Figure 1.-- Here we see Harold and his older brother Leopod. Harold looks to be about 5 years old and wears a sweater. Leopold wears a sailor outfit, we can not tell what kind. He looks to be wraring it with some sort of pinatore. Perhaps the pinafore was considered necessary least the dog mess his clothes. Source: Image no. mw194058. National Portrait Gallery.

The photographic immages Eveleen Tennant Meyers produced are interesting and show how children from well-to-do soiciety were dressed. Difficult to understand. Both Harold and Leopold wore dresses when they were little which was not uncommon at the time. What we do not understand is that Harlod was breeched ad had his hair cut short before his older brother. Here we see Hrold wearing a sweter. His older bfother is wearing a pinafore with some sort of sailor outfit (figure 1). It is most likely a sailor suit, but we can't rell from the image. Family conventions concerning hair and clothing varied widely. This was, however, not common. And we notice that Leopold did not always wear skirted garments. We also notice images of him wearing trousers. Sailor outfits seem very popular reflecting popular fashions. We also see Harold, but not Leopold wearing a Fauntleroy velvet suit and lace collar. The children usually wore long stockings. A reader writes, "We saw something similar with the Hapsburgs where Prince Otto was dressed much more juvenile for a longer period (hair long too) than his younger brothers. It may have had something to do with primogeniture."

Created: 6:58 AM 8/20/2012
Last updated: 12:41 AM 8/22/2012