Fit For A Queen

Queen Elizabeth II's fashion sense has been dismissed as frumpy and out-of-date. But if you go back far enough, you can rediscover the pretty young monarch who delighted a weary post-war Britain. In celebration of her 80th birthday, Buckingham Palace has an exhibition of 80 gowns and some of the jewels she wore from the 1940s to the present day. Keep clicking for a sampling of styles fit for a queen.

A photo of the young monarch is displayed with dresses and jewelry she wore at Buckingham Palace on July 25, 2006. The largest-ever exhibition of her gowns is on display during the annual summer opening of the queen's London home.

How many tiaras does one woman need? If you're the Queen of England, quite a few. Seen through a glass case are the Vladimir Tiara and various other emerald and diamond-encrusted baubles on display at Buckingham Palace on July 25, 2006.

The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara was purchased by Queen Mary, Elizabeth's grandmother, from the collection of the Grand Duchess Vladimir, aunt of Tsar Nicholas II.

Queen Elizabeth II's dresses are reflected in a glass case displaying the Vladimir Tiara and the Delhi Durbar necklace at Buckingham Palace on July 25.

This is why Queen Elizabeth II needs more tiaras than the average woman. Who else needs a daytime tiara? The queen smiles out of the window of her horse-drawn carriage as she leaves Buckingham Palace to deliver her annual speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 26, 2003.

Here's Queen Elizabeth II wearing one of the evening-wear tiaras. She and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, pose with President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush in the music room at Buckingham Palace during a state banquet in the president's honor on Nov. 19, 2003.

You need some pretty fancy clothes to look right in a vehicle like this one. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage at the head of a parade celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee along The Mall in London on June 4, 2002.

A black-and-white photograph of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed above one of her evening dresses at Buckingham Palace on July 25, 2006. The exhibition includes 80 gowns created for her from the 1940s to the present day and worn on official engagements and private occasions.

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, her son Prince Charles, left, and her grandson Prince William is displayed with dresses in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace on July 25. The exhibition is open until Sept. 24, the end of the annual summer public opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.

A fur-trimmed robe made for Queen Elizabeth II is on display at Buckingham Palace on July 25. The exhibition is being staged in some of the 19 state rooms of the palace that are opened to the public for tours each summer.

A line of pink gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth II is on display at Buckingham Palace on July 25. The queen is said to prefer bright colors in order to stand out in the crowd that always surrounds her.

A visitor eyes some of Queen Elizabeth II's dresses and jewelry, displayed at Buckingham Palace on July 25.

A visitor stoops to take a photo of an outfit created for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on July 25.

An exhibit of Queen Elizabeth's hats -- she must have thousands of them -- might be a great hit. Here, the queen arrives at Ascot Race Course on June 24, 2006.

Her exuberant choice of outfits might be a response to the style competition from her husband. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, leave Buckingham Palace by carriage for the Trooping of The Queen's Colour of First Battalion Grenadier Guards, at Horse Guards Parade on June 17, 2006.