Edward VIII: Prince of Wales


Figure 2.-- David was invested Prince Edward of Wales at Caernarvon Castle in Wales, July 1911. He was about 17 at the time. The ceremonial costume consisted of a white tunic with a proliferation of pleats and ruffles, a white jabot of lace (worn at the neck), a navy blue belt with sword, white tights, and slippers with rosettes.

David wore very elaborate costumes for his inestiture ceremony as Prince of Wales. He wore a similar costume when he was made a Knight of the Garter. He was very embarassed by these costumes. He was a cadet at the time and concerbned that the other cadets would tease him.

Investment as Prince of Wales

David was the first Prince of Wales to be invested in 300 years. His father George V , for example, was not the Prince of Wales as he was a younger brother. I'm not sire why George IV was not invested. It was made into quite an event. David was invested Prince Edward of Wales at Caernarvon Castle in Wales, July 1911. He was about 17 at the time. The ceremonial costume consisted of a white tunic with a proliferation of pleats and ruffles, a white jabot of lace (worn at the neck), a navy blue belt with sword, white tights, and slippers with rosettes. Note that he wears the garter (signifying that he is a Knight of the Garter) around his right leg below the knee. A subordinate knightly order with tassels encircles his other leg. At his investiture, he was horrified at the costume. He was still a naval cadet at the time. He complained of what the other cadets would say if they saw him dressed like that.

Knight of the Garter

We also see David at about the same time (1911) when he was invested in his Garter robes as a Knight of the Garter. Underneath the black velvet cloak with the emblem of the Knights of the Garter emblazoned on it, Edward wears the same basic white tunic and tights that he wore to be installed as Prince of Wales. He had already been made a Knight of the Garter at the age of 16 (1910), but he wasn't formally invested in the ceremony at St. George's chapel at Windsor until a year later (1911). Note the chain of office as Prince of Wales that he wears over his shoulders, the huge gold tassels on the cloak, the ribboned epaulettes at his shoulders, and the plumed helmet that he carries. These ceremonial robes are still worn by members of the royal family and other members of the Order of the Garter on state occasions.






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Created: 6:06 AM 10/11/2004
Last updated: 8:47 PM 8/26/2009