The coronation dress was designed by Norman Hartnell

They include the Queen's coronation dress and a magnificent 19th century crown originally created for George IV's investiture.

The exhibitions will be split across the Queen's Gallery and the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle.

The Queen's coronation dress of white satin was created by royal couturier Norman Hartnell and features embroidery in gold and silver thread and pastel-coloured silks.

Encrusted with seed pearls and crystals, the tiered design uses the floral emblems of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.

It will be displayed at Buckingham Palace along with the Queen's robe of estate, designed and embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework, which she wore when leaving Westminster Abbey.

Peace symbol

The diamond diadem crown is probably the most familiar piece of the Queen's jewellery, seen on stamps and coins.

Set with 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow stone in the centre of the front cross, the diadem incorporates the national emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland.

The diamond diadem was created for George IV

It was originally created for George IV in 1821 and is worn by the Queen when travelling to and from the state opening of Parliament.

Made from English purple silk-velvet woven in two 22-metre pieces, it is almost seven metres long.

The embroidered royal cipher and border of olive branches and wheat ears, symbolising peace and plenty, took a total of 3,500 hours to complete by a team of 12 seamstresses working in shifts.

The spectacular diamond necklace and drop earrings made for Queen Victoria's coronation will also be on show.

Another key feature of the Buckingham Palace exhibition will be the entire 30-metre coronation frieze by Polish-born Feliks Topolski.

The decorative piece was commissioned by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1960 and depicts the procession to and from Westminster Abbey.

At Windsor Castle, from 29 March to 21 September 2003, there will be an exhibition of coronation drawings, prints, photographs and royal artefacts, including the pen used by the Queen to sign her Coronation Oath, her Order of Service and a painted invitation addressed to the young Prince Charles.

The Buckingham Palace exhibition, from 1 August to 28 September, will also feature contemporary television footage, evoking the atmosphere of coronation day and the dawn of the New Elizabethan Era.

The Queen's Gallery display will continue until 1 February 2004.

The coronation frieze was commissioned by the Duke of Edinburgh