As part of its Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Madame Tussauds will display a historic Royal Dress Collection showcasing seven of the gowns that have adorned Her Majesty The Queen’s 24 waxwork figures during her 70-year reign.
From May 27 onwards, for two weeks, Madame Tussauds will exhibit the replica and specially designed gowns and robes.
These include a replica of a Coronation dress, inspired by the design of a tour dress, a recreation of her Order of the Garter mantle, a specially designed Day Dress for the tourist attraction and a French white satin gown from 1956, based on designs worn by her Majesty.
The London tourist attraction will also showcase specially designed gowns for her Madame Tussauds waxworks from 1979 and 1985- a beaded evening gown and a blue and gold topaz gown.
There will also be a specially sewed yellow coat and hat inspired by the Queen’s 2018 outfit.
For two weeks, from May 27 onwards, Madame Tussauds will exhibit the replica and specially designed gowns and robes, pictured
The collection also includes a replica of a Coronation dress, inspired by one worn by the Queen in Nigeria in 1956, pictured, designed by Royal dressmaker Norman Hartnell
Since the first waxwork of Her Majesty was created in 1928, the museum has worked with Buckingham Palace closely on making dresses for the figures, with many created especially for the attraction by Royal dressmakers.
The 1953 Coronation dress is a recreation of one of her tour gowns designed by Royal dressmaker Norman Hartnell and was replicated by Joan Tussaud, the great-granddaughter of Marie Tussaud and the attraction’s then Head of Wardrobe.
Meanwhile, the Queen’s exquisite Order of the Garter mantle ceremonial robes were first seen on a waxwork of Her Majesty in 1956 and have been sported by six further figures of her on display at Madame Tussauds.
Her Day Dress was created by Royal dressmaker Ian Thomas for a Madame Tussaud’s Silver Jubilee display in 1977 at the attraction, which showed The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1952, the year she took to the throne.
A recreation of the Queen’s Order of the Garter mantle (pictured left) has been included in the display, as seen on the royal at the Order of the Garter service in 2018 (pictured right)
There will also be a specially sewed yellow coat and hat, pictured inspired by the Queen’s 2017 and 2018 outfits
The richly embroidered French white satin gown from 1956 which is based on designs worn by Her Majesty The Queen at the Order of the Garter ceremonies.
The 1979 beaded evening gown is designed by Ian Thomas, a Royal dressmaker.
And the 1985 blue and gold topaz gown was also made by Ian Thomas- the waxwork was taken to Buckingham Palace where it was viewed by the Queen herself.
The Royal Dress Collection will also showcase a replica of the Imperial State Crown which was displayed alongside The Queen’s figures from 1956 until the early 1970s.
And another stunning design will be in the exhibition- the 2018 yellow coat and hat created by the Madame Tussauds London team in the style of one of The Queen’s famously colourful designs.
The 1985 blue and gold topaz gown, (pictured left) was made by Ian Thomas, a royal dressmaker- the waxwork was taken to Buckingham Palace where it was viewed by the Queen herself. Pictured right: The Queen’s waxwork in 1989
The Queen wore a similar blue gown while attending a Government meeting in The Bahamas in 1985 (pictured)
The Royal Dress Collection will also showcase a replica of the Imperial State Crown, pictured, which was displayed alongside The Queen’s figures from 1956 until the early 1970s
Her Day Dress, left was created by Royal dressmaker Ian Thomas for a Madame Tussaud’s Silver Jubilee display in 1977 at the attraction, right, which showed The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1952, the year she took to the throne
Tim Waters, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: ‘Madame Tussauds London’s relationship with the British Royal Family dates back to Marie Tussaud herself.
‘When King George III sat for Marie in 1809 it began a tradition that British monarchs would sit for Madame Tussauds London artists to create their figures.
‘This is a tradition we are incredibly proud of and it continues to this day with The Queen generously agreeing to seven sittings with our artists during her reign.
‘More figures of Queen Elizabeth II have been made than anyone else in Madame Tussauds’ history and with that comes a vast array of stunning outfits from over the years – some of which were even designed and created by The Queen’s dressmakers themselves.
‘We are in a privileged position to have charted significant moments during The Queen’s reign to date through our figures and each design included in the Royal Dress Collection is a piece of history in itself.
‘A Platinum Jubilee is something most, if not all of us are unlikely to experience again and we felt taking this step back in history and giving our guests the opportunity to see these breathtaking pieces altogether was a fitting way to celebrate such a historic milestone.’
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A collection of waxworks of Queen Elizabeth II through the ages
1928- The first waxwork of the Queen is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in a portrait model (pictured left), the Queen (pictured right) as a baby in 1926
1930- The Queen on a pony for Madame Tussauds as a young girl was also unveiled by Madame Tussauds (pictured left), the royal as a child in 1935 (pictured right)
1952- Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II with their children Princess Anne and Prince Charles
1955- A waxwork of the Queen has a replica crown fitted in 1955 (pictured left), the Queen wearing the Imperial State Crown at Buckingham Palace in 1953 (pictured right)
1969- Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II waxworks at Madame Tussauds (pictured left), the Queen wore the traditional outfit for the Order of the Garter Service in 2019 (pictured right)
1992- Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Edward
2012- A new waxwork figure of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is pictured at Madame Tussauds in London (pictured left), the monarch donned a similar dress in 2019 for the speech during the Opening of Parliament (pictured right)
2021- Another new waxwork of Her Majesty was unveiled in 2021 (pictured) and taken along the Blackpool promenade, inspired by her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 (pictured right)
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