Figure 1.--Here is a 1871 engraving of the Prince and Prince of Wales at home. Photographs at the time could not be printed in books and newspapers. The illustration appeared in the "The Graphic". They wre usually rather accurate about depicrions. The princes wear knee pants sailor suits. The princesses wear white dresses. Note the boys' longish hair.

HBC has little information on what Bertie felt about his boyhood clothes or the clothes selected for his children. The boys and girls were each commonly dressed alike as children. Sailor styles were popular and were becoming increasingly adopted by the generl public. Both the princes and princes wore them. We do know, however, that clothing was a major interest of Edward VII as a adult. Like many European royals, Edward was obsessed with clothing, medals, and uniforms. He was especially concerned with clothes. No doubt his mother's refusal to give him any serious official duties were a factor here. Edward was known to reprimand individuals who made even small errors in dress. A particular obsession was mistakingly wearing black rathar than white tie for formal occassions. He even once pubically upbraided Prime Minister Marquess of Salisbury when he appeared at a Buckingham Palac reception inappropriately dressed. The Prime Minister cooly responded thzat when dressing his mind must have been "occupied by some subject of less importance". Reportedly his grandson George VI inherited. [Bradford, 1989, p. 4.]

Edward's Clothing

HBC has little information on what Bertie felt about his boyhood clothes or the clothes selected for his children. We do know, however, that clothing was a major interest of Edward VII as a adult. Like many European royals, Edward was obsessed with clothing, medals, and uniforms. He was especially concerned with clothes. No doubt his mother's refusal to give him any serious official duties were a factor here. Edward was known to reprimand individuals who made even small errors in dress. A particular obsession was mistakingly wearing black rathar than white tie for formal occassions. He even once pubically upbraided Prime Minister Marquess of Salisbury when he appeared at a Buckingham Palace reception inappropriately dressed. The Prime Minister cooly responded thzat when dressing his mind must have been "occupied by some subject of less importance". Reportedly his grandson George VI inherited this concern with propriety. [Bradford, 1989, p. 4.]

Garments

We do not yet know a grest deal about the clothing worn by Edward VII's children. Our archive is still very limited. Thus we are just beginning to develop details on the garments that the children wore. We know that the boys commonly wore sailor suits. We are less sure about their other clothes. The girls of course wore dresses. We know that some had sailor styling, but we do not have much information on the otherstyles thst they wore.

Dresses

The princes of course mostly wore dresses. We know thst the princes also wire dresses when young. We do not yet have detao\ils on the styles and ages of the boys when they wore dresses pr the age of breeching.

Smocks

We do not yet know if the children wore smocks.

Pinafores

We do not kno if the princesses wore pinafores. We think it is likely, but we do not yet hsve any details.

Sailor Suits

The boys and girls were each commonly dressed alike as children. It was not possible to dress all the children alike because the the older children were boys and the younger children gurls. The reverse would have provided more flexibility. Sailor styles did allow Alix whi like to dress the boys and girls identically to a least coordinate their clothes. Sailor styles were popular and were becoming increasingly adopted by the generl public. Both the princes and princes wore them.

Suits

Kilts

Sources

Bradford, Sarah. The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1995-1952 (New York: St. Marin's Press, 1989), 506p.

Created: 4:56 AM 3/25/2006
Last updated: 1:36 AM 9/19/2009