Dress worn by Queen Elizabeth leaves royal fans in tears
Queen Elizabeth is captivating and moving audiences from beyond the grave, with the dress linked to her memorable James Bond Olympic stunt now on display for the first time – prompting extreme emotional reactions from royal fans who have told RadarOnline.com the sight has left them “in tears of tears”.
The late monarch, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96, famously appeared alongside Daniel Craig at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics in a James Bond-themed filmed sketch that appeared to show her parachuting into the stadium.
Now, both the dress she wears and the near-identical version used by her stunt double are on public display as part of Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery.
The exhibition opened on April 10 and marks what would have been the 100th year of the monarch.
A royal insider told us: “For many visitors, seeing that dress up close is incredibly emotional. It immediately takes them back to a moment when her sense of humor and connection with the audience was captured.”
The source added: “There have been real scenes where people cried a lot and burst into tears after watching it because it’s such a powerful reminder of her personality and the joy she brought in that moment.”
The peach-colored cocktail dress, designed by Elizabeth’s longtime dresser Angela Kelly, features practical adjustments including Victorian-style sewn-in bloomers and a zipper at the back to accommodate the parachute harness used in the stunt.
After the filmed 007 sequence showed a doppelgänger for the Queen descending on the Olympic Stadium, the Queen herself was seen arriving moments later in a near-identical version of the outfit, completing the illusion.
Another source familiar with the exhibition said: “It’s not just the design of the dress that resonates – it’s what it represents. That Olympic performance showed a lighter, playful side of the Queen, and seeing the garment again brings back that memory for people.
“There is a strong emotional connection for royal fans to that moment, and it clearly strikes a chord with visitors.”
The exhibition is described as the most comprehensive display of the Queen’s wardrobe ever assembled, with more than 200 items from across her life. In addition to the Olympic dress, visitors can view historically significant garments such as her 1947 wedding dress, designed by Norman Hartnell, and the dress worn during her 1953 coronation.
The collection, curated by Caroline de Guitaut, also includes accessories, hats, shoes and personal items, as well as sketches and fabric swatches that illustrate the craftsmanship behind her clothes. Pieces from Elizabeth’s childhood and early years are on display, alongside outfits she wore on state occasions and more informal clothing from her private life.
De Guitaut said: “Only now, as the late Queen’s fashion archive comes into the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a life of thoughtful style choices – from her practical role and understanding of the gentle power behind her clothes, to the exceptional craftsmanship behind each garment. In the year that would have marked her 100th birthday, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s unique British style and her enduring fashion legacy.”
The exhibition runs until autumn at the King’s Gallery in London, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore the wardrobe of one of modern history’s most recognizable figures.
