One of the most famous royal dresses ever made, and one that ripped up the regal rule book, is being revealed to the public in all its glory.

Royal watchers in London are in for a major treat with an historic royal coronation gown set to go on display at Buckingham Palace. 

Queen Alexandra’s 1902 coronation gown will be on display in The Edwardians: Age of Elegance at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace beginning on Friday, 11 April. 

From the time her engagement to Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Albert Edward, then-Prince of Wales was announced, Princess Alexandra of Denmark was considered a fashion icon. The princess silhouette was named for the stylish royal and women across the United Kingdom and Europe would copy her fashion choices. In a truly strange style influence, some women even began to limp, imitating Alexandra whose limp was the result of illness. 

Queen Alexandra began a now beloved tradition with her coronation gown – she requested that the dress include the national emblems of Great Britain, the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock. 

While the Royal Family tend to turn to British designers and dressmakers for their most important gowns now, Alexandra looked further afield She asked Lady Curzon, the wife of the Viceroy of India, to have the dress made for her in India. A year earlier, Queen Alexandra had been so impressed with the quality and uniqueness of Lady Curzon’s wardrobe of Indian-made fabrics and garments that she wanted them to be used in her gown. 

The blockbuster exhibition will also include King Edward VII’s coronation mantle, as well as the coronation thrones used by him and Queen Alexandra and their official portraits. 

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance will be running at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace from 11 April to 23 November 2025.