Royal coronation outfits go on display — see the rare items that may 'never be seen in public again'
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Outfits spanning over 100 years exhibited
(Web Desk) - An exhibition celebrating exquisite craftsmanship is bringing together royal coronation outfits spanning over 100 years.
Among the 200 items on display for “Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire” — a new exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery in London — is the intricately embroidered white and gold glove worn by the late Queen Elizabeth for her 1953 coronation and the ornate dress worn at the crowning of her grandmother Queen Mary in 1911.
“Most of these items have never been seen in public before and will probably never be seen in public again,” Mark Dickens, spokesperson at the prestigious livery company, the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers who organized the exhibition, tells PEOPLE.
“What we are demonstrating is the use of gold wire over the centuries; in embroidery, military uniforms, royal vestments as well as modern jewelry and modern embroidery.”
The Queen’s coronation glove, made by Dents and embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, features her unique cypher in gold thread with a red velvet crown above it and includes a gauntlet cuff of gold embroidered roses, shamrocks, thistles and acorns.
On the historic day, it beautifully matched the floral embroidery of the Queen’s Norman Hartnell-designed dress which featured the floral emblems of the U.K. and the Commonwealth.
Another flashback to coronations of the past is the inclusion of Queen Mary’s coronation dress, worn for her crowning alongside King George V in 1911. Designed by Reville and Rossiter.
It was embroidered by the Princess Louise Needlework School on Sloane Street using embroidered gilt metal thread and tiny gilt metal beads. In addition to the floral emblems of the U.K., it also featured embroidered versions of the Star and Lotus of India and waves along the hemlines to evoke the ocean that connected the then-British Empire.
The public can also get up close to the striking robe worn by Kate Middleton at King Charles’ coronation. The Royal Victorian Order mantle in bright blue silk and edged with scarlet serves as Kate’s uniform as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, an honor (of the highest rank) bestowed upon her by the late Queen in 2019.
The same mantle was also worn by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester.
While it’s not the exact one worn by Kate, the exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see the craftsmanship of the mantle, on loan from the archives of Ede and Ravenscroft, London’s oldest tailor and robe maker.
The company has made mantles for the Nation’s Orders of Chivalry since 1689, making and conserving all four robes used by Charles and Queen Camilla at their recent crowning.
Also on display is the Order of the Garter, the same as the one worn by Prince William, the Duke of Kent, Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Edinburgh at the recent coronation. Again, the robe or mantle as it is officially known is from the archives of the robe makers as the originals are kept with each individual royal.
