ROYAL MOURNING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10044, 14 May 1910, Page 4

ROYAL MOURNING.

Before the nineteentn century Court rule required black to be worn for a year on the death of a reigning Prince, the mourning for a Sovereign being looked on as bding for the father of the nation. Subsequently, however, this rule was modified, and the Court itself now dictates all official mourning, intimating in each case the duration and degree However, when Queen Victoria died in the beginning of 1901, the old custom was followed, and the ladies of the Court were ordered to weav mourning for one year from the date of the order appearing in the "Court C;r-

cular." On that occasion the in-

stations issued stated that for the first six months the black was to be

unrelieved; the dresses were to be trimmed with crape; shoes, gloves, feathers, ornaments, all must be black; no shining materials—not even diamonds or pearls—must be worn. Black feathers and black veils

were correct at a Drawing Room. For the following six months the black might be relieved by white, grey, or coloured feathers, flowers, and ornamei'ts. Dresses of white or grey, with black ribbons and ornaments, might then be worn. The gentlemen of the Court wore black Court dresses, black swords and buckles, for the whole period of mourning. For some time to come the whole nation will be in mourning, the popu-

laiity of the late King beiDg based on sentiments so sincere that the natural impulse will be formost subjects to show some outward symbol of loss. In the colonies, where loyalty to the throne is a very marked characteristic of the people, doubtless some badge of respectful affection and dsep sense of loss will be worn by many. On the occasion of Queen Victoria's death the national mourning of England lasted only aix weeks. During such a time black only is worn, stuffs of dull substance—suede cloth, crape cloth, frieze, serge,

casnmere, crepe ae cmne, or nuns veiling. Neither satin nor velvet is admissable, nor ornaments of gold, diamonds, nor coloured jewels. Even after the prescribed period of national mourning is past, any subject invited to the presence of Koyalty during the time of Court mourning must don deep mourning.