The King was tickled by some of his mother’s quirky outfits on display as part of a major exhibition showcasing the late Queen’s wardrobe.
Charles toured the show, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, with Queen Camilla, and chuckled when he saw his mother’s “poodle skirt” and pointed out an unusual jacket.
The visit marked the start of a series of royal events celebrating the centenary of the late Queen, who would have turned 100 on Tuesday.
Among the guests at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace was Elizabeth II’s niece Lady Sarah Chatto and a number of the late Queen’s ladies-in-waiting including Lady Susan Hussey.
Exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut said: “There are some quirky things that probably stick out a little because they’re unusual and that tends to draw attention, I think.
“Both their majesties were equally delighted to see the beautiful couture pieces from right throughout the Queen’s life.”
The King was amused by Californian-based fashion designer Juli Lynne Charlot’s creation known as a “poodle skirt”, part of a collection decorated with figures or animals.
Princess Elizabeth famously wore the skirt, with figures of Romeo and Juliet, to a square-dancing party hosted in Ottawa by the governor-general of Canada during a 1951 tour.
Charles and Camilla also saw the late Queen’s trademark headscarves, see-through Fulton umbrellas, tweed suits and lavish dresses worn at state occasions, at the event which opened to the public earlier this month and sold out its first few weeks.
The curator also pointed out Queen Elizabeth II’s stunt double’s dress, with sewn-in bloomers, which featured when she took part in the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.
She appeared to millions to skydive into the arena from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, after he escorted her from Buckingham Palace.
