The idea first came to fruition in May 2018 after experts at the palace saw the Met Gala, when theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.
“Seeing the celebrities being maneuvered out of their vehicles onto the red carpet by a bevy of attendants arranging their elaborate outfits around them, we realized this all looks quite familiar,” Claudia continued. “Then, there were reports of great crowds gathering at the palaces to see aristocrats arrive in their finery.”
This reminded the experts of 18th Century parties that were held at the palace.
“The 18th century is also the birth of the fashion press too, and there was a public narrative about what is being worn and who was in favor or out of favor at court—with detailed accounts of the outfits being worn at court,” she added, “like a best and worst dressed.”
And of course, each dress is being held in a space fit for royalty. And while Beyoncé normally reigns over the stage, her dress will now reign in its own right.
“She is under the thrown canopy in the Presence Chamber—which is the space where you would first encounter the monarch,” said Claudia. “You are in the presence of Queen B.”
