Queen Victoria’s 14th Century bal costumé, 1842

On 12th May 1842, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert hosted a 14th century themed bal Costumé at Buckingham Palace.

After the completion of the new throne 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.

The first bal costumé held at the palace was 14th century themed and took place on 12th May 1842. Each of the 2,000 guests were encouraged to commission costumes from the Spitalfields Silk weathers. They royal couple themselves dressed as King Edward III and his wife Queen Philippa of Hainault. Their costumes were designed by Vouillon and Laure under the guidance of fashion historian, James Robinson Planché. In order to produce accurate representations of what the King and Queen would have worn, designers often visited and referred to their effigies at Westminster Abbey. However, Victorias tightly laced dress, with layered petticoats, matched the fashion of her own era much more that of the 14th century.

Queen Victoria wrote of the day in her journal:

“Went with Albert to look at the arrangement of the rooms for our great “Bal Costume”, — which were progressing well, but are far from being finished yet. Tried on my costume once more. — After luncheon, “Pussy” came down & played so dearly, alone with us, in Albert’s dressing room. — We went again over the rooms, but remained principally in the Throne Room, which is really quite beautiful, the alcove & throne, all hung with dark blue cloth with gold crown & Garter printed all over the hangings. We met Lord Liverpool there, really beautifully got up, in a tight white satin dress, his arms embroidered in gold, all over it, red hose & gold shoes, a long mantle, & a velvet cap. We went to our rooms & dressed, in the costumes of which I annex the rough sketches. Saw my Ladies, the Dss of Buccleuch, Ly Portman & Fanny Jocelyn, Mrs Anson & Mrs Brand, Miss Paget & Miss Liddell (come into waiting today) & Miss Stanley, all, beautifully dressed, as were our Gentlemen. Ld Rokeby looked so well in half armour & the Equerries & Ld C. Wellesley in their complete armour & surcoats, having quite a fierce appearance with their helmets on. Sat with the Queen Dowr, till all was ready & then we seated & grouped ourselves. She, Mama, Aunt Gloucester & Dss I La were seated on the other side of the room. The processions then began, many coming by, all, “costume”, & they were beautiful. The Duke of Beaufort & Ld Pembroke, were particularly fines, — Sir C. Napier, as Mehemet Ali, exactly like Wilkie’s picture, — was perfect, & an excellent idea. There were also a Mr & Miss Elliott in real Chinese dresses. Many Ladies, with powered coiffures were very handsome, 2, in particular, Miss Bolland, & Mme Lionel de Rothschild. — […]

[…]The procession walking up, slowly, 2 by 2, hand in hand, & bowing at the foot of the Throne, had a very fine effect. After this, our “Cortège” was formed, which had (I hear since) a beautiful effect, as also the “Coup d’Oeuil” of our group. We then went into the other room, where some of the Quadrilles were danced, returning afterwards to the Throne Room & the Throne, & I saw Mme Brunow & her Party dance a Mazurka. After we had been to the Closet, to rearrange my crown, we went to supper & then saw 2 Reels danced in the Ball Room, & I danced a Quadrille with George, — I own, with some difficulty, on account of my heals. We did not return again to the Throne Room, & left the Rooms at ¼ to 3. Nothing could have gone better, than the whole did, &, it was a truly splendid spectacle. —”

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