The First Duke of Wellington's Coronation Robes at Apsley House

To mark the coronation of King Charles III, the 1st Duke of Wellington's coronation robes are on display at Apsley House in London until October 2023.
Keeper of the Wellington Collection, Olivia Fryman discusses the First Duke of Wellington's coronation robes worn at the coronation of George IV in 1821. These sumptuous and elaborate costumes highlight the pomp and pageantry of royal traditions and their recent conservation is an interesting insight into the effort that goes into maintaining fragile objects with such important significance.
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[@lumis5896]

The duke might have felt ridiculous because those outfits were so out of fashion, but I think they're completely gorgeous! Now that is a festive style for men to bring back!

[@user-fd4ib4yd3t]

Yes, the little twiglets legs in those balloon pantaloons, woowee!

[@karebear3152]

Sure the finer details are falling apart, but they seem to have held up extremely well for being 200 years old. They're beautiful! Brilliant work. Thanks for keeping history alive.

[@robnewman6101]

Last year for my 32 Birthday, my parents and I went to The City of London to visit Apsley House Museum. After we visited the house, we had a very quick visit to the Arch. But this year we'll be having a proper visit to the Arch, and then visiting the Guards Museum at Wellington Barracks.

[@robnewman6101]

My date of birth is the 31st of August.

[@MDeLorien]

I absolutely adore this kind of costumes.

[@chuucake]

so majestic

[@user-fd4ib4yd3t]

Yes and not ridiculous at all

[@deepfriedbrainforlunch]

Now thats a L O O K! and ppl nowadays go crazy over some guys wearing a little more fancy clothing.

[@robnewman6101]

Yesterday for my 33 Birthday, my parents and I went to London Town to visit Wellington Arch. After that we came over to Apsley House to just see the Robes.

[@robnewman6101]

We then went to visit The Household Cavalry Museum.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@dianamay3601]

Wow, so very lovely, beautiful work on the conservators' part

[@LondonRose01]

I always enjoy touring Apsley House with windows overlooking the Park. Love the white boots with the duchess red silk rosettes.

[@mariajones4202]

I wonder how 'historically accurate' these costumes were to the tudor styles they were emulating? Are there any particular giveaways that they're actually made in the 1800s rather than 1500s?

[@justinwilliams7290]

My guess is not very. They're an amalgamation of Elizabethan, Jacobean and what looks like Charles I styles

[@jemandjemand2362]

just look at pics from the era

[@neiljosephbennett9119]

If they were original Tudor costumes they would not have survived. Silk is notoriously shortlived.

[@bobuncle6962]

Very interesting and informative. Thank you for the insights

[@gmailvfone]

So George IV had to outdo his father in cost. Wastrel. And he treated his Coronation like an occasion for fancy dress! Interesting English history anyway, as always! 💜👍🇭🇲👌

[@faimamuse1111]

I want someone to try these looks at Met Gala! 😍

[@robnewman6101]

I have the dvd of 1970 Waterloo. Christopher Plummer as Wellington.

[@janehollander1934]

King Charles III would have a revolution on his hands, if he spend such a huge sum (in today's money) on his Coronation tomorrow. Really curious what his "slimmed down" Coronation will look like. Will be watching BBC 📺 from 🇳🇱.

[@areareare9953]

"Sir....what would you like to wear today? Why - my most bloomiest of bloomers my good man!!" Next time I have one of those three-round interview cycles for an office job, I'll wear a pair of these for the third. Dress for the job you want, not the one you won't get!

[@robnewman6101]

R.I.P Sir Arthur Wellesley His Grace The 1st Duke of Wellington.

[@adedow1333]

It's most entertaining to knwo that Prinny's taste for the ridiculously extravagant didn't abate at his ascension. I can just imagine Sir Percy Blakeney being most entertained and even egging HRH on in the whole thing. (I know Sir Percy is made up, but still!)

[@robnewman6101]

In Apsley House in the Dinning Room is a Portrait of His Majesty King Louis the 18th of France of France. 👑⚜️⚜️⚜️💍⚔️🛡️🌹💐🏰➕

[@lijohnyoutube101]

Sooooo much wealth!

[@donrobertson4611]

nice swag

[@zyventura6911]

I wonder if the Duke is so handsome because from his portrait.....

[@robnewman6101]

Happy Coronation Day to His Majesty King Charles the III & Queen Camilla on the 6th May 2023 this year. GOD SAVE THE KING. LONG LIVE THE KING.

[@wilhelminamarquart240]

At least he the Duke of Wellington had a good sense of humor about the whole affair! And as a German I get the whole dress up thing heehee.....But I do wish silk also was not so deposed to falling apart sigh 😔.

[@global001]

Interesting they all dressed in royal clothes, robes, small crowns, tiaras, coronets etc even at Elizabeths coronation however Charles paired all that down. Wisely. Would have been huge divide with the public.

[@ItsMe-yv9jd]

Regarding the monumental display of silver on the dining table... would it kill you guys to put candles in the candelabras? (It's not as if candles are expensive or they will spoil if left out too long... and the effect is so much more complete.)

[@yaxofossiad]

It is very interesting to me that the conservators are touching the clothes with bare hands. I've seen other conservators handle much more modern things with linen or silk gloves only. Judy Garlands "ruby slippers" and Marilyn Monroe's garmets come to mind.

[@alanb9443]

It’s been proven that clean dry hands are far safer and better to handle things with than gloves, often gloves get as equally dