presentation queen

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, sitting on the throne for 71 years. She was succeeded by King Charles III in 2022.

Who Was Queen Elizabeth II?

Quick facts, early life and family tree, ascension to the crown and coronation, husband prince philip, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family scandals and losses, death and funeral, latest news: one year since her death.

On the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, King Charles shared an unreleased photo of the late queen. “In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,” he said in a statement. Additionally, Prince William and Princess Kate attended a private church service in Wales to commemorate her life, and Prince Harry visited the chapel at Windsor Castle , where the queen is buried. Planning for a memorial to Elizabeth is underway. The targeted unveiling is 2026, the year she would have turned 100.

Queen Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom on February 6, 1952, at age 25 and was crowned on June 2, 1953. She was the mother of Prince Charles , who ascended to the throne after her death, as well as the grandmother of Princes William and Harry . As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she tried to make her reign more modern and sensitive to a changing public while maintaining traditions associated with the crown. Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022, at age 96.

FULL NAME: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary BORN: April 21, 1926 DIED: September 8, 2022 BIRTHPLACE: London, England, United Kingdom PARENTS: King George VI and Queen Mother Elizabeth SPOUSE: Prince Philip CHILDREN: King Charles III , Princess Anne , Prince Andrew , and Prince Edward ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London. Her parents were then known as the Duke and Duchess of York. Prince Albert—later known as King George VI —was the second son of Queen Mary and King George V . Her mother was Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon .

Elizabeth had ties with most of the monarchs in Europe. Her British ancestors include Queen Victoria (ruled 1837 to 1901) and King George III (ruled 1760 to 1820).

At the time of her birth, most people didn’t realize Elizabeth would someday become the queen of the United Kingdom. Nicknamed Lilibet, she got to enjoy the first decade of her life with all the privileges of being a royal without the pressures of being the heir apparent.

Elizabeth’s father and mother divided their time between a home in London and Royal Lodge, the family’s home on the grounds of Windsor Great Park. Elizabeth and her younger sister, Margaret , were educated at home by tutors. Academic courses included French, mathematics, and history, along with dancing, singing, and art lessons.

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Elizabeth and her sister largely stayed out of London, having been relocated to Windsor Castle. From there she made the first of her famous radio broadcasts in 1940, with this particular speech reassuring the children of Britain who had been evacuated from their homes and families. The 14-year-old princess, showing her calm and firm personality, told them “that in the end, all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace.”

Elizabeth soon started taking on other public duties. Appointed colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards by her father, Elizabeth made her first public appearance inspecting the troops in 1942. She also began to accompany her parents on official visits within Britain.

In 1945, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help in the war effort. She trained side-by-side with other British women to be an expert driver and mechanic. While her volunteer work only lasted a few months, it offered Elizabeth a glimpse into a different, non-royal world. She had another vivid experience outside of the monarchy when she and Margaret were allowed to mingle anonymously among the citizenry on Victory in Europe Day .

When Elizabeth’s grandfather King George V died in 1936, his eldest son (Elizabeth’s uncle) became King Edward VIII . Edward, however, was in love with American divorcée Wallis Simpson and had to choose between the crown and his heart . In the end, Edward chose Simpson and abdicated the crown.

The event changed the course of Elizabeth’s life, making her the heir presumptive to the British crown. Her father was crowned King George VI in 1937, taking on the name George to emphasize continuity with his father. Her mother became Queen Elizabeth.

Fifteen years later, the monarchy changed hands again when King George died. The younger Elizabeth assumed the responsibilities of the ruling monarch on February 6, 1952. At that point, the 25-year-old became Queen Elizabeth II, and her mother became Queen Mother.

Elizabeth was crowned on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey, at the age of 27. For the first time ever, the coronation ceremony was broadcast on television, allowing people from across the globe to witness the pomp and spectacle of the event.

Elizabeth married her distant cousin Philip Mountbatten (a surname adopted from his mother’s side) on November 20, 1947, at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Elizabeth first met Philip, son of Prince Andrew of Greece, when she was only 13. She was smitten with him from the start. The two kept in touch over the years and eventually fell in love.

They made an unusual pair. Elizabeth was quiet and reserved, while Philip was boisterous and outspoken. Her father, King George, was hesitant about the match because, while Mountbatten had ties to both the Danish and Greek royal families, he didn’t possess great wealth and was considered by some to have a rough personality.

At the time of their wedding, Great Britain was still recovering from the ravages of World War II, and Elizabeth collected clothing coupons to get fabric for her gown.

The family took on the name Windsor, a move pushed by her mother and Prime Minister Winston Churchill that caused tension with her husband. In 1960, she reversed course, issuing orders that her descendants who didn’t carry royal titles (or needed last names for legal purposes such as weddings) would use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. Over the years, Philip inspired numerous public relations headaches with his off-the-cuff, controversial comments and rumors of possible infidelities.

Philip died on April 9, 2021, at age 99. Days later, Prince Andrew told the media Queen Elizabeth described his death “as having left a huge void in her life.” She had previously said he was her “strength and stay.”

Elizabeth and Philip wasted no time in producing an heir: Their son Charles was born in 1948, the year after their wedding, and their daughter, Anne , arrived in 1950. As queen, Elizabeth had two more children—sons Andrew and Edward —in 1960 and 1964, respectively.

King Charles III

In 1969, Elizabeth officially made Charles her successor by granting him the title of Prince of Wales. Hundreds of millions of people tuned in to see the ceremony on television.

In 1981, Charles, then 32, wed 19-year-old Diana Spencer, who became known as Princess Diana . The wedding drew enormous crowds in the streets of London, and millions watched the proceedings on television. Public opinion of the monarchy was especially strong at that time. Later, rumors surfaced that he was pressured into the marriage by his family.

Now King Charles III, he is married to Queen Camilla .

Princess Anne

Princess Anne began working as a member of the royal family when she was 18 in 1969 and continues today. She is also heavily involved in charity work. A noted equestrian, Anne competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Her mother opened the Games that year, and the rest of the royal family traveled to support Anne.

Previously married to Captain Mark Phillips, she and her current husband, Timothy Laurence, wed in 1992.

Prince Andrew

Andrew was the first child born to a reigning monarch in more than 100 years. In 1979, he joined the British Royal Navy, became a helicopter pilot, and served during the Falkland War in the early 1980s. He became the Duke of York after marrying Sarah Ferguson , though the couple later divorced. Following scandal, Andrew stepped back from public duties in his royal capacity in 2019, a decision that was made permanent in 2022.

