A theatrical production exploring the relationship behind the public image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, focusing on the team responsible for her iconic wardrobe.
By Royal Appointment runs at York Theatre Royal from 9 November to 14 November 2026. It's the debut play from Daisy Goodwin, who created the ITV series Victoria, and it takes a look at the late Queen Elizabeth II from an angle we rarely see: the wardrobe she wore to communicate with the public, and the team that put it together.
The play focuses on the relationship between the Queen and the inner circle responsible for her public image. It's described as both funny and poignant, and it goes behind the scenes to the people who shaped her iconic appearance, and the power dynamics that played out among them. It's the untold true story behind the royal smile, shining a light on the colourful personalities that worked within her closest circle throughout her reign.
Jane Asher takes the role of the Queen, and she's joined by Samantha Womack as the Dresser, David Robb as the Designer, and Matthew Cottle as the Milliner. The production is directed by Anthony Banks, with set and costume design by Jonathan Fensom. It's a small cast, so the focus stays on the interactions between the monarch and the people who managed her public face.
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It runs for six days, from Monday 9 November to Saturday 14 November, at York Theatre Royal.
