Royal dress codes

A new exhibition at Kensington Palace displays a host of never-before-seen royal fashion treasures, exploring the codes and conventions of royal dress

SANDRA LAWRENCE

Back in 1908, the Lord Chamberlain published a must-have sartorial guide for anyone hoping to get anywhere near His Majesty King Edward VII. Dress Worn at Court listed, to the last ribbon, button and epaulette, the exact costuming requirements for the budding courtier, whether a page, constable, diplomat or debutante. “Everyone had to dress according to regulations,” says Matthew Storey, curator of Dress Codes, a new exhibition at Kensington Palace. “But”, he adds, “we all dress according to rules set by the society we live in”. Using conventions set by royalty as an example, the exhibition throws a mirror to ourselves, asking why we dress the way we do. As Curator of the 10,000-object Royal Ceremonial Dress collection, Matthew is also keen to find new stories within the clothes he…

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Britain (Digital) - 1 Issue, Mar/Apr 2025

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