Prince Edward

The queen’s youngest child, Edward, worked in theater and television production for many years, at one point through his own production company. Since 2002, he has worked full-time supporting his mother and now brother. Edward is married to Sophie Rhys-Jones. He became the Duke of Edinburgh—a title previously held by his father—in March 2023.

Queen Elizabeth had eight grandchildren and was great-grandmother to 12 in her lifetime.

Her most well-known grandchildren are Charles and Diana’s sons, Prince William , who became second-in-line to the throne at his birth in 1982, and Prince Harry , born in 1984. Elizabeth emerged as a devoted grandmother to her grandsons. Prince William has said that she offered invaluable support and guidance as he and Kate Middleton planned their 2011 wedding.

In addition to Princes William and Harry, the queen’s other grandchildren are: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, born to Princess Anne; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, born to Prince Andrew; and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, born to Prince Edward. Peter is Elizabeth’s oldest grandchild; he was born in 1977, four years before his sister and five years before Prince William.

William and Kate have three children, who are Elizabeth’s great-grandchildren. The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed Prince George Alexander Louis in July 2013, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana in May 2015, and Prince Louis Arthur Charles in April 2018. All three are currently in the line of succession directly after their father.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan Markle gave the queen two more great-grandchildren with the birth of their son, Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor , and daughter, Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor , in May 2019 and June 2021, respectively.

Elizabeth’s other great-grandchildren include Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Mia Tindall, Lena Tindall, August Brooksbank, Lucas Tindall, and Sienna Mozzi.

Elizabeth’s long and mainly peaceful reign was marked by vast changes in her people’s lives, in her country’s power, how Britain is viewed abroad, and how the monarchy is regarded and portrayed. As a constitutional monarch, Elizabeth didn’t weigh in on political matters, nor did she reveal her political views. However, she conferred regularly with her prime ministers.

When Elizabeth became queen, post-war Britain still had a substantial empire, dominions, and dependencies. However, during the 1950s and 1960s, many of these countries achieved independence, and the British Empire evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations. Elizabeth II thus made visits to other countries as head of the Commonwealth and a representative of Britain, including a groundbreaking trip to Germany in 1965. She became the first British monarch to make a state visit there in more than five decades.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Elizabeth continued to travel extensively. In 1973, she attended the Commonwealth Conference in Ottawa, Canada and, in 1976, traveled to the United States for the 200 th anniversary celebration of America’s independence from Britain. More than a week later, she was in Montreal to open the Summer Olympics. In 1979, she traveled to Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, which garnered international attention and widespread respect.

In 1982, Elizabeth worried about her second son, Prince Andrew , who served as a helicopter pilot in the British Royal Navy during the Falklands War. Britain went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, a clash that lasted for several weeks. While more than 250 British soldiers died in the conflict, Prince Andrew returned home safe and well, much to his mother’s relief.

In 2011, Elizabeth showed that the crown still had symbolic and diplomatic power when she became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since 1911 (when all of Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom).

As queen, Elizabeth modernized the monarchy, dropping some of its formalities and making certain sites and treasures more accessible to the public. As Britain and other nations struggled financially, Britain abolished the Civil List in 2012, which was a public funding system of the monarchy dating back roughly 250 years. The royal family continues to receive some government support, but the queen cut back on spending.

Also in 2012, Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years as queen. As part of the jubilee festivities, a special BBC concert was held on June 4 featuring the likes of Shirley Bassey , Paul McCartney , Tom Jones , Stevie Wonder , and Kylie Minogue. Elizabeth was surrounded by family at this historic event, including her husband Philip, son Charles, and grandsons Harry and William.

On September 9, 2015, she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-ruling monarch, who reigned for 63 years.

Despite the occasional call to step aside for Charles, Elizabeth remained steadfast in her royal obligations as she passed her 90 th birthday in 2016. She continued making more than 400 engagements per year, maintaining her support of hundreds of charitable organizations and programs.

On February 6, 2017, the queen celebrated 65 years on the throne, the only British monarch to ever celebrate her Sapphire Jubilee. The date also marks the anniversary of the death of her father. The queen chose to spend the day quietly at Sandringham, her country estate north of London, where she attended a church service. In London, there were royal gun salutes at Green Park and at the Tower of London to mark the occasion. The Royal Mint also issued eight new commemorative coins in honor of the queen’s Sapphire Jubilee.

Later that year, the monarchy took what was considered a major step toward transitioning to the next generation: On November 12, Charles handled the traditional Remembrance Sunday duty of placing a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial, as the queen watched from a nearby balcony.

In August 2019, Elizabeth made a rare intrusion into political matters when she agreed to a request by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to suspend Parliament until October 14, less than three weeks before Britain’s planned departure from the European Union.

In 2022, the nation celebrated Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee year. Another milestone for the monarchy, it marked her 70 years on the throne.

Relationship With Prime Ministers

Elizabeth had 15 prime ministers placed into power during her reign, with the queen and PM having a weekly, confidential meeting. (Elizabeth also met about a quarter of all the U.S. presidents in history, most recently receiving Joe Biden for a state visit in June 2021.)

She enjoyed a father-figure relationship with the iconic Winston Churchill and was later able to loosen up a bit and be somewhat informal with Labour leaders Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. In contrast, she and Margaret Thatcher had a very formal, distant relationship, with the PM tending to be a grating lecturer to the queen on a variety of issues.

Tony Blair saw certain concepts around the monarchy as somewhat outdated, though he did appreciate Elizabeth making a public statement after the death of Princess Diana .

Later, Conservative leader David Cameron, who was Elizabeth’s fifth cousin removed, enjoyed a warm rapport with the queen. He apologized in 2014 for revealing in a conversation that she was against the Scottish referendum to seek independence from Great Britain.

Theresa May was described as being tight-lipped about Brexit plans to leave the European Union, with a rumor circulating that Elizabeth was perturbed over not being informed about future exit strategies.

Two days before her death, Elizabeth welcomed her final prime minister, Liz Truss , at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The September 6, 2022, meeting was her final act as monarch.

Threats to Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family

Elizabeth worked tirelessly to protect the image of the monarchy and to prepare for its future. But she saw the monarchy come under attack during her lifetime. The once-revered institution weathered a number of storms, including death threats against the royal family.

