The exhibition, opening this week at the Royal Gallery, has gathered over 300 items and represents the most comprehensive overview of the Queen's clothing collection to date. Visitors will have the chance to see numerous exhibits, including childhood dresses never before displayed, wedding necklaces, tiaras, as well as the dress worn by her stunt double during the 2012 London Olympics ceremony. Even half of the displayed items are available to the public for the first time. "With over 300 pieces in the exhibition, this is the most thorough review of her clothing collection, which I hope will help visitors understand why fashion was so important in the Queen's role," said Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibition curator. The display covers various stages of the Queen's life, presented through the lens of fashion and her long-standing relationship with fashion designers. Among the exhibited items are pieces from her childhood, including early examples of haute couture. Particular attention is drawn to the silver bridesmaid dress, designed by Edward Molyneux, which the princess wore at the age of eight at the wedding of her uncle, the Duke of Kent, to Princess Marina of Greece in 1934. Also on display are gold dresses created by Jeanne Lanvin for the Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret. The exhibition traces the evolution of her style, as well as personal aspects expressed through clothing. "They were a very exciting discovery. They are fascinating from a fashion history perspective and beautifully illustrate the connection between Paris and London at that time. I think people will learn a bit more about her, and clothing is so personal that it feels like the next best thing to being with that person," says de Guitaut. Known for using striking colors, often chosen for diplomatic purposes as well, the Queen left a strong visual mark. She once stated: "I have to be seen to be believed," further illustrating her approach to dressing. The exhibition also brings a rich display of her hats, over 50 models, from turbans and berets to classic designs. "You can see the unusual side of her style in the hats, some of these styles are very fashion-forward. There is a fearlessness in her hat choices that felt tangible to me," says the curator. In addition to clothing, the exhibition includes numerous fashion accessories and personal items. Among them are her recognizable Launer handbag, Rayne shoes, headscarves, as well as sunglasses, umbrellas, binoculars, and monogrammed cosmetic bags and suitcases from the 1940s and 1950s. Also displayed are archival materials such as invoices, fabric samples, and designer sketches with notes she wrote herself. The Queen's collection numbers over 4,000 pieces, and among the prominent exhibits are evening gowns, like the one from the 1953 Commonwealth tour, as well as a turquoise silk taffeta and tulle dress, the work of Norman Hartnell, which she wore at the wedding of Princess Margaret in 1960. However, the exhibition does not neglect her everyday outfits either. "A tweed jacket, tartan skirt, and headscarf—that look was very influential on contemporary designers, but it was also a style that the Queen fully owned, it was so recognizable as her trademark," she added. As a finale, the exhibition also presents works by contemporary British designers such as Erdem, Richard Quinn, and Christopher Kane, who have paid tribute to the Queen's style and influence through their collections. "I hope visitors will recognize the contribution she made to the fashion industry over many decades and that there is a brilliant archive here that future designers can use and draw inspiration from," concluded de Guitaut.