Timeless style of Britain's royal family laid bare in new exhibition

The wedding dress of Diana, Princess of Wales, is seen on display at the exhibition. Photo: AFP

The voluminous ivory dress Princess Diana wore to marry Prince Charles in 1981 has gone on display at her former London home, as part of a new exhibition showcasing a selection of gowns worn by members of Britain's royal family.

Royal Style In The Making looks at the works of designers and their royal clients, and features outfits created for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Diana, as well as sketches, fabric swatches and photographs from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection.

Read more: Princess Diana’s wedding dress to be featured in new royal exhibition

Among the most recognisable frocks is Diana's taffeta and lace wedding gown, made up of a bodice, full skirt, puffed sleeves and 25-foot train. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress is on loan from Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry.

"Now we're all familiar with that iconic shape, so typical of early 80s fashion, big puff sleeves, very romantic and vintage inspired," said Matthew Storey, curator of the exhibition.

Prototype shoes for the ones Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wore at her wedding. Photo: AP

"But when you come to the exhibition what you appreciate are the details, the antique lace, the modern lace that was designed to imitate it, which lines the entire 25-foot long train, all of which is garnished with thousands of iridescent sequins so the whole dress sparkles."

Among other items on show is a rare surviving toile for a gown worn by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for King George VI's coronation in 1937.

Storey said one of his favourite exhibits was a blue and gold 18th century style dress designed for Princess Margaret by stage designer Oliver Messel.

Read more: New museum exhibition celebrates legendary couturier Christian Dior

"She wore it to a costume ball at the Mansion House in 1964 in aid of one of her favourite charities, the St John ambulance," he said.

The exhibition, which opened last week and runs until January, is at Kensington Palace, where Diana lived until her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. – Reuters