Last summer saw a huge celebration of pomp and splendour in recognition of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Although she became monarch on her father's (King George VI) death in February 1952, her coronation didn't take place until 2 June 1953. In commemoration of the jubilee year Buckingham Palace is mounting a special exhibition to accompany the annual summer opening.

The State Rooms Buckingham Palace 2013
To recreate the atmosphere of that historical day the Palace will be displaying costumes worn by the royal party on that special day in 1953, as well as a collection of works of art and other paintings that were on display on Coronation Day.
You will be able to relive the enormous amount of planning that started on 28 April 1952 and the plans to transform Westminster Abbey for that special event, see the Queen's Coronation Dress and Robe and the costumes designed for the principal ladies of the Royal Family and for the Maids of Honour, all designed by Norman Hartnell. These include the gowns worn by the Queen Mother and by Princess Margaret, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh's uniform and Coronation Robes.

The Queen's Coronation Dress and Robe
The exhibition takes place in the
State Rooms, Buckingham Palace. These were the actual spaces that were used on the day and include the Throne Room and the locations for the official portraits. A visit to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms during 2013 will be a journey back in time and a snapshot of a piece of history that took place 60 years ago.