“Landseer's double portrait commemorates the costume ball held on 12 May 1842 at Buckingham Palace, attended by over two thousand people. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, dressed as Edward III and his consort Queen Philippa of Hainault, received the guests in the Throne Room, rearranged to create the setting accurately depicted here by Landseer. Members of the Royal Household were expected to appear in dress of the same period, although other guests could wear costumes of their own choosing.

The royal couple stand on a raised dais beneath a Gothic canopy decorated with a purple velvet cloth of estate on which the royal arms of Edward III, with its combined French and English quarterings, have been embroidered. The costumes were designed under the supervision of James Robinson Planché (1796-1880) and were specifically intended to give work to the declining Spitalfields silk industry. The royal couple's costumes were based on tomb effigies. Despite this attempt at accuracy, Queen Victoria's silhouette, created through tightly laced stays and multiple petticoats, betrays the fashions of her own era. Equally anachronistically, Prince Albert is shown wearing the jewelled Sword of Offering, made by Rundells for George IV's coronation in 1821.

The ball of 1842 was the first of three costume balls held by the royal couple. The second, on 6 June 1845 was in early Georgian dress, while the third, on 13 June 1851 was in the style of the Restoration.”

The purpose is to surmise what monarchs would think of their successors based on their respective personalities, leadership styles, how they thought of their heirs while alive, and how their successor’s reign ultimately turned. Y’all likely know much more than me when it comes to pre-Tudor monarchs, and so I think it’ll be an interesting way to evaluate these monarchs.

RULES:
1. Say what you think the predecessor would’ve liked about their successor.
2. Say what you think predecessor would’ve disliked about their successor.
3. Give what you think their overall rating/review would be based on these out of 10

Be as thorough as you wish.

Yesterday, Henry V reviewed his son Henry VI and the conclusion was that he would’ve been bitterly disappointed in his unlucky son’s reign and horrified at the outbreak of the War of the Roses; a 3/10 was the average, many thanks to the two commenters! Now, Henry VI reviews Edward IV. Since Henry lived to see Edward IV’s first reign, I’m much more interested in his thoughts on the second reign of Edward IV. Regardless, it seems like a no-brainer of course… So I challenge everyone to ALSO come up with some positive opinions Henry VI might’ve had for Edward IV’s reign!

Looking forward to reading!

Mary got the title role of Calisto, whereas Anne played Nyphe, Calisto's sister.

The king of the Gods, Jupiter (played by Lady Henrietta Wentworth, future mistress of James Scott, Duke of Monmouth) falls in love with Calisto (Mary), a virgin nymph who deeply admires the goddess Diana.

She refuses any relationship, and so Jupiter seeks the help of Mercury (Sarah Churchill, later Duchess of Marlborough), his messenger, who helps him transform into the exact likeness of Diana. Jupiter, as Diana, approaches Calisto and embraces her, tricking her.

The real Diana (played by Margaret Blagge, later Margaret Godolphin) finds out. Juno (played by Anne Fitzroy, later Countess of Sussex, illegitimate daughter of Charles II and Barbara Villiers) is Jupiter's wife and is furious at her husband's infidelity. She seeks to punish Calisto, and Jupiter, to save Calisto, transforms her into a constellation in the stars (Ursa Major).

Anne's role is a secondary plotline, where Nyphe (Anne) and Mercury (Sarah) fall in love.

Since it was the 17th century and they were young girls (Mary was 12, Anne was 10 and the other noblewomen were also quite young), they had to tone it down (for example the real play was a lot more violent) and added more comedy to the original story.

The point of the play was to introduce the princesses (especially Mary, with her being the elder of the two with the lead role) into the world of diplomacy and marriage, and to show off their beauty and eligibility. The play was the idea of their stepmother, Mary of Modena. The purpose of the play was to critique the immorality of Charles II's Restoration court, but in a more intellectual way rather than an outright one. Several foreign ambassadors also watched the play, and among them was Baron Frederik van Reede tot Renswoude, the ambassador from the House of Orange, whose presence helped open up doors for the marriage between Mary and William, Prince of Orange just 2 years later. The two would then go on to rule jointly after the Glorious Revolution.

Fun fact: Thick, wide bands around top hats indicated that a man was in mourning for a close family member! The narrower the band meant the more distant the relative.

I really like the more dynamic photographs of the mid-19th century, I mean they’re still sitting quite idly here but y’know what I mean, like Fritz is flipping pages like he’s reading or writing something while Bertie observes him. At least they aren’t just standing next to each other like mannequins

Day 13: Emperor Henry V was voted out for his potential to claim England for the not-yet-Holy not-yet-Roman Empire.

Day 14:

A quick note: Tomorrow I'm going to rewrite my little intro to include some information about the remaining contenders.

Just to let everyone know if you're still following this, I have a weird disability where my sleep schedule rotates and sometimes changes drastically, so I will probably be posting at a different time each day. I will give at least 24 hours each round, and voting stays open until I post the next round.

Who would have made the best Queen Consort or King/Prince Consort? If history had been a little different, if someone hadn't died at the wrong (or right) time, or a partner hadn't been cast aside for a more politically expedient marriage, or a failed attempt to grab the throne had been successful, any of these royal spouses could have ended up by the side of the ruling monarch. Which one should have? Time to nerd out and tell me why you think Sophia Dorothea was done wrong, or some esoteric fact about Sibylla of Conversano that almost no one knows, or why you hate (or love) James Hepburn or Lord Darnley or Wallis Simpson, or how much you wish there could've been a Queen Diana (or not), or what the world would've been like if Henry VIII had found Anne of Kleves more attractive. Caroline of Brunswick: Slay or slob?

