Queen Elizabeth's 1953 Coronation Dress Will Be Displayed at Windsor Castle
Queen Elizabeth II's coronation gown and robe are going on display in honor of her Platinum Jubilee.
The iconic white duchess satin dress and purple silk-velvet robe, which the monarch wore for her coronation at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, will be shown as part of a Platinum Jubilee exhibit at Windsor Castle from July 7 to September 26, in honor of the queen's 70 years on the throne.
The exhibit will also include several brooches worn by the monarch on visits to Commonwealth countries throughout her reign.
Designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, the short-sleeved gown included a lattice-work effect and hand-embroidered floral emblems signifying the nations of the U.K. and the Commonwealth, which were made of gold and silver thread and pastel silks, encrusted with seed pearls, sequins, and crystals.
The Robe of the Estate, which is more than 6.5 meters long from the shoulder to the end of the train, was made of English silk by the royal robe-makers Ede and Ravenscroft, and included embroidered wheat ears and olive branches symbolizing prosperity and peace, made of 18 different types of gold thread.
The dress and robe were first displayed together in a Buckingham Palace exhibit in 2013, which included an array of dresses, uniforms and robes worn at the historic coronation.
The U.K. will recognize the monarch's record-breaking reign with a four-day public holiday weekend starting June 2. The events and exhibitions will include a Service of Thanksgiving for the queen’s reign at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and her official birthday parade on June 2, Trooping the Colour.
The queen is currently relaxing at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, where she is taking a "short break" before the Jubilee weekend, per a Buckingham Palace source. All members of the Royal Family are expected to take part in the celebration, including Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, who are returning to the U.K. for the festivities.
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