In 1979, Elizabeth suffered a significant personal loss when Lord Mountbatten, her husband’s uncle, died in a terrorist bombing. Mountbatten and several members of his family were aboard his boat off the west coast of Ireland when the vessel exploded on August 27. He and three others, including one of his grandsons, were killed. The Irish Republican Army, which opposed British rule in Northern Ireland, took responsibility for the attack.

In June 1981, Elizabeth herself had a dangerous encounter. She was riding in the Trooping the Colour, a special military parade to celebrate her official birthday when a man in the crowd pointed a gun at her. He fired, but fortunately, the gun was loaded with blanks. Other than receiving a good scare, the queen wasn’t hurt.

Elizabeth had an even closer call the following year when an intruder broke into Buckingham Palace and confronted her in her bedroom. When the press got wind of the fact that Prince Philip was nowhere to be seen during this incident, they speculated about the state of the royal marriage.

The marriage of Elizabeth’s son Charles to Diana made headlines for years before the couple announced their separation in 1992, followed by their formal divorce in 1996. In the wake of Diana’s death in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997, Elizabeth experienced intense media scrutiny. Her incredibly popular ex-daughter-in-law had been called the “People’s Princess.”

The queen was at her Balmoral estate in Scotland with Charles and his sons with Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry, at the time. For days, Elizabeth remained silent while the country mourned Diana’s passing, and she was sharply criticized for her lack of response.

Stories circulated that the queen didn’t want to give Diana a royal funeral, which only fueled public sentiment against the monarch. Nearly a week after Diana’s death, Elizabeth returned to London and issued a statement on the late princess.

Elizabeth also initially objected to the relationship between her son Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles . Charles and Camilla had dated years before he met his family, but the relationship ended under family pressure, only to resume during Charles and Diana’s marriage. Known to be a stickler for ceremony and tradition, she eventually showed signs of softening her stance over the years. When Charles and Camilla wed in 2005, Elizabeth and Prince Philip didn’t attend the civil ceremony but attended a religious blessing and held a reception in their honor at Windsor Castle.

In 1992, another of Elizabeth’s children, Prince Andrew, ended up in the tabloids after photos emerged of his wife, Sarah Ferguson , and another man engaged in romantic activity. The couple divorced soon after. Along with the dissolution of Charles’ and Andrew’s marriages, Princess Anne divorced her husband Mark Phillips that year. More bad news came when a fire broke out at Windsor Castle in November. The 15-hour blaze destroyed 115 rooms, though it only consumed two pieces of art from the queen’s valuable private collection. The year became known as her “annus horribilis.”

After the start of the 21 st century, Elizabeth experienced two great losses. She said goodbye to both her sister, Margaret, and her mother in 2002, the same year she celebrated her Golden Jubilee that marked her 50 th year on the throne. Margaret, known for being more of an adventurous soul than other royals and who was barred from marrying an early love, died in February after suffering a stroke. Only a few weeks later, Elizabeth’s mother died at Royal Lodge on March 30 at the age of 101.

In November 2017, the media reported the queen had some $13 million invested in offshore accounts. The news came following the leak of the so-called “Paradise Papers” to a German newspaper, which shared the documents with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. The Duchy of Lancaster, which holds assets for the queen, confirmed that some of its investments were overseas accounts but insisted they were all legitimate.

Also in 2017, the former owner of the lingerie company Rigby & Peller, which had serviced Elizabeth for more than 50 years, wrote a tell-all autobiography that included some of her experiences with the royal family. Although the author insisted that “the book doesn’t contain anything naughty,” the queen responded in early 2018 by revoking Rigby & Peller’s royal warrant.

In 2019, Prince Andrew was forced to step down from public duties, following a media firestorm. Andrew had courted years of scandal surrounding his controversial business pursuits and friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ,

Just weeks later, in January 2020, the family again found themselves in the spotlight, following the bombshell decision by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to step away from their roles as senior royals.

For much of her life, the queen surrounded herself with dogs. She was especially known for her love of corgis, owning more than 30 descendants of the first corgi she received as a teenager, until the death of the final one, Willow, in 2018.

Elizabeth was also a horse enthusiast who bred thoroughbreds and attended racing events for many years.

Not one for the spotlight, Elizabeth liked quiet pastimes. She enjoyed reading mysteries, working on crossword puzzles, and reportedly, even watching wrestling on television.

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at her Balmoral estate in Scotland on September 8, 2022, at 3:10 p.m. local time. She was 96 years old. Her official cause of death was old age, according to her death certificate.

The public was first aware of the queen’s ill health earlier that day when Buckingham Palace issued at statement around 12:30 p.m. that said, “Following further evaluation this morning, the queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.”

Soon, members of the royal family began traveling to see the queen. At the time of her death, Prince Charles and Camilla, as well as Princess Anne were at the castle. William, Harry, Andrew, Edward, and Sophie arrived later in the evening. Kate Middleton didn’t travel to say her final goodbyes, citing the recent start of the school year for her children. Meghan Markle was also absent.

Her death was publicly announced at 6:30 p.m. After, newly minted King Charles issued a statement that said:

The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.

On September 14, Elizabeth’s coffin traveled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall by horse-drawn carriage and lay in state for four days. The day of her state funeral, September 19, was declared a bank holiday. The funeral was held at Westminster Abbey and ended with two minutes of silence, observed there and throughout the United Kingdom.

President Joe Biden , First Lady Jill Biden , French President Emmanuel Macron , and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were among the dozens of world leaders and 2,000 total people in attendance. Millions more watched or listened in; the funeral was broadcast on TV and radio and streamed on YouTube. Elizabeth’s pony and her corgis, Muick and Sandy, watched the procession, as did tens of thousands of people.

A private burial came later that day. Elizabeth was buried with Prince Philip at the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

• I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
• 1992 is not a year I shall look back on with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an “annus horribilis.”
• When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.
• Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.
• Grief is the price we pay for love.
• I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.
• In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognize how precious is the peace we have built in Europe since 1945.
• We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us

Adrienne directs the daily news operation and content production for Biography.com. She joined the staff in October 2022 and most recently worked as an editor for Popular Mechanics , Runner’s World , and Bicycling . Adrienne has served as editor-in-chief of two regional print magazines, and her work has won several awards, including the Best Explanatory Journalism award from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers. Her current working theory is that people are the point of life, and she’s fascinated by everyone who (and every system that) creates our societal norms. When she’s not behind the news desk, find her hiking, working on her latest cocktail project, or eating mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

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The Queen of England - Minitheme

The queen of england - minitheme presentation, premium google slides theme and powerpoint template.

