Queen Elizabeth's Historic Christening Robe Worn by Prince William to Go on Show in Royal First

Simon PerryMon, March 2, 2026 at 1:07 PM UTC

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The christening of Queen Elizabeth II in May 1926Credit: PA Images via Getty -

In a historic first, the Christening robe worn by the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince William is set to go on show

The gown is to be part of a landmark exhibit of the late Queen's clothing and style

The exhibit, at The King's Gallery, adjacent to Buckingham Palace, from April 10, is part of the celebrations to mark what would have been Elizabeth's 100th birthday

A historic Christening robe worn by generations of royal babies, including Queen Elizabeth and most of her grandchildren, including Prince William, is set to go on show.

The robe is to be exhibited for the first time in public as part of a major retrospective of the late Queen’s clothing and fashion.

The Christening robe was created in cream silk from East London and Honiton lace made in Devon, England, 185 years ago, and was first worn by Queen Victoria’s eldest child, Princess Victoria, in 1841. Elizabeth was pictured in it at her Christening when she was a month old in May 1926.

The christening of Prince William, 1982Credit: PA Images via Getty

It is said to have been worn by 62 royal babies, including Prince William in 1982 and his brother Prince Harry and the royal cousins, up to Lady Louise Windsor, the eldest child of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in 2004. But it had become fragile over the years and was repaired in the 1960s until it became too delicate to be worn by subsequent royal babies.

William and Kate Middleton’s three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, wore a replica of the historic robe at their own christening ceremonies.

Thought to be the first time it has gone on show, the robe is one of 200 items that will be unveiled for the public at the landmark exhibition this spring. The Royal Collection’s Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style begins at the King’s Gallery, adjacent to Buckingham Palace on April 10. It runs until Oct. 18, 2026. It is one of the centerpieces of the commemorations of the late monarch's life, around the time of what would have been her 100th birthday.

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The royal christening robe, 1841Credit: Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust.

The gown has undergone 100 hours of painstaking preparation by expert conservators at the Royal Collection. Curator of the exhibition, Caroline de Guitaut, said in a statement on March 2, “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.”

“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.”

Princess Elizabeth after her christening with her parents, grandparents and godparents, 1926Credit: Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust.

The Royal Collection Trust’s textile conservator Cecilia Oliver made repairs of intricate holes and what the trust says were “subtle reinforcements to delicate parts of the fabric.” It was handwashed carefully.

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She said in a statement, “The robe has been lovingly cared for over the generations – we even found a note on its box instructing that it [should] be washed in natural spring water after use, which helps explain its remarkable condition despite such frequent use. However, after 185 years and 62 christenings, it was in need of conservation. It has been an honor and a privilege to work on such a special historic garment.”

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