Men's Court Uniform

In 1851, court dress for civil servants and the royal household took the form of a uniform, as worn here by Lord John Russell, nearest the Royal Party in the left foreground of the painting. This uniform was devised in about 1815 by the Prince Regent, who based his designs on the dress worn by French army officers. The coat was made of navy blue wool, trimmed with elaborate gold embroidery. The exact width, disposition and design of the embroidery was determined by the wearer's status. The embroidery was worked into a design of oak leaves and acorns..