Palace's new exhibition | AFP via Getty Images
‘Dress Codes’ will showcase items worn by Princess Diana, Queen Victoria, and a young Queen Elizabeth II

A new exhibition at Kensington Palace will showcase never-before-seen royal fashions worn by the likes of Princess Diana and Queen Victoria.

Visitors will be able to explore the codes and conventions of royal clothing and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed and dress codes evolve.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Among the highlights of this exhibition are pieces worn by a young Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Princess Margaret, and Queen Victoria.

Dress Codes showcases both recognisable and rarely-seen treasures from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a collection of 10,000 objects spanning 500 years, cared for by Historic Royal Palaces.

Stunning items from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection on display in 2025 include an extremely rare Japanese court suit dating from the early 20th century, and a never-before-seen 1920s Reville court dress worn to Buckingham Palace.

The exhibition has been described by Tatler as “ a couture-clad history lesson of the highest calibre.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Dress Codes exhibition is running at Kensington Palace until 30th November 2025. Tickets to the exhibition are included in Palace admission. Book yours here.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice