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An exhibition of jewelry and evening gowns belonging to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II over the last 60 years will be held in London this year to mark her 80th birthday, aides said Friday.
Eighty dresses, including a gold one-shouldered gown overlaid with fine lace worn on her Commonwealth Tour of 1953-54, will be shown together for the first time at Buckingham Palace, her London residence, from July 26 to September 24.
The queen, who was crowned on June 2, 1953, celebrates her 80th birthday on April 21.
The outfits, which were worn by the queen for both official engagements and private family events, include creations by her favoured couturiers Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies.
The jewelry includes private gifts to the queen from family members as well as famous priceless pieces such as the Vladimir Tiara, the Cambridge Emerald Necklace and two brooches set with stones from the famos Cullinan Diamond.
Jewerly given to her on the occasion of the coronation will also be on display, a spokeswoman said.
Also on show will be a pair of Cartier aquamarine and diamond clip-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 according to a design by her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
It was given to the queen on their fifth wedding anniversary and incorporates the interlaced initials "E" and "P".
As part of the birthday celebrations, her official home west of London, Windsor Castle, will also stage a separate exhibition of photographs tracing the queen's public and private life over the past 80 years.
It will contain formal records of state occasions and official portraits as well as little-known family photographs and snapshots.
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AFPLifestyle-Britain-royal-fashion
AFP 101715 GMT 02 06
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