Queen Elizabeth’s Olympic Games dress featured "unusual pleats" so it could be instantly recognisable.
The 90-year-old royal had a starring role in the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 games, where she was seen walking through Buckingham Palace with James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, before her stunt double jumped out of a helicopter into the The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Describing the dress, Caroline de Guitaut, who created the exhibition ‘Fashioning A Reign: 90 Years of Style From The Queen’s Wardrobe’, where the dress is being displayed, said: "The unusual pleats were there because the dress had to be instantly recognisable when her stunt double jumped out of the helicopter into the Olympic stadium. And the headpiece is perfect for an evening event."
Caroline also revealed the designer Angela Kelly had to secretly make two identical outfits so one could be worn by the stunt double. The choice of colour was also important as it needed to be bright to stand out against the night sky but couldn’t have any connection to any of the countries taking part in the Games.
The collection also features a purple outfit worn by Queen Elizabeth when she visited China in 1986 on a state visit.
Of the outfit, Caroline – who is also the senior curator of the Royal Collection Trust – added to the Mail Online: "It’s in soft purple light wool as it was very hot. The hat is by Freddie Fox and the outfit is very of its time – a departure from the usual coats and dresses. It’s a shorter, boxier silhouette with shoulder pads. Cut and shape was Amies’ thing – he wasn’t flamboyant like Norman Hartnell."
Queen Elizabeth’s memorable dress
