The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-17

A curious interest attaches to the
cream-colored horses which draw the
state coach of the British sovereign on
ceremonial occasions. They represent the
white house that was the standard of the
ancient SaXons, and is still preserved
oil the royal shield Of the House OF
Hanover. The famous white horse carved
on the slope of Ellington Hill in Berk-
shire is a proof that it was known to
our Saxon ancestors, who thus recorded
their great victory over the Danes.
The opening of the British Parliament
by the King is the only daylight ceremon-
ial at the Court of st. James at WHICH
ladies must appear i'll full evening dress
At the recent function the Queen wore a
splendid robe of rich brocaded satin Of
ivory tint and some superb diamonds
In the Duchesses' Gallery her Grace of
Norfolk was a conspicuous figure In
dress of heavy white and gold brocade, a
diamond feur-de-lys holding her lappets
and plumes in position. The gems in her
crown and stomacher were the famous
Howard diamonds. The Duchess Of Som
erset. in Natter blue satin, also wore
family jewels of great beauty.
Princess Lichnowsky. wife of the Ger
man Ambassador, appeared in blue du
Roi velvet patterned with pearl roses.
and wore a wide bandeau of diamonds to
retain A fiat panache of white feathers
in her hair. No crown or dadem in all
the great assemblage was more effective
than the looped diamond headdress Of
Nine. de Villa Urruta, wife of the Span
ish envoy. 1t was composed of five large
pointed stars. which irradiated bars Of
light at each movement OF the wearer.
The wife of the Italian Amba ssad dor fav-
ored pale gray velvet allied to dim silver
and Brussels lace; and the wife of the
Russian Amba ssador. who has not been
seen at any state function for some time.
made a welcome reappearance, dressed
in maize colored satin bordered with
sables, and diamond embroidery on the
decolletage.
There was smaller attendance than
usual of cabinet ministers wives Lady
Crewe, Lady Beauchamp Mrs. Churchill,
and Mrs. Harcourt being absentees. Mrs.
Asquith, who escorted Miss Violet AS
quith, wore gray velvet edged. with
skunk, a drapery of tawny lace envelop-
ing the corsage and skirt, and small
diamond tiara. Miss Asquith was in
white brocade, and wore a filet of green
leaves in her hair A rich robe of cloth
of gold was worn by Lady Reay. Lady
Aberconway, in transparent jetted gauze
mounted on fOun0atlOn OF white SATIN,
was accompanied by her young daughter
in-law, Mrs. Francis McLaren, who was
attired i'm white and silver. Lady Jekyll.
mother of the latter, was in black satin,
and Lady Bellhaven, the Dowager Lady
Arran, Lady de Trafford. Lady Devon
port, and Lady Bigham all favored jet
ted robes.
In the row of peeresses in the House
Of Lords costumes were seen pearl gray.
pink. light blue, mauve. bronze. yellow,
emerald. purple, and brown, which goes
to prove that there is no predominant
tint. in society ladies' dresses this sea-
son. But the display Of gems was as
great and manifold as ever.
What looked to be a deliberate boy
colt of the royal opening Of Parliament
II such a 'Iese majestic were conceiv-
able in feudal Britain-was the absence
Of members Of the predominant party
in the House of Lords Yet If the truth
must be told, apart from the high off,
GERS of the state taking part in the
procession from the roofing room. there