With much love, admiration and respect, we have designed a template about one of the most recognized personalities in every corner of the planet. She is the Queen of England, whose reign took place between 1952 and 2022, one of the longest reigns in history. 70 years of authentic service to her country. The design has an elegant and sober style, with cream and black colors for the backgrounds combined with small decorations in gold. Everything is arranged for you to make a presentation of what was the great monarch of England including facts about her history, her reign and other information. This is our little tribute, Lilibet.

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246 Best Queen-Themed Templates for PowerPoint & Google Slides

With over 6 million presentation templates available for you to choose from, crystalgraphics is the award-winning provider of the world’s largest collection of templates for powerpoint and google slides. so, take your time and look around. you’ll like what you see whether you want 1 great template or an ongoing subscription, we've got affordable purchasing options and 24/7 download access to fit your needs. thanks to our unbeatable combination of quality, selection and unique customization options, crystalgraphics is the company you can count on for your presentation enhancement needs. just ask any of our thousands of satisfied customers from virtually every leading company around the world. they love our products. we think you will, too" id="category_description">crystalgraphics creates templates designed to make even average presentations look incredible. below you’ll see thumbnail sized previews of the title slides of a few of our 246 best queen templates for powerpoint and google slides. the text you’ll see in in those slides is just example text. the queen-related image or video you’ll see in the background of each title slide is designed to help you set the stage for your queen-related topics and it is included with that template. in addition to the title slides, each of our templates comes with 17 additional slide layouts that you can use to create an unlimited number of presentation slides with your own added text and images. and every template is available in both widescreen and standard formats. with over 6 million presentation templates available for you to choose from, crystalgraphics is the award-winning provider of the world’s largest collection of templates for powerpoint and google slides. so, take your time and look around. you’ll like what you see whether you want 1 great template or an ongoing subscription, we've got affordable purchasing options and 24/7 download access to fit your needs. thanks to our unbeatable combination of quality, selection and unique customization options, crystalgraphics is the company you can count on for your presentation enhancement needs. just ask any of our thousands of satisfied customers from virtually every leading company around the world. they love our products. we think you will, too.

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The Court Presentation

When the date of a drawing room was announced, letters poured into the Lord Chamberlain, suggesting names of ladies for presentation. Everyone who had kissed the Queen’s hand was able to nominate another for presentation. But it wasn’t guaranteed that any name submitted was accepted. The list underwent careful scrutiny by both the Lord Chamberlain and the Queen, Her Majesty only receiving those who “wore the white flower of a blameless life.”

There were only three qualifications for admittance to the throne room:

• The lady wishing to be presented should be of good moral and social character.
• Presentation had to be made by someone who had already been presented.
• The status of the actual presentee. The most obvious candidates, the wives and daughters of the aristocracy, had the privilege of being kissed by Queen Victoria (though no kisses were received if the Princess of Wales were acting as stand-in, and the practice was dropped entirely in the Edwardian era), then came the ranks of those candidates whose presentation would be sealed by the action of kissing the Queen’s hand. These included the daughters and wives of the country gentry and Town gentry, of the clergy, of naval and military officers, of professional men such as physicians and barristers, of merchants, bankers and members of the Stock Exchange, and “persons engaged in commerce on a large scale.”

Summonses were sent out three weeks in advance, allowing ample time for the excited debutante or newly married lady, to practice the complicated court curtsy and order the regulated costume demanded for presentation, as laid out, via the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, in Lady Colin Campbell’s Manners and Rules of Good Society , 1911 edition:

High Court Dress : dress of silk satin or velvet may be worn at Their Majesties Courts and on other State occasions by ladies to whom from illness infirmity or advancing age the present low Court dress is inappropriate. Bodices in front cut square or heart shaped which may be filled in with white only either transparent or lined at the back high or cut down three quarters height. Sleeves to elbow either thick or transparent. Trains, gloves, and feathers as usual. It is necessary for ladies who wish to appear in High Court Dress to obtain Royal permission through the Lord Chamberlain. This regulation does not apply to ladies who have already received permission to wear high dress.

White gloves only should be worn excepting in case of mourning when black or grey gloves are admissible. As a lady on presentation does not now kiss the Queen’s hand as formerly she did she is not required to remove the right hand glove before entering the Presence Chamber. This order therefore is no longer in force and a lady wearing elbow gloves and bracelets will find it a great convenience not to be to take off her glove.

White veils or lace lappets must be worn with the feathers. The veils should not be longer than 45 inches.

Bouquets are not included in the dress regulations issued by the Lord Chamberlain although they are invariably carried by both married and unmarried ladies. It is thus optional to carry a bouquet or not, and some elderly ladies carry much smaller bouquets than do younger ladies. A fan and a lace pocket handkerchief are also carried by a lady on presentation or on attending a Court but these two items are also altogether optional.

The young lady who persevered to the end, however, got her rewards. Carrying her train over her left arm, she made her way through the groups of attendants to the anteroom or corridor where one of the lords-in-waiting, with his wand, spread out her train she’d let down, and walked forward to the Throne Room.

Her name was announced as she curtsied before the Queen, so low as to almost kneel, and while doing such, she kissed the royal hand extended to her, underneath which she placed her own ungloved right hand. The peeress or daughter of a peer received a kiss from Queen Victoria. When the Princess of Wales stood in for Her Majesty, the lady being presented curtsied only and did not kiss the Princess’s hand. After passing Her Majesty, the débutante curtsied to any of the Princesses near her and retired backwards in what may be called a succession of curtsies until she reached the threshold of the doorway. The official in attendance replaced her train upon her arm and the presentation was complete!

As was stated above, the reception of a kiss on the cheek from the Queen or the gift of one upon her hand was tossed out when Edward VII came to the throne. Other, more important changes were made to the presentation ceremony. Things were sped up by his reign, the drawing rooms and levees switched to the evening and held in June; the telephone used to summon a débutante’s transport, thus easing the traffic; buffet supper, served from tables laid with gold plate helped to revive waiting ladies; and the court photographers were allotted a room for speedy snapshots of the women.

