Queen’s Coronation dress and jewels will be showcased at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
- Coronation dress, Robe of Estate and diamond jewels will go on display
- Visitors to St George’s Hall can see embroidered Norman Hartnell gown
- Dress is embellished with housands of seed pearls, sequins and crystals
- On display for the first time is a group of four brooches, representing UK nations
The Queen’s historic Coronation dress, Robe of Estate and diamond jewels have been unveiled at Windsor Castle, ready for public viewing to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
From Thursday visitors will be able to examine Sir Norman Hartnell’s intricate white duchesse satin gown which was worn by the 27-year-old Elizabeth II in 1953.
Embroidered with thousands of seed pearls, sequins and crystals, the design was the last of eight options put to the Queen by British couturier Sir Norman.
The Queen selected the final sketch – a richly embroidered dress featuring a lattice-work effect with an iconographic scheme of floral emblems in gold and silver thread and pastel-coloured silks.
The Queen’s historic Coronation dress is going on display at Windsor Castle for the public to view
Her Majesty’s Sir Norman Hartnell gown will be displayed with the six-and-a-half metre Robe of Estate, made by royal robe-makers Ede & Ravenscroft
But she requested an addition – that the emblems of the seven independent states of which she was monarch be incorporated, together with those of the UK’s home nations.
The six-and-a-half-metre Robe of Estate, made by royal robe-makers Ede & Ravenscroft from English purple silk velvet, is also on show in the impressive St George’s Hall, the largest room in the Berkshire castle.
It took a team of 12 seamstresses, using 18 types of gold thread, 3,500 hours to complete the Queen’s embroidered cipher and the border of wheat ears and olive branches, which symbolise prosperity and peace.
The Queen’s Coronation necklace and earrings will be on display in the Lantern Lobby.
The leading British fashion and photographer Cecil Beaton was chosen to take the official photographs of the Coronation in 1953
Embroidered with thousands of seed pearls, sequins and crystals, the design was the last of eight options put to the Queen by British couturier Sir Norman
Originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858 and comprising 28 diamonds, including the Lahore Diamond gemstone pendant, the necklace was later worn by Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and the Queen Mother at the coronations of 1902, 1911 and 1937.
The Coronation earrings – a pair of round brilliants and two large pear-shaped pendants suspended from cushion-cut diamond collet studs – were also worn by Queen Mary and the Queen Mother.
On display for the first time is a group of four brooches belonging to the Queen, each representing a nation of the United Kingdom, with a sprig of shamrock for Northern Ireland, sprays of daffodils for Wales, thistles for Scotland and roses for England.
The Queen requested that the emblems of the seven independent states of which she was monarch be incorporated, together with those of the UK’s home nations, into the dress
It took a team of 12 seamstresses, using 18 types of gold thread, 3,500 hours to complete the Queen’s embroidered cipher and the border of wheat ears and olive branches on the Robe of Estate
The brooches are made of gold, set with white, pink and yellow diamonds and, for the shamrock, emeralds.
The Queen has worn the brooches on many occasions, often while visiting the different nations.
Also on display are brooches representing the emblems of some Commonwealth countries, including the Canadian Maple-Leaf Brooch, the Flame-Lily Brooch, the emblem of Zimbabwe, the New Zealand Silver Fern Brooch, the Australian Wattle Brooch, and the Sri Lanka Brooch.
The Queen’s Coronation necklace and earrings will be on display in the Lantern Lobby. The necklace was originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858 and comprising 28 diamonds, including the Lahore Diamond gemstone pendant
Also on display are brooches representing the emblems of some Commonwealth countries, including the Canadian Maple-Leaf Brooch
The Queen’s Garter Collar and Collar Badge of Great George, is on display. In addition, on display for the first time is a group of four brooches belonging to the Queen, each representing a nation of the United Kingdom
The leading British fashion and photographer Cecil Beaton was chosen to take the official photographs of the Coronation.
Breaking with tradition, Beaton added an air of theatricality and glamour by photographing the young Queen against a painted backdrop of Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey.
The use of the profile pose provides a sense of tradition and continuity, as monarchs have been depicted in profile on coins, medals, and stamps though the ages.
- Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Coronation will be on show at Windsor Castle from July 7 to September 26 2022 and is included in the price of a general admission ticket. Windsor Castle is open to visitors from Thursday to Monday, remaining closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets and visitor information can be found at rct.uk or on +44 (0)303 123 7304.
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