King Edward VII’s childhood tunic

Made between 1840-1850, this Russian-styled wool tunic is a rare survival from the wardrobe of Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). Whilst Bertie, as he was known amongst his family, appears to have worn several similar tunics throughout his childhood, this particular one was worn on 8^th October 1844, the day that King Louis Philippe I of France arrived at Windsor Castle. The King’s visit was particularly poignant as it was the first time that a French sovereign had come to visit a British monarch. In her journal from the day Queen Victoria writes that Louis Philippe had been charmed by her four children, adding that ‘Bertie began directly examining his [Louis Philippe] & Montpensier’s uniforms, asking “what’s that?”’ (1)

The scene of the Queen receiving the King was was later immortalised by German painter, Franz Xaver Winterhalter. In the painting Bertie can be seen wearing this historic garment, which has been depicted as being a much lighter white/grey. The colour change was most likely made with the Queen’s agreement as a way to make the children stand out amongst the crowds of adults, who were dressed in mourning following the death of Prince Albert’s father just a few months earlier.

© Queen.Victoria.Roses 2026

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Citation:

(1) RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 8 October 1844 (PRINCESS BEATRICE’S COPIES) retrieved 15 November 2025. Royal Collection Trust / © King Charles III

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