The workings of the levee were similar to those of the drawing rooms: dates announced and names submitted, and specific court dress required:

The Dress to be worn at Courts State Functions and Levees: Full dress uniform is invariably worn by all gentlemen entitled to wear it. All officers Scottish kilted corps should wear the kilt irrespective their being mounted officers or not. Gentlemen who do not wear uniform may wear either velvet Court dress new style; velvet Court dress old style; cloth Court dress.

The new style velvet Court dress is of black silk velvet. The body of the coat lined with white silk and the skirt with black silk. Steel buttons. Waistcoat of white satin or black silk velvet. Breeches of black silk velvet, black silk hose, patent leather shoes, steel buckled, white bow necktie, white gloves, sword, black beaver or silk cocked hat.

The velvet Court dress old style is very similar to the foregoing with the addition of a black silk wig bag at the back of the neck and lace frills and ruffles.

The cloth Court dress consists of a coat of dark mulberry claret or green cloth with black silk linings, gold embroidery on collar, cuffs, and pocket flaps, gilt buttons with Imperial Crown, waistcoat of white corded silk or white Marcella, breeches of cloth color of coat, black silk hose, patent leather shoes, sword, white bow necktie, white gloves, black beaver or silk cocked hat.

On certain days of the year, the so-called Collar days, high diplomatic and distinguished personages wear the collars and badges of the Garter, Thistle, St Patrick, Bath, and other Orders of Knighthood.

By the 1880s, American writers cynically shared that “ in time it became possible to achieve a Court introduction without the intercession of the American Envoy, simply by arousing, through means it would not be discreet to name, the interest of some English noblewoman whose exchequer was at a low ebb .” However that may be, this brief brush with royalty continued to be considered a stamp of social approval by nouveaux riches and foreign nobodies until its demise in 1958.

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I have a question.King Edward VII died in may 1910. Who were the debunates of 1910 presented to? And if the King died was there a london season that year? I can’t find any information on the london season of 1910–did it start in May or June.

You know what Jennifer? That’s an excellent question! I’m not entirely positive, but I would think that court mourning–which lasted a year–meant all court functions were canceled. I would posit that no debutantes were formally presented after Edward VII died, until George V’s next court in the spring of 1911–of which I have documentation as occuring. And I have an article about the London Season here .

Thank you so much for your reply. But, I have yet another question. I have read several accounts that King Edward VII held his court presentation in June not May. Since he died on May 6th 1910, did High-society still have a London Season meaning balls, and dinner parties, and all the rest of the events that make up the London season. Was there a private royal viewing at the Royal academy or was that canceled as well? I have dates that the Private viewing was always scheduled on the first monday of May. Is that true? Or was all of high-society in court mourning. I found your London season article very helpful. I have been following your blog for sometime–I am obessed with the Edwardian period-attempting to write a romance on it, but getting stuck with the facts of the London season of 1910– Long story why 1910–found a London 1910 travel guide and thought it would interesting especially since it was the end of an Era. I guess I am wondering was there really a london Season of 1910. If there wasn’t will change my whole direction of book. Thanks so much again– Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

I think I have that same guidebook! Baedeker’s London, right? I’ve done some digging, and according to a few New York Times Articles, Edward’s death threw the Season for a loop and Americans (since NYT is a US paper) withdrew from the capital to take part in the Parisian season. King George contemplated lessening mourning, but didn’t. Since the infamous “Black Ascot” has remained in our consciousness, I think the general markers of the London Season continued, but any true gaiety was absent. I think there wouldn’t be any court presentations for a year, but a debutante could come out in a private setting (as I said in this article, the court presentation had lost its social cachet for English high society, save social climbers and foreigners).

Thank you so much. I now can move on. It is amazing how a small detail can point you in the right direction. I am having so much fun digging for information. Again thank you.

I had a question about Debutantes during WWII: what was the environment like? I know they stopped in 1958, but was there any temporary hiatus because of the war? Thank you!

Hi Kate, according to Karen Baclawski’s The Guide to Historic Costume , “Court presentations were again interrupted by war from 1940—5.” You’d have to read some memoirs written by aristocrats detailing life during WWII, but I don’t think young ladies were too concerned with debuting when their male friends and family members were in action. There was a bit of struggle against the entrance of aristocratic young women into nursing and female military units, but as the war progressed, class prejudices against action dissolved.

If my reading memory serves correctly, Ascot took place in the 1910 Season. THe ladies wore black.

Yes Ascot–and other public events–did occur in 1910, but I don’t believe court presentations took place, as the English court was in deep mourning for a year.

How do you find out what dates Queen Victoria did receive people for presentation?

Hi Mary, the dates for the presentations were announced in the newspapers of the day, so if you have access to archives for The Times, you would probably find them there. Otherwise, etiquette books just listed the general times during the season when ladies and gentlemen could be presented to the Queen.

Did the newspapers of the day publish lists of those ladies presented at court? If so, what newspaper & section should I search under?

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Apparently; there exists a list of all Debutantes who attended Court, up to the 1950’s (58?) cancellation and scapping of the event in general.

Well my Grandmother apparently was a Debutante in the 1930’s.

Her name then: (Miss) Renee’ June France-Hayhurst.

Can anyone Help? Please?

I am reading this for the first time, and it is abit interesting. But then..they are announced, enter the room, curtsey the Queen and Princesses, and come out..Is that all? There should be something like the Queen having a conversation with the girl..All this charade just for a few minutes?

Yep! The girls did not need a conversation with the Queen–the fact that they could be presented showed that the Queen considered them elite enough to be acknowledged in her court.

What was the form of the actual invitation?

From a 1902 issue of The Pall Mall Gazette :

[N]ine hundred and fifty invitations were issued for Friday evening, March 14th. Those for Royalty were delivered by hand by an equerry-in-waiting, who occupied a royal carriage when he went upon his errand; less exalted personages received theirs by post. The cards are like those sent out in the last reign for State balls, and are endorsed with the words that the Lord Chamberlain “has been commanded by their Majesties to invite” the lucky recipient “to a Court to be held at Buckingham Palace on such and such a date.” Each member of a family invited receives a separate card.

