Claire Foy captivated audiences with her outstanding performance as a young Queen Elizabeth in the acclaimed series, The Crown.
One of the iconic costumes worn by the British actress is now a highlight of a new exhibition in Scotland, which delves into the world of stage and screen costumes.
Foy’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, characterized by its subtlety and precision, earned her two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, cementing her status in Hollywood.
In an exciting development, organizers of the striking exhibition in Dundee have secured a loan of one of the memorable costumes from the show.
This particular piece, a pink silk dress, appeared in the second season of The Crown during an episode titled “Marionettes.”
In this episode, the dress is worn during a scene where Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother, portrayed by Victoria Hamilton, prepare to host members of the public for the inaugural Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Far from thrilled about the propsect, her mother complains about the monarchy losing their authority, absolutism, and divine rights, saying: ‘The history of the monarchy in this country is a one-way street of humiliation, sacrifices and concessions in order to survive.’
The dress will sit alongside other gowns which won their own accolades in a public celebration of the artistry, imagination and global impact of costume designers with connections to Dundee.
Opened yesterday at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, the exhibition is entitled ‘Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screen’.
Visitors can expect to see some of the most iconic screen and stage costumes of recent years, including the crimson dress worn in the successful BBC drama ‘Poldark’ by red-haired beauty Demelza, played by actress Eleanor Tomlinson.
Foy’s dress from The Crown at the new exhibition. Picture Grant Anderson
Foy wearing the outfit in an episode of The Crown called Marionettes
Costume designer Jane Petrie is one of the artists whose work features in the exhibition
A dress worn by Hollywood icon Meryl Streep even makes the collection, a classic gown worn by her in the 2015 historical movie ‘Suffragette’, in which she starred as the women’s rights campaigner, Emmeline Pankhurst.
Chris Pine’s spectacular Robert the Bruce cape from 2018 epic Outlaw King, also features after it was flown over from Hollywood.
Other items include: Claire Danes’ dress from The Essex Serpent, costumes from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Othello, featuring Ben Kingsley and Niamh Cusack, Helen Alderson’s wedding dress from All Creatures Great and Small, and Blackbeard’s pirate costume from Blackbeard and Horrible Histories.
Foy needed 60 outfits, ranging from her stunning Coronation dress to her ‘Balmoral uniform’ of wellies, tweeds and headscarf, for her portrayal of the Queen alongside former Doctor Who star Matt Smith’s depiction of her husband, Prince Phillip.
Filming for the show took place around Cruden Bay and the Queen’s north-east residence, Balmoral.
Many of the country’s landmarks appeared in the series, including Slains Castle and Cruden Bay beach.
Ardverikie Castle, in the Highlands, stood in for the exterior, the estate and some of the interiors of Balmoral Castle in the show.
During filming Foy was pictured in costume trudging through the grounds in a battered green coat and thick tweed skirt and carrying a shotgun.
The new exhibition in Dundee features the work of designers Jane Petrie, Ros Little, Alex Reid, and other creatives who have collaborated with Dundee REP and Scottish Dance Theatre.
Running for nine months, organisers say it “celebrates the city’s role as a birthplace and inspiration for creative talent”.
A spokesperson for the museum added: ‘More than a visual spectacle, the Curtain Call is designed to engage visitors of all ages and to spark interest in creative careers among young people in Dundee.
‘By weaving together, the city’s local talent and international collaborations, Curtain Call underlines how this Scottish city has left an indelible mark on costume design worldwide.
* Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screen is free to visit at the McManus Galleries from February 7 till November 15, 2026