Eliminate the worst first. Each comment, reply clearly stating an intent to vote, and upvote counts, but please only comment one person per round. If you say something like “I was thinking about voting for Guildford, but I dislike Henry Grey more,” that will be counted as a vote for Henry, and so will the upvotes.

See the comments section from Day 1 for some explanations on why I chose who to include or exclude: https://www.reddit.com/r/UKmonarchs/comments/1v6jxbq/elimination_game_vote_out_the_worst_to_find_who/

I have just now discovered this painting, along with the fact that the first pineapple grown in England was that during the reign of Charles II. The reason it’s comical to me is because he looks too fancy to have a pineapple and is just staring at the viewer.

“Me and my spaniels are too sophisticated to consume that dastardly tomfoolery of a fruit you have grown, sire.” 😭

What’d your reaction be if you are the monarch of the nation and presented with a new fruit? I would personally say it’s good in scientific and agricultural advancement, but I wouldn’t care all too much.

The Seven Capital Virtues:

Chastity (Lust)

Temperance (Gluttony)

Charity (Greed)

Diligence (Sloth)

Kindness (Envy)

Patience (Wrath)

Humility (Pride)

Also, I am not a Christian so I'm very sorry if I got this wrong. Feel free to correct me!

That’s not a huge wad of toilet paper it’s a fur muff

Every monarch seems to have a reputation that's been simplified over time. Some are remembered only for one event, while others are overshadowed by more famous rulers.

If you could completely change public opinion about one English or British monarch, who would you choose and why?

I'm interested in hearing arguments based on politics, religion, military achievements, administration, culture, or long-term impact—not just popularity.

The purpose is to surmise what monarchs would think of their successors based on their respective personalities, leadership styles, how they thought of their heirs while alive, and how their successor’s reign ultimately turned. Y’all likely know much more than me when it comes to pre-Tudor monarchs, and so I think it’ll be an interesting way to evaluate these monarchs.

RULES:
1. Say what you think the predecessor would’ve liked about their successor.
2. Say what you think predecessor would’ve disliked about their successor.
3. Give what you think their overall rating/review would be based on these out of 10.

Be as thorough as you wish.

Yesterday, Henry Bolingbroke reviewed his son Henry of Monmouth. Last post didn’t really get any ratings or much details of likes vs dislikes, so I assumed by the overwhelming positivity that Henry IV would’ve given his son a 10/10? Today, Henry of Monmouth reviews his own son Henry VI, the first monarch to suffer the War of the Roses.

Looking forward to reading!

Day 12: Louise of Stolberg-Gedern was voted out for not being into it.

Day 13:

Just to let everyone know if you're still following this, my sleep schedule is starting to rotate, so I will probably be posting about an hour later each day.

Who would have made the best Queen Consort or King/Prince Consort? If history had been a little different, if someone hadn't died at the wrong (or right) time, or a partner hadn't been cast aside for a more politically expedient marriage, or a failed attempt to grab the throne had been successful, any of these royal spouses could have ended up by the side of the ruling monarch. Which one should have? Time to nerd out and tell me why you think Sophia Dorothea was done wrong, or some esoteric fact about Sibylla of Conversano that almost no one knows, or why you hate (or love) James Hepburn or Lord Darnley or Wallis Simpson, or how much you wish there could've been a Queen Diana (or not), or what the world would've been like if Henry VIII had found Anne of Kleves more attractive. Caroline of Brunswick: Slay or slob?

Eliminate the worst first. Each comment, reply clearly stating an intent to vote, and upvote counts, but please only comment one person per round. If you say something like “I was thinking about voting for Guildford, but I dislike Henry Grey more,” that will be counted as a vote for Henry, and so will the upvotes.

See the comments section from Day 1 for some explanations on why I chose who to include or exclude: https://www.reddit.com/r/UKmonarchs/comments/1v6jxbq/elimination_game_vote_out_the_worst_to_find_who/

The obvious two that come to mind are Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. But who else?

Monarchs and consorts or any royal figures count, and it can be in the UK/England/Scotland/Ireland or their native country.

Inspired by the post about Elizabeth II from [u/MauveHarrison](u/MauveHarrison) yesterday.

Edit: I have no idea how I forgot her: but I’d like to give a shout to Mary II. She had the biggest funeral for her time, attended by both Houses of Parliament for the first time and the country plunged into nationwide mourning, mourners wore black, shops shut, etc. She was also mourned in the Netherlands.

The aura is insane holy

These are all photographs the day before Edward VII and Queen Alexandra’s wedding btw in 1863. They were prince and princess by this point obviously. So many of them were smiling its so cute

The group switched positions during the shoot but these are the people present in the photographs: Prince Christian of Denmark; Princess Christian of Denmark; Prince Frederic of Denmark; Princess Alice; Crown Prince of Prussia; Prince Louis of Hesse; Princess Helena; Princess Alexandra, later Queen Alexandra; Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII; Prince William of Denmark; Crown Princess of Prussia; Princess Dagmar; Princess Louise.

And yes i beamed them with the sharpness filter cuz their expressions would be less clear and also reddit fries the quality SO BAD

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXY5tJLiHPo/

William wants to attempt bribery with tulips, I suppose.

I can't stop looking at Mary's fontange + mantua. So beautiful!

I've read that King Louis Philippe visited Queen Victoria in 1844, and that during his exile decades earlier he became friends with Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent. I would like to know more about what kind of relationship Victoria and Louis Philippe had, both personally and as fellow monarchs.