Decoding the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
Discover never-before-seen royal fashion treasures in Dress Codes, a new exhibition at Kensington Palace.
Explore the codes and conventions of royal clothing, and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed and dress codes evolve.
Among the highlights of this exciting new 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.
Alongside these spectacular examples of royal and court dress, discover how dress codes can be reset and re-made for today through designs by our Young Producers, aged 14-17. This new partnership with local youth groups paves the way for a new generation of young people to contribute to the arts and fashion industries.
Dress Codes has been generously supported by our Associate Partners, the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Avis Charles Associates.
When
Until 30 November 2025
Ticketing Information
Included in palace admission. (Members go free, no pre-booking required)
Buy Kensington Palace ticketsWatch the Dress Codes trailer
Promotional video for the Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace.
Follow the transcript of the Dress Codes trailer on YouTube. A link to open the transcript can be found in the video description.
A couture-clad history lesson of the highest calibre.
Tatler
Royal fashion and more
A selection of celebratory, diplomatic and court dress from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.
Image: © Historic Royal Palaces
Pieces designed by the Young Producers of Dress Codes, inspired by items in the exhibition.
Image: © Historic Royal Palaces
The Jasper Conran orange suit and Catherine Walker evening dress worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Image: © Historic Royal Palaces
Matching Liberty print dresses worn by Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
Image: © Historic Royal Palaces
Princess Margaret's evening dresses, designed by Jose Pitoy Moreno and Thea Porter.
Image: © Historic Royal Palaces
Queen Victoria’s black mourning bodice, a rare survivor from the early years following the death of Prince Albert.
Image: © Historic Royal Palaces
Image: Young Producers visit the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Hampton Court Palace. © Historic Royal Palaces
Pieces designed by Young Producers
In a first for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity has partnered with three local youth groups, with 25 participants aged 14-17 acting as Young Producers on the exhibition. The Young Producers have been an intrinsic part of the development of the exhibition, which has included influencing the exhibition design, making creative responses through storytelling, fashion design and music creation, all of which feature throughout the exhibition to offer a contemporary perspective to the objects.
The final room showcases clothing designed by the Young Producers, inspired by items from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and showing how dress codes can be reset and re-made for today. The partnership demonstrates how the collection is an important source of inspiration today, paving the way for a new generation of young people contributing to the arts and fashion industries.
The works were created over a year-long collaboration between the Young Producers, fashion and music industry professionals and Historic Royal Palaces’ experts, through a series of workshops and on-site tours of the historic collections.
Generously supported by our Associate Partners
Dress Codes has been generously supported by our Associate Partners, the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Avis Charles Associates.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation
Avis Charles Associates
Read more on our blog
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Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection
Over 10,000 items of historic dress
The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection includes 10,000 items dating from the 16th century to the present day - all cared for by Historic Royal Palaces.
Explore what's on
- Things to see
The Jewel Room
The Jewel Room displays commissioned gems for Queen Victoria by her beloved husband Albert.
- Open
- In line with palace opening hours
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- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
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Victoria: A Royal Childhood
Discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace.
- Open
- In line with palace opening hours
- Kensington Palace
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
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The Queen’s State Apartments
Explore the beautiful private rooms at Kensington Palace where Mary II once took her meals, relaxed and entertained.
- Open
- In line with palace opening hours
- Kensington Palace
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
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Queen Victoria
From pampered princess to elderly empress: wife, mother and queen
The story of Kensington Palace
An elegant retreat for Britain's royal family
Kings and queens of the Georgian period
Who were the Georgians – the kings and their queens who gave their name to an era?
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