“The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Their Majesties to summon _________ to a Court at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday the 26th June, 1929, at 9.30 o’clock p.m. Ladies: Court Dress with (underlined!) feathers and trains. Gentlemen: Full Court Dress.”

Thanks for the info, Sanford! 🙂

Were girls from countries like Australia, Canada and so on eligible to be presented?

If someone that was presented could vouch for them, then yes they were eligible.

Yes they were. Both my grandmother and her mother, as well as her sister, we’re presented at Court in the 1920s. They were all from Ottawa.

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I have a question that occurred to me as I was reading the descriptions of the head dress for ladies. How far back did the custom of ladies wearing three feathers go when being presented at court and when did that stop in favor of spectators?

I’m not sure. They’ve been associated with the Prince of Wales for centuries, however.

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Sorry if I’ve misunderstood, but girls from English colonies were eligible to be presented (as said below) – but American girls, except in the later years, were not? But they attended other functions during the season? Thanks!

Without knowing the specifics of the commenter below, what I can say is that girls had to have a sponsor. The point of the court presentation was for ladies of the nobility to make themselves known to their sovereign. If a non-aristocratic girl could find someone who had already been presented and didn’t have any scandal attached to their name (nor was divorced), they could submit their names to the Lord Chamberlain to be presented.

I hope this is the correct forum to ask this question. When the Queen of England attends an event with Phillip, is he ‘escorting’ her? Is the verb ‘escorting’ used to denote his being by her side? Thanks.

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Queen Elizabeth II

Subject: Cross-curricular topics

Age range: 7-11

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4 February 2024

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Monarchy Monday: Presentation of Debutantes

The presentation of debutantes to the sovereign at court once marked the start of the social season.

From the time of Edward VII’s reign, court presentations of young women from aristocratic families took place to the monarch. The event was labeled as their “coming out” and the ladies were known as debutantes- the court presentation represented their first entree into society.

This is the scene outside Buckingham Palace on the day of a Court Drawing Room showing the Prince of Wales coach and two members of the Metropolitan Police on the left.

Those who wished to be presented had to have someone who had previously been presented to the Sovereign apply on their behalf. This could be their mother or someone close to the family, once accepted a royal summons from the Lord Chamberlain would be sent. This was also a great way for the debutantes to find a suitable bachelor. Bachelor’s would also be attending in hopes of finding their future wife.

Debutantes had to wear full court dress, with three tall ostrich feathers in their hair to set them apart- their presenter (typically their mother wore two feathers) and a dress with a train of a prescribed length. Upon entering, they would curtsey, after their presenter and they were announced, then perform a choregraphed backwards walk and another curtsy, never turning their back on the King or Queen. The ceremony was known as an evening court, corresponded to the “court drawing rooms” of Victoria’s reign- think Lady Rose in Downton Abbey to get a better idea!

Typically the court dress was a white evening dress with short sleeves, but certain shades of pink or ivory were allowed. White gloves and a veil attached with the three ostrich feathers in the hair and a train. Debutantes would finish their outfit with pearls and many would wear their family heirlooms.

The ceremony was replaced with more casual afternoon reception after the end of World War II, the choreographed curtsies and court dress also went away. The Queen did away with the debutantes presentation in 1958, in their place stood Garden Parties.

Peter Townsend, best known for his failure to marry Princess Margaret as she would have to renounce her royal privileges as he was a divorced man, made an attempt to keep the tradition by planning parties for the young women who would have been presented at Court. Yet with no royal patronage the events did not have much connection to the rest of the social season and became insignificant.

I wish I could go back to a time where the presentation of debutantes still existed. There is something I find so romantic about the whole event! I guess I will just have to settle for my dreams!

Photo Credit:  Leonard Bentley  via Flickr

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From balls to Bridgerton : a brief history of debutantes and the social season

Featuring ball gowns, eligible bachelors and a chance to meet royalty – the world of the debutante certainly seems like a glamourous one. But what was life really like for these young women chosen to be presented to society? Carolyn Harris explores…

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On 17 July 1958, Sandra Seagram, the last debutante presented to the royal family at Buckingham Palace , curtseyed to the Queen Mother and Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth II was unwell and unable to attend the historic ceremony. Seagram was a 20-year-old Canadian and a great-granddaughter of Joseph Emm Seagram, the founder of the Seagram Whiskey distillery in Waterloo, Ontario, which became the largest owner of alcoholic beverage lines in the world. The Canadian Press reported that Seagram, whose mother and grandmother had also been presented at court, was one of “forty Canadian debutantes presented along with some 200 other Commonwealth girls”.

In March of that same year, Fiona MacCarthy was one of 1,400 debutantes presented in groups of four or five hundred to the queen and Prince Philip. In her memoir, Last Curtsey: The End of the Debutantes , MacCarthy wrote: “Impossible to be there and not be conscious of the long line of our predecessors, going back to the late eighteenth-century ingénues led in by their powder-haired aristocratic mothers to curtsey to Queen Charlotte at her birthday feast.” The Scottish debutantes made their curtsey to the monarch at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on 3 July 1958.

A debutante was considered especially successful if she became engaged after a single season

The tradition of the social season lasted nearly 180 years, officially lasting from the reign of George III to the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. During this time, young women from wealthy or well-connected families made their formal debut in society by curtseying to the monarch. After this formal presentation at court, the debutantes participated in the season, a series of social occasions where they might form lasting friendships with other elite young women and meet equally wealthy and well-connected husbands. A debutante was considered especially successful if she became engaged after a single season – but by the 20th century, most debutantes participated in at least two social seasons and pursued accomplishments and charity work before their eventual marriages.

What is a debutante and who could become one?

What did debutantes wear.

MacCarthy recalled that: “Preparations for the Season had gone on for several months before the presentations.” Debutantes spent a few months in a finishing school prior to their presentation, learning a foreign language and perfecting their dancing, deportment and the all-important royal curtsey. A new wardrobe was essential. MacCarthy recalled that every debutante needed: “a minimum of six dance dresses, of which one must be white for the Queen Charlotte’s Ball in May. Two or three of the dresses needed to be long and relatively formal, for the grander balls in London; the others could be short, for dances in the country. Debs also needed several day dresses in silk or chiffon, suitable for Ascot, Henley, the Fourth of June at Eton. Further necessities were shoes and gloves and handbags and especially hats...”

While a debutante might have a custom-made gown for her presentation at court and her own debutante ball, by the 1950s, debutantes and their mothers often selected the rest of their wardrobe at fashionable London department stores such as Harrods .

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Once the season began, there were months of almost constant social functions such as luncheons, teas and debutante balls (the latter including the Queen Charlotte ’s ball, named for the queen consort of George III, at which the guest of honour – usually a member of the royal family – cut a six-foot-tall cake). The dates of these events had to be chosen carefully to avoid conflicting with one another. When the London season came to an end in mid-summer, there would be country house parties and dances, and a Scottish season in the autumn. Not all debutantes participated in the entire season, and those visiting London from overseas might return home soon after the presentation at court. For young women who participated in the entire season, there would be nearly constant social events from March until October and opportunities to make new friends and meet potential husbands.

Bridgerton: everything you need to know

When was the first debutante ball?

The presentation of aristocratic young women to the monarch at the English court is a tradition that dates from at least the reign of Elizabeth I (1558–1603), who chose her ladies-in-waiting from prominent families. The structure of the social season that endured until 1958, however, emerged in the reign of King George III in response to the changing relationship between the royal family and society. The Georgian monarchs were the target of satirical press coverage that emphasised King George III’s and Queen Charlotte’s frugality, and the future King George IV’s extravagance. George III countered this bad press by creating the court circular to publicise the work of the royal family and becoming involved in more philanthropic work. In 1780, Queen Charlotte presided over the first Queen Charlotte’s Ball, which not only celebrated the queen’s birthday but raised money for the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea hospital, one of the oldest maternity hospitals in Europe.

As Kristen Richardson notes in The Season: A Social History of the Debutante, “King George III and Queen Charlotte expanded and nurtured a newly codified social season”. The debut of young women into elite society became closely associated with the philanthropic work of the royal family. A formal court presentation became the high point of a London social season of balls, parties and sporting events that lasted from Parliament’s Easter session break to adjournment and the start of grouse shooting season in the countryside in August.

Who could become a debutante?

The social background of the debutantes presented at the British court slowly began to expand during the reign of Queen Victoria . An 1859 etiquette manual by James Hogg, The Habits of Good Society , stated that in addition to members of the aristocracy: “The wives and daughters of the clergy, of military and naval officers, of physicians and barristers can be presented. These are the aristocratic professions … The wives and daughters of merchants or men in business (excepting bankers), are not entitled to presentation. Nevertheless, though many ladies of this class were refused presentation early in this reign, it is certain many have since been presented, whether by accident, or by a system of making the Queen more accessible…”

The wealthiest American heiresses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aspired to presentation at the British court, where they might meet landed aristocrats seeking wives with independent fortunes. Since only a woman who had been presented at court herself could recommend a debutante for presentation, aristocratic women with titles but few financial resources sometimes accepted payments from wealthy families on both sides of Atlantic to facilitate a debutante’s presentation at court – thereby expanding the number of young women presented.

While the social background of an acceptable debutante expanded, the rituals at court became increasingly formalised in the 19th century – as Fiona MacCarthy notes: “By 1837, when Queen Victoria ascended the throne, the term ‘debutante’ was in general use and young girls would be summoned to Queen Victoria’s drawing rooms, then held in St. James’ Palace, to make their entrée to society. The dress code was at this point the elaborate long white court dress with ten-foot train, mystical white veil, the ostrich feather headdress, elbow-length white gloves.”

Debutantes spent months practising their formal curtseys, left knee locked behind the right knee and slowly descending while facing forward without the slightest wobble.

Debutantes around the world

The practice of elite young women entering society through a formal debutante presentation soon spread around the world. In the wider British empire , debutantes were presented to the Viceroy, Governor, or, after the Dominions achieved self-government, the Governor General. In Canada, Governor Lord Elgin held a levee in Bytown (now Ottawa) in 1853 where debutantes were presented. As James Powell of the Ottawa historical society notes: “By the time of Confederation [in 1867], the presentation of debutantes to the Governor General was in full swing with ‘drawing rooms’ held in the Senate chamber on Parliament Hill.” In Australia, the Governor and later the Governor General presided over debutante presentations both in the capital and in more distant regions. Historian Berenice Wright wrote: "If that person [the Governor or Governor-General] visited an outlying area, they [the communities] would quite often rustle up a Debutante Ball.” In the wider British empire and Dominions, the dress code was more relaxed than at Buckingham Palace; formal court dress was neither expected nor required.

The United States became independent from the British crown after the American Revolutionary Wars (1775–83), but it retained the tradition of debutante presentations. At George Washington ’s presidential levees in Philadelphia and later in Washington DC, which attracted critical scrutiny because of their similarity to a royal court, debutantes were presented to the president and first lady. Debutante events continued to take place in Washington DC into the 20th century. The future first lady Eleanor Roosevelt found the experience of coming out into society uncomfortable, especially because she made her debut just a year after her beautiful and confident cousin, Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt wrote: “I knew I was the first girl in my mother’s family who was not a belle, and… I was deeply ashamed.”

American debutante presentations were not restricted to political circles. Individual American cities, communities and organisations developed their own debutante traditions. High school proms began to take place in the 1920s and expanded in popularity after the Second World War. In High School Prom: Marketing, Morals and the American Teen , Ann Anderson notes: “Debutante balls signified wealth and class in a country that applauds the former and is decidedly uneasy about the latter… Prom is the democratic debutante ball.”

As the 20th century progressed, however, the presentation of debutantes at court appeared increasingly out of step with the changing times and the royal family had less interest in presiding over these ceremonies. King George V and Queen Mary dutifully accepted the curtsey of debutantes, only pausing the tradition in 1921 because of the Coal Strike, but in 1936, the new King Edward VIII did not have the patience for the multi-hour ceremony. As Anne de Courcy explains in Debs at War: How Wartime Changed Their Lives, 1939–1945 : “Halfway through the presentations … the King got his aide to announce that the rest ‘could consider themselves presented’ and left to play golf with Wallis Simpson .” King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) suspended presentations of debutantes at court during the Second World War. The Queen Charlotte’s Ball continued to take place throughout the war but by 1944, the attendees had to bring their own food and drink because of food shortages and rationing.

‘Bluestocking debs’ of the 1950s planned to attend university after the social season rather than seek an early marriage...

Even before the food shortages brought about by war, some of the debutantes themselves began to critique the discomfort that came with presentations at court and the subsequent social season. The long hours of waiting to be presented without food or drink, and the requirement to leave outerwear in the waiting cars or carriages regardless of the weather, had the potential to turn the presentation into an ordeal for the debutantes and their families. Deborah Mitford critiqued her dance partners at the subsequent social events, writing: “I have never seen anything like the collection of young men, all completely chinless.” For the families of eligible young women, the social season was expensive at a time when many of the landed aristocracy were struggling to hold on to their country estates. The young women themselves had more opportunities as the 20th century progressed. There was press coverage of ‘bluestocking debs’ in the 1950s who planned to attend university after the social season rather than seek an early marriage.

When Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in 1952 , both the young queen and her husband Prince Philip took an interest in modernising the monarchy, supporting the televising of the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 1953. Public engagements and philanthropic initiatives brought members of the royal family into contact with people from a wide variety of social classes and these more accessible royal occasions meant the presentation of an exclusive group of young women from wealthy families at court appeared especially anachronistic. Prince Philip considered the Queen Charlotte’s Ball “bloody daft” and did not understand why presentations of debutantes should continue to be held at Buckingham Palace. The queen’s sister, Princess Margaret , had a different critique of debutante presentations at court, commenting that “we had to put a stop to it… every tart in London was getting in”. With the end of formal debutante presentations at court in 1958 and the final Queen Charlotte’s Ball in 1976, garden parties, which had existed since the reign of Queen Victoria, became increasingly significant as events where the royal family could engage with men and women from all walks of life.

The end of the presentation of debutantes at court in the United Kingdom hastened the end of formal ceremonies for debutantes elsewhere in the Commonwealth. In Canada, Vincent Massey, the first Canadian born Governor General, presided over the last formal presentation of debutantes, at a charity ball at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa on 24 January 1958. In Australia, the debutante tradition developed into an inclusive rite of passage. The first Aboriginal debutante ball took place in 1968 when 16-year-old Pearl Anderson danced with Australian prime minister John Gorton. Modern Australian ‘deb balls’ traditionally take place in Year 11 of secondary school – but these events have been postponed in recent months because of the 2020–21 Covid-19 pandemic.

Do we still have debutante balls today?

In recent decades, there has been a revival of interest in the presentation of debutantes. Historical dramas including Downton Abbey and Bridgerton have depicted wealthy young women making their debut in society in the presence of members of the royal family. The Queen Charlotte’s Ball was revived in the 21st century by former debutante Jenny Hallam-Peel. In the absence of the monarch, the modern debutantes curtsey to the birthday cake itself and the event has been used to fundraise for a variety of charities.

Debutante balls continue to exist around the world and attract an international elite with an interest in networking and building future careers. Although the traditions associated with debutante presentations at court appear to belong to a bygone era, the idea of making a formal debut in society and marking a clear transition from childhood to adulthood continues to have appeal in the 21st century.

Dr Carolyn Harris is an instructor in history at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and the author of three books: Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada; Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette and Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting

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People worldwide were deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth ll. Elizabeth ll (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary April 21, 1926 – September 8, 2022) died at the age of 96 years, after reigning for 70 years. She was crowned on June 2, 1953. Her reign is the longest of any British monarch & also the longest verified reign for any female sovereign in history.

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The royal was joined by her husband, King Felipe of Spain, for the occasion.

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Queen Letizia of Spain opted for a unique fabric during her recent appearance at the “Miguel De Cervantes” Literature Award presentation on Tuesday. The royal was joined by her husband, King Felipe of Spain, for the event at the Alcalá de Henares University in Madrid.

The royal fashioned a tweed midi dress with frayed detailing on the cuffs of her sleeves and waistline. The dress featured shades of black, gray and lilac and a classic silhouette, to which the royal often gravitates. With the dress as the centerpiece of her look, Queen Letizia opted to wear black slingback heels courtesy of Massimo Dutti.

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More recently, Queen Letizia’s proclivity for classic silhouettes and style was on display during the royal’s visit to the Netherlands . Throughout the royal excursion alongside her husband, Queen Letizia fashioned looks by Carolina Herrera, Benchellal and Boss. On April 17, Queen Letizia showcased a different take on tweed, fashioning a green tweed dress by Moisés Nieto, which she coordinated with a bag by the same designer.

Queen Letizia’s Style Through the Years: The Best Looks So Far [PHOTOS]

Among her most memorable looks from the tour, Queen Letizia wore a dazzling royal blue gown by The 2nd Skin Co. with a belted waist and bow detailing on the sleeves. She paired the gown with a sparkling diamond loop tiara. Though the trip lasted only a few days, Queen Letizia’s elegant style was on full display.

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'Queer Storytime for Palestine' slammed by former IDF sergeant: 'Indoctrination'

by JULIAN BARON | The National Desk

AMHERST, Mass. (TND) — A former Israel Defense Forces sergeant is slamming a "Queer Storytime for Palestine" event that took place in Massachusetts last week, calling the showing an "indoctrination double whammy."

The activist organization Valley Families for Palestine organized the Amherst, Mass. event and celebrated its impact on social media. In a viral video of the event, a drag queen can be heard leading children in a "Free Palestine" chant.

Today what we’re going to do is shout ‘Free Palestine.’ Can I hear that?" the drag queen said. "If you're a drag queen and you know it, shout [Free Palestine]."

Eitan Fischberger, a former Israel Defense Forces sergeant, reacted to the video on social media.

Many commenters pointed out the oppression LGBT individuals face in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine scores 6/100 on the LGBT equality index calculated by Equaldex. Israel received a 64/100 score on the same scale.

"Members of the LGBTQ+ community are often murdered in Gaza and other Palestinian areas such as Ramallah," the activist organization StopAntisemitism wrote. "Often times members of the LGBTQ+ community seek refuge in Israel as their lives are endangered and their families excommunicate them."

During the event, Valley Families for Palestine accepted donations on behalf of Al-Qaws, an LGBT advocacy group based in East Jerusalem, according to a social media post. Al-Qaws was banned by the Palestinian Authority in 2019, with a police spokesperson claiming the group conflicted with "traditional Palestinian values."

The Palestinian Authority, which is the Palestinian government recognized by the 1994 Oslo Accords, later lifted the ban after widespread backlash from the international community.

Got a story idea or news tip? Reach out to Julian Baron on X or via email at [email protected].