Breaking history: The golden gown of Queen Elizabeth II that made history… See More

While Queen Elizabeth II’s Norman Hartnell Coronation gown remains one of the most important pieces of clothing worn in the twentieth century, another Hartnell gown took an important place in Australian history.

In 1954, a young Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning monarch to ever visit Australia and nearly three quarters of the population saw her in person on her 58 day tour of the country.

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Sir William Dargie was commissioned late in 1954 to create a portrait to commemorate The Queen’s visit. Known for his work with the Australian troops during the Second World War, he was one of Australia’s most talented artists.

In the portrait, Queen Elizabeth is wearing a gold tulle Norman Hartnell gown, complete with embroidered gold wattle designs. As the wattle is the official flower of Australia, it was the perfect gown for her 1954 visit. She is also wearing a sprig of wattle on her right shoulder.

Her Majesty chose one of her favourite tiaras for the portrait, one that she inherited from her grandmother. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland was originally given to Queen Mary for her 1893 wedding, and would be one of Queen Elizabeth’s most worn tiaras.

She also wore a necklace that she received as a wedding gift in 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace.