The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-03-31
TO WEAR WHEN CROWNED
QUEEN ALEXANDRA P
 ATTENTION
ZINC

Medi"evRI-Every Article Absolutely
 New
 The one thing that the Queen has in-
 sisted on from the beginning is that
 the grace and beauty of her coronation robes shall not be sacrificed to historic
 precedent or to the College of Heralds.
 She has no mind to walk to her throne
 in Westminster Abbey looking like a
 picture out of the Middle Ages. Her
 robes will have a modern style so far as is possible.
 The Queen has had her share of the
 anXieties belonging to the preparation
 of ceremonial dress during the long
 period of her reign as Princess of | Wells; but all that sinks into insigni- ficance in comparison with the choos- | ing of her costume for the approaching l great event
 Her Majesty thinks it a good thing that a coronation can only occur once
 in lifetime. The selection of robes for such historic ceremony involves
 countless consideration of detail, which 1 do not enter into the choosing of dress
 for State ceremonials in general, as in- deed, the peeresses have discovered, who until a few days ago were in a narrowing state of uncertainty as to | the form of their kirtles and the length of their trains which the Lord Cham berlain's regulations will permit them to wear
 The Queen has her trials also, and her boudoir at Marlborough House has l, of a school of design and a modiste's estab- lishment combined. Shall it be silk or shall it be velvet? Is it to be embroid cred with gold or studded with gems? Shall the heraldic devices be put here or shall they be put there? are ques- tions which the Queen and her ladies are even yet discussing.
 Her Majesty for long years has been
 an example in elegance and suitability
 of dress to the women of this country.
 Never from the day she wore that love-
 ly gown wreathed from hem to waist
 with orange blossoms has she failed to
 take the palm for dress at all great ceremOnials, and she is not going to
 lose her reputation at the coronation,
 Many designs for robes taken from
 those worn by previous Queens Consort have been placed before her Majesty, and those of the Queen of James Fl. have found most favor. Indeed as the crown made for Mary Beatrice is the basis of that to be worn by the Queen, it seems in keeping that the robes of that same beautiful Consort should be suggestive at the present time.
 She wore a train of purple velvet, bordered with ermine, and a kirtle of white and silver brocade Her stonl- acher blazed with jewels and her robes were looped with ropes and tassels of pearls. Purple and silver have usually been delicated to the use of Queens Consort and red and gold to monarehs The stately Caroline of Anspach wore magnificent purple velvet robes and walked to her throne under a canopy carried by the Barone of the Cinque Ports, while her train was borne by the Princess Royal and the Prncesses Amelia and Caroline, attired in purple robes.
 The Queen will not walk under a canopy that ancient custom being omitted from the coming ceremony; but the precedent of having her train tdiIltu DA nti lIlItt lduSHttIS llldy Dc | and would certainly give dis tinction to the procession and prevent | rivalry among the peeresses.
 The Queen will wear everything new | on her coronation day, down to the | most insignificant item in her apparel, | saving only her jewels, and the gar ments worn will be preserved as me mentos of the occasion Indeed, the | ''new clothes" custom will be observed ! society, and in some of the poor quarters of London clothing clubs have been started, by which people can invest against coronation day.
 The crown was one of the earliest matters under the Queens considera- ton, and when it was brought from the Tower for their Majesties' inspection the Queen viewed the ancient head piece of royal consorts with a shiver We'll might she have asked in constar- nation: How can I wear it with my eoiffure?"
 In days gone by Queens were content 0 hide their lovely locks under a top leavy cap-like crown suggestive of 1antomine performances and their iege subjects would as soon have bought of criticising the shape of this symbol of regnant royalty as of taking exception to a peeress's tiara.
 We live in more democratic days, and he loyalty which is exhibited by all lasses with regard to the approaching does not prevent people laving their ideas on the dress of roy lty. All will be pleased that the Queen has practically discarded the old rown of previous queens consort and hat the gems which it contained will 'e reset in a new crown of more dainty 'roprtions and lighter design. It will est quite prettily and naturally around he Queens hair without disgusting it.
 The purple velvet cap upon which it 1ill be mounted will be less Obtrusive ! han in the old crown and the border ermine less pronounced So far as it an be said to be modelled after any rOwn it will resemble the one first | lade for Mary Beatrice, the Queen of ames IT., and the loveliest royal Con- | ort until the present time.
 It has, l believe, been finally decided hat the koh-i-nOOr will not occupy the entral position of the crown, but will ! [ e worn as an ornament in front of the | 1 lueen's bodice, in the same way that { CT late Majesty wore it of late years. 1 ustralia has hope that the wonder (