Queen's gems, gowns to go on show

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe....ap/index.html

LONDON, England (AP) -- Buckingham Palace is to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with the largest exhibition of her evening gowns and jewelry, officials say.

Eighty dresses dating from the 1940s to the present will be shown together to the public for the first time when the palace opens to visitors as usual this summer.

The outfits, which have been carefully preserved by the Royal Collection, were worn by the queen for both official engagements and private family events; among them are creations by couturiers Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies, who both worked for the queen for many years.

"It's spectacular. The gowns have never been shown in public together like this before and there will be 30 pieces of personal jewelry," said a spokesman for the Royal Collection, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with the collection's policy.

Clothing on display includes a gold one-shouldered gown overlaid with fine lace which was made by Hartnell for the queen's tour of Commonwealth countries in 1953-54.

One of the earliest creations on show will be an elegant tiny-waisted black velvet and duchesse satin Hartnell evening dress from the late 1940s.

Jewelry on display will include the diamond and emerald Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara -- purchased from an aunt of Tsar Nicholas II -- and brooches set with stones from the famous Cullinan Diamond.

Also on show will be a pair of Cartier aquamarine and diamond brooches given to the then Princess Elizabeth by her father, King George VI, for her 18th birthday.

Other personal gifts include a gold, sapphire, diamond and ruby bracelet made by Boucheron to a design by the queen's husband, Prince Philip, for their fifth wedding anniversary and incorporating the interlaced initials "E" and "P".

As part of the birthday celebrations, Windsor Castle will stage an exhibition of photographs tracing the queen's public and private life over the past 80 years.

They include pictures by Cecil Beaton, Lord Lichfield and the queen's second son, Prince Andrew.

Buckingham Palace will be open this summer from July 26 through Sept. 24.

The photographic exhibition at Windsor, west of London, will run from April 3 through March 11, 2007.