This gown was worn by The Queen for the royal premiere of the film 'The Battle of River Plate' on 29 October 1956, which was held in Leicester Square. During the premiere Her Majesty met Marilyn Monroe who was accompanying her husband, Arthur Miller. Hartnell’s structured design is made of stiffened silk velvet. It features a strapless bodice with a wide fichu (or collar) around the shoulder line. This design is typical of mid-1950s eveningwear, as seen in both London and Parisian couture most notably in the final collection designed by Christian Dior in 1957.