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The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803-1842) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2551352
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The State Dresses of the Queen
Victoria.
(From The World of Fashion, for October.)
We are informed that the Queen's robes have been manufactured at Hunter's, in Maddox-street. There is a state robe for state
occasions - that is, the Coronation, and for meeting
the Parliament. The train consists of the richest crimson velvet, eight yards long, lined with miniver, with an immense cape to the same, bor- dered round with miniver ermine, and three bor- derings of gold lace : it is held up on each side by three pages, or ladies in wniting, the Duchess of Kent presiding at the extreme end. The weight of this robe is, we understand, 20 lbs. The under state robe is a robing of crimson velvet lined with the richest Persian silk. The skirt, body, and hanging bordering of ermine, and three rich bor- ders of gold lace, narrower than that of the gran d state robe. The back of the body is beautifully embroidered in gold (oak) leaves ; the sleeve in particular is curious, being cut in the same fashion as that worn by Queen Anna Boleyn. Round the waist of the robe is a flat gold chain. in front of which are two long ends, finished by splendid gold tassels ; this is worn over a rich white satin dress embroidered with gold. The robe for the Order of the Bath - worn on the ceremony of creating a Knight of that order - is of rich crimson satin, lined with rich silk ; the star is worn on the left side, being embroidered on the satin ; this manteau is looped up, in order to show the sleeves. But the robe for the ceremony of creating a Knight of the Garter is one of the most superb ornaments ever designed. It consists of the richest dark purple velvet, lined with rich white silk ; it is amde in the same form as that for the order of the Bath, and the star affixed in the same style ; there is a small round cape running round the top of this mantle; it is lined with white satin ; this is
hooked on the top of the low dress, which is worn underneath - the ribbon passes from the right shoulder and fastens at the waist : the garter, with the moito, " Honi soit qui mul y pense," elegantly embroidered, is worn upon the arm. The orders and medals worn at the end of the ribbons be- longing to the Orders of the Bath and of the Garter, are now being made smaller, as the weight
of the former ones used was found inconvenient to her Majesty at the late prorogation of Parlia- ment. The state robe is always kept in a splendid crimson velvet bag, trimmed round with a rich gold lace ; it is drawn by most sumptuous gold and purple tassels. The bag is lined with white silk, it is generally conveyed to the House of Lords in a state carriage, and under the care of three officers of state. The bag, the crown, and the sceptre, are taken together. The precise height of her Majesty is 5 feet 2 inches : her shoulders are finely formed. The dresses seem, and we think very justly, to have excited her approbation.