Good or Bad

AUTHOR’S NOTEIn the reign of King George IV, the London Season started in April and ended at the beginning of June. As the years went by, it lasted until the middle of July. It was the dream of every debutante to be presented at a ‘Drawing Room’ in Buckingham Palace and to attend the numerous balls that were given in the large houses in Mayfair, Islington and Belgravia. The Drawing Room was a Ceremonial Reception that was, at the beginning, always held in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace at three o’clock precisely and there were several every year. Later, they became an evening reception with a buffet of food and drink. Ladies wishing to be presented could only obtain the honour through a relation or a friend who had previously been presented and with the strict approval of the Lord Chamberlain. Débutantes, where possible, were presented by their mothers. The lady who would make the presentation had to appear with whom she presented and in addition both of them must have unblemished characters and their conduct must be above reproach. There was no question at all of anyone who had been through a Divorce Court being accepted. At the first Drawing Room of the Season, the whole of the Corps Diplomatique were in full attendance with their elaborate gold uniforms adding to the great glamour of the ladies, who had three Prince of Wales’s white feathers on their heads and a train to their gowns. Her Majesty would then go first to the Council Room, where she would greet the Royal Family. When the members who were expected had arrived, the Queen would be warned.