Today I thought I'd delve into the past and dig out all the historical Royal costumes from film and television that I've spied on my travels to exhibitions, museums and cinemas. Enjoy these ten costumes worn by kings, queens and princesses on the big and small screen.
Queen Elizabeth II ambassador's ball gown
worn by Claire Foy in The Crown
First up is this ball gown worn by Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's British Royal Family drama, The Crown.
This look is from the sophomore season, which covered the mid-1950s though to the 1960s, which earned Costume Designer Jane Petrie an Emmy for Outstanding Period Costumes.
Princess Margaret birthday portrait gown
worn by Vanessa Kirby in The Crown
That same 2017 season saw Vanessa Kirby star as Her Majesty's sister Princess Margaret and wear this butterfly-adorned dress for her birthday portrait (although she opted for a more risqué photo option courtesy of Tony Armstrong).
Both these TV costumes were photographed on display at Beverly Hills Paley Center for Media in July 2018.
Fans of the streaming service's lavish historical dramatisation can also enjoy all these other costumes from The Crown on display.
King George VI costume worn by Colin Firth
and Queen Elizabeth costume worn by Helena Bonham Carter
in The King's Speech
Back in 2010 Colin Firth starred as King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II's father who had a speech impediment when it came to public speaking. In the movie set in 1930s England, Helena Bonham Carter played his wife, Queen Elizabeth, who enlists an Australian speech and language therapist to help him.
Jenny Beavan was Oscar-nominated for her Costume Design on director Tom Hooper's film and these screen-worn costumes from The King's Speech were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in December 2010.
Queen Victoria costume worn by Judi Dench
in Victoria & Abdul
In 2017 Dame Judi Dench once again played Queen Victoria as she had previously in 1997's Mrs. Brown, but this time in director Stephen Frears biopic Victoria & Abdul.
Set in 1887 the film is based on a 2010 book by Shrabani Basu about the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria, the Empress of India, and her Indian Muslim servant Abdul Karim (played by Ali Fazal).
Consolata Boyle was nominated for an Academy Award for Costume Design and this outfit was captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood in September 2017.
If you like this Scottish Highlands look, make sure you also check out more costumes from Victoria & Abdul on display.
Queen Anne riding outfit worn by Olivia Colman
in The Favourite
In the 2018 historical comedy-drama, The Favourite, Olivia Colman won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Britain's Queen Anne.
Set in early 18th century England, the film from Yorgos Lanthimos tells the tale of the rabbit-loving monarch with a mercurial temper and the women vying to be the Queen's companion by any means necessary.
Sandy Powell's Costume Designs were nominated for an Oscar and Queen Anne's riding outfit and other costumes from The Favourite were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in February 2019.
Queen Elizabeth I worn by Cate Blanchett
in Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Cate Blanchett played Elizabeth I in 1998's Elizabeth, then reprised the regal role for 2007 sequel, Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Set in 1588 the Queen of England faces many crises late in her reign on the throne, including an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada and romantic disappointments.
Alexandra Byrne took home the Academy Award for Costume Design on director Sekhar Kapur's historical drama and this gown was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in April 2009.
Queen Elizabeth I worn by Margot Robbie
in Mary Queen of Scots
Another actress to later play the monarch was Margot Robbie in 2018's Mary Queen of Scots film, which is based on John Guy's biography, Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart.
Once again Alexandra Byrne was Oscar-nominated for Best Achievement in Costume Design on director Josie Rourke's biopic.
Mary Stuart costume worn by Saoirse Ronan
in Mary Queen of Scots
In the motion picture, Saoirse Ronan played the young Mary Stuart intent on reclaiming her throne from her cousin Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th century.
These screen-worn costumes were photographed exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood and L.A.'s FIDM Museum in November 2018 and February 2019, respectively.
Fans of the historical drama can check out more Oscar-nominated costumes from Mary Queen of Scots on display.
Elizabeth of York costume worn by Jodie Comer
in The White Princess
In the 2017 mini-series The White Princess, continuing the adaptation of Philippa Gregory's The Cousins' War historical novels, Jodie Comer played Elizabeth "Lizzie" of York who marries England's King Henry VII, first monarch of the House of Tudor.
Phoebe de Gaye was Costume Designer on this eight-episode limited series and these costumes from The White Princess were snapped on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum in August 2017.
Isabella of Angoulême costume worn by Léa Seydoux
in Robin Hood
And finally for this collection of noble garb, here's the lavish costume worn by Léa Seydoux as Isabella of Angoulême, the young Queen consort to England's King John from 1200 to 1216, in 2010's Robin Hood (directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe).
This elaborate costume was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in January 2014 and designed by Janty Yates. If you like it, be sure to also check out more movie costumes from 2010's Robin Hood.
I hope you've enjoyed this roundup of historical Royal costumes from my cinematic and televisual archives, maybe another time we'll take a look at some regal wardrobes from the worlds of fantasy and fairytales.
