Historic Royal Palaces — the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world, including Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London — conserves not only their walls but also the incredible stories and objects within them. Among our most remarkable collections is the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection (RCDC), an extraordinary archive of fashion, history and craftsmanship. Now, in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, we are bringing this collection to a global audience, offering an unprecedented look at over 500 years of royal style.
The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection is an Arts Council England Designated Collection of almost 10,000 pieces, spanning five centuries of royal clothing. From intricately embroidered court gowns to ceremonial uniforms and delicate accessories, these garments provide a fascinating insight into the lives of those who wore them. Among the highlights are outfits once worn by historic figures such as George III, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Princess Margaret, Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II. Each piece tells a story of power, culture or personal expression.
Through this digital collaboration, nearly 200 specially selected garments, related items and design sketches are now available to explore online. Alongside expert insights and behind-the-scenes videos, visitors can uncover the hidden details and unique histories of these extraordinary outfits.
One of the most exciting aspects of this project is the use of ultra-high-resolution photography, a great feature of the Google Arts and Culture digitization program. These ultra-high-resolution images — each containing over a billion pixels — allow viewers to examine every stitch, bead and embellishment in astonishing detail. Capturing a single image takes up to six hours, but the result is extraordinary, providing a level of clarity that even in-person viewing cannot achieve.
The details of each image reveal a unique and captivating story. Visitors can examine each stitch in the hand-embroidered gold scrollwork of the court dress uniform for a Japanese diplomat to discover the intricacies of its embroidered paulownia flowers, find Diana, Princess of Wales’s handwritten notes on custom design sketches, or even identify the hints of remaining lilac pigment in the deep folds of the delicate silk fabric of one of Queen Alexandra’s fashionable dresses.