Buckingham Palace’s King’s Gallery has opened a captivating new exhibition, “The Edwardians: Age of Elegance,” showcasing over 300 royal artifacts, including Queen Alexandra’s iconic gold coronation dress. On display for the first time in more than 30 years, the dress highlights the glamour and transformation of Britain’s royal family at the dawn of the 20th century.
The exhibition explores the lavish lifestyles of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary, set against a backdrop of cultural change and impending conflict. The show delves into royal fashion, opulence, and societal shifts during a period of great historical significance. Narrated by Hugh Bonneville of Downton Abbey, the multimedia guide immerses visitors in the drama and elegance of the Edwardian era.
Queen Alexandra’s coronation dress, designed by the Parisian fashion house Morin Blossier, was a revolutionary choice for the time. Unlike the traditional white gowns worn by previous coronation queens, Alexandra opted for a stunning gold fabric sewn with thousands of spangles, designed to sparkle under the electric lights installed in Westminster Abbey. The dress also marked the first inclusion of Britain’s national emblems — rose, thistle, and shamrock — a tradition that continues to this day.
Accompanying the dress are various royal treasures, including the diamond necklace and earrings gifted to Alexandra by Edward VII, her ostrich feather fan adorned with diamonds, and the couple’s cloth-of-gold coronation mantle. Visitors can also view the royal thrones, designed by a French firm, and the iconic state portraits by Sir Samuel Luke Fildes.
Additionally, the exhibition showcases rare royal memorabilia, including Sir Edward Elgar’s Coronation Ode, the first public display of paintings by Laurits Tuxen, and items from the royal family’s domestic lives, such as family snapshots taken by Alexandra herself and exquisite Fabergé sculptures.
“The Edwardians: Age of Elegance” is a fascinating glimpse into the opulence, tradition, and modernity of early 20th-century British royalty, offering visitors a chance to experience a golden age on the cusp of monumental historical change. The exhibition runs from Friday, 11 April, and promises to be a memorable exploration of royal fashion and history.