2 min readA royal christening robe worn by 62 royal babies including Queen Elizabeth II is to go on display for the first time. The intricate Honiton lace garment will be shown as part of Buckingham Palace exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, opening this spring.
The robe was first made for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest child, Princess Victoria, in 1941. It was subsequently worn by generations of royal babies, including then Princess Elizabeth in 1926, then Prince Charles in 1948, and Prince William in 1982. The last royal to wear the original gown was Lady Louise in 2004, after which it was decided it had become too delicate, and Queen Elizabeth commissioned a replica. The replica has been worn at royal christenings since, including those of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince Archie (Princess Lilibet was christened in California and is not believed to have wore the gown).
Princess Charlotte and Prince George hold Prince William’s hands as they arrive at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London for the christening of their brother, Prince Louis.
“The christening robe was the most significant garment worn by Princess Elizabeth in her infancy and is an exceptional example of British craftsmanship – something Queen Elizabeth went on to champion throughout her life,” said exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut. “As the earliest piece of clothing worn by the Queen, and by so many royal babies before and after her, it holds a special place in her wardrobe. We are delighted to be able to share it with as many people as possible in this centenary year.”
The robe is one of approximately 200 items to be shown in exhibit Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, which marks 100 years since Queen Elizabeth’s birth. The milestone exhibition will chart her iconic style across 10 decades and is the largest-ever display of her clothes. A handwritten note by Queen Elizabeth will also be shown alongside the christening gown.
“Made of cream Spitalfields silk from East London and overlaid with fine Honiton lace made in Devon, the robe was created by Janet Sutherland, Queen Victoria’s Scottish dressmaker and embroider to the Queen,” the Royal Collection Trust said today in a statement.
“Although the silks used were the finest available at the time – Queen Victoria’s wedding dress had also been made of Spitalfields silk and Honiton lace – silk is naturally susceptible to degradation.” As such, the original robe is said to have undergone 100 hours of conservation treatment ahead of going on display.
Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style opens at Buckingham Palace on April 10.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.