Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1913 — GORGEOUS COURT UNIFORMS [ARTICLE]

GORGEOUS COURT UNIFORMS

Some of Them Cost $1,250 Each—Expensive Regalia of *Borplgw Diplomat*. Much of the splendor of any of his majesty’s courts Would be lacking if it were not for the dazzling uniforms of the high officers of state and the great officers of the royal household who assemble at these impressive functions, says "Tit-Bits.” There are always five or six different grades of gentlemen in attendance present when his majesty holds a court, and each has his distinctive dress, the difference usually being indicated by the trimming, either gold or silver, or the number of buttons worn. The complete outfit of a firstclass court official runs to £2OO, the jacket alone costing £BO to £IOO. It is made of the finest royal blue cloth, lavishly embroidered with gold lace of a highly elaborate design. The waistcoat and knee breeches are made from white kerseymere silk, richly embroidered, set off with buttons and buckles of gilt, and white silk stockings, sword, cocked hat and white kid gloves make a complete costume, as rich as it is dignified. An ambassador or foreign diplomatist wears a special distinction —black velvet collar, with a gold embroidered floral design. The uniform costs the wearer about £lls. Lord lieutenants are dressed in a coat of royal red cloth, cut swallowtail and adorned with silver b uttons, and tiie collar embroidered with silver lace. Silver laced trousers are worn, with a cocked hat without plumes. The uniform is very handsome, and costs the wearer 100 guineas simply for the privilege to wear it, let alone the making of it To the Duke of Norfolk, as the earl marshal, however, falls the enviable distinction of wearing the most costly apparel of all great officers of state. The dress is absolutely unique, and for sheer magnificence has no parallel in any country. Nearly three miles of the finest gold thread are used in the embroidery on the coat, collar, front and on the lappets of the sleeves. Each suit costs his grace £250. All Cabinet ministers and other high state officials are expected to have at least one state unifrom. A complete court outfit will cost from £l3O to £l7O. There are, of course, many others, such as the captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, the captain of the Gentlemen at Arms, the Master of the Horse and the squires and pages of honor, who have to possess a distinctive dress for special occasions costing from £2O to £SB. Court dandies will only wear these uniforms once, while noblemen some times make the same uniform last a lifetime. It has been computed that on great state occasions the value -of the uniforms worn exceeds £30,000.