Queen Victoria’s Georgian bal costumé, 1845

On 6th June 1845, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert hosted a Georgian themed ball at Buckingham Palace.

After the completion of the new Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in 1842, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert hosted a series of three bal costumés, all of which were dedicated to a different period in history. The intention of the balls were not only to have fun, but also to give work to the dying Spitalfields Silk industry.

Three years after the first ball, which took place on 12th May 1842, the couple held their second bal costumé. This time the theme was Georgian, covering the years from 1745 to 1755. Known for its perhaps unflattering extravagance, the chosen period caused much debate amongst spectators. However, despite the tall wigs, wide dresses and high heels, all criticism was quickly dismissed. Out of the 1,400 – 1,500 guests invited, over 1,200 attended, all wearing exquisitely accurate costumes.

As with the first bal costumé, all guests were required to create new costumes, preferably using Spitalfields Silk. Many English nobles dressed as past relatives; wearing dresses, which had been inspired by and made identical to those featured in family portraits. Similarly, foreign guests wore costumes inspired by their native fashion during the 18th century.

As well as a variety of culture, the British military was also represented amongst guests. The Duke of Wellington wore the uniform of the Duke of Cumberland of the time. Other uniforms to appear included: the uniform of the Eleventh Dragoons at the Battle of Culloden, a cavalry officer and the dress of captain of the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen Pensioners. However, dressing up wasn’t just limited to guests, the cavalry wore high military boots, three-cornered hats, and some even wore a crimson silk sword belt fringed with gold.

Although I can’t find anything to suggest Queen Victoria and Prince Albert dressed as anyone in particular, they certainly went all out with their costumes. Victorias dress, designed and made by Vouillon et Laure, was made primarily gold and silver, “with a running sky-blue pattern, brocaded with bouquets of Marguerittes and poppies”. Impressed with her outfit, Queen Victoria commissioned multiple portraits and even drew her own sketches of both herself and Albert:

Prince Albert’s costume, designed and created by Messrs Roth and Freeman, consisted of a crimson velvet coat, lined with white satin, with stiff and open skirts; crimson velvet breeches; long stockings, a wig, and buckled shoes.

Although heels and highly powdered hair was believed to be an issue, Queen Victoria wrote in her journal that she “wore heels to my shoes, but was quite at home with them. My hair kept beautifully in order, but had to be brushed for ½ an hour, before going to bed at ½ p. 3. We were both much pleased & satisfied.”

The ball started at 10:30pm with a dance led by Victoria and Albert. Dancing continued through the night until a supper banquet after midnight. The ball closed with a final dance for the couple and had been a success amongst guests and the press. The Morning press even admitted that we confess that “we had some misgivings of the effect it would produce when actually worn. But that there was no real ground for doubt, the charming appearance of the ladies at the Palace afforded the most satisfactory proof.”

Queen Victoria noted the whole event in her journal:

“Breakfast the same as yesterday, & we 2 walked out afterward, leaving Vic, practising her Minuet. — After luncheon, & the Nemours had been with us for a little while, I rested, & wrote. — Had myself coiffé, like the other day, with powder, but considerably more of it & with a diadem. It took a terribly long time & when I came to our small “diner de famille”, Vic had already come down. Afterward we dressed, & when I was ready I had myself sketched by 2 Painters. My dress was very handsome, & I annex a rough sketch of mine of Victoire & myself, also of Albert. Nemours & Victoire both looked remarkably handsome, & he so young & dignified. I was so proud of my dearest Albert’s appearance. Vic’s hair & dress were quite different to mine. […]

[…] The Dss of Buccleuch (beautifully dressed) Ly Gainsborough (who looked very handsome) the 8 maids of Honour, Ly Digby & Ly Charlotte Copley were all in waiting. The 2 little Pages looked lovely. We went into the Yellow Drawingroom, who we found all our Gentlemen: (so changed by their costumes that I hardly recognised them) officers of State, Grooms, Gold sticks in waiting, &c. — Mama looked so well & so young, (I was quite happy to see her like that) Aunt Gloucester also well, but quite incorrectly dressed. Uncle & Aunt Cambridge were not there, she having lost an aunt. George had unfortunately a very unbecoming wig. Edward looked well, & Ld Combermere, Col: Drummond & Ld Ernest Bruce, admirable. The Queen Dowr had come to see us, after which we went into the Ball Room, as usual, where the sight was a most brilliant one, really often did, so dignified, such an “ensemble”, & not even one person who was not becomingly dressed, or looked ridiculous. After our “Cercle”, a Polonaise opened the Ball, Nemours leading me, Albert dear Victoire, George dear Mama, Edward the Dss of Buccleuch, & Charles, Ly Mt Edgecumbe almost everyone following, & we processed through the Yellow Drawingroom, down the Gallery, through the Ball Room & Saloon, into the Throne Room & back again. I felt quite as if we were acting. […]

[…] We then had more than ¼ of an hour’s “défilé de la Société” in the Ball Room, after which we proceeded to the Throne Room, where the “Menuet” was to be danced by us. Red ropes were held by the Gentleman Ushers round the space on which we danced. It was a formidable moment, but all went extremely well & the effect was really beautiful, but the Band, most disgracefully made a mistake in the 2nd part & we had to jump to the middle, but it was luckily not noticed. Then followed a Quadrille which I danced with Nemours, after which the company came by, & we danced our 2nd “Menuet”, which was played quite right this times. I danced it with my beloved Albert, George, with Ly Ailesbury, Edward with Ly Douro, Ld Exeter, with the Dss of Buccleuch, Ld Clanricarde with Ly Seymour, Ld Granby with Ly Blandford, Ld Douglas, with Ly Canning & Ld Abercorn with Ly Villiers. After we went over to the Ball Room, I, leading, which I did each time & here Ly Jersey’s “Menuet d’ Exandet” was danced by a number of young Ladies & Gentlemen, followed by the “Menuet de la Cour”, danced by Ly Chesterfield & several other Ladies, & Gentlemen. This being ended, we went to supper at ¼ to 1 after which went again to the Throne Room where our 4th Minuets took place, consisting of Nemours (who danced it extremely well) & me, Albert, & the Dss of Beaufort, Charles, & Victoire, Ld Exeter & the Dss Buccleuch. Ld Wilton, Ly Ernest Bruce & Ld Douro, Ly: & Bruce & Ld Sydney, Ld Bruce & Ly Leveson, Ld Douglas & Ly Canning, Ld Sherburne & Ly Douro. This was followed by young ladies (beginning with the 2 Villiers) dancing le Menuet de la Cour” & we then danced, or rather more tried to danced “Sir Roger de Coverley” in the Gallery, but it was much too crowded& great confusion ensued, so that we were obliged to give it up. […]

[…] We returned, & “pour finir”, another Minuet, which I danced with Charles, Albert, with Ly Wilton, George, with Victoire, Ld Granby, with the Dss of Roxburghe, Ld Wilton with Ly Cremorne, Ld Douglas the Dss of Buccleuch, Edward, with Ly Douro, This concluded our really most beautiful & delightful Ball. Nemours, who is a great judge, was quite enchanted, saying “est charmont, c’est magnifique”. He wore as a fire in his “jabot” a beautiful pink diamond, which had belonged to the Condés, & now belongs to the Queen. His uniform, white & crimson, of a Gen: of Cavalry, with crimson shorts & crimson stocking, was worn by the Condés. The gold embroidery was very rich, but, at the same time very simple. Victoire’s dark blue shoes embroidered with golden fleurs de lys, were charming & she altogether looked so beautiful, so dear. Of the ladies, Ly Douro, Ly Waterford, Clem: Villiers, & Ly Mt. Edgecumbe looked the handsomest. Ly De Grey looked extremely well & so did the Dss of Beaufort. The Duke of Wellington, remarkably well, in his wig & Field Marshal’s uniform of the period, Ld Aberdeen, like an old picture, with a long brown wig, dressed as his grandfather, looking very “méchant”. Sir James Graham, I never should have known. Some of the Scotch dresses were very fine, & Ld Breadalbane had a splendid one. I wore heels to my shoes, but was quite at home with them. My hair kept beautifully in order, but had to be brushed for ½ an hour, before going to bed at ½ p. 3. We were both much pleased & satisfied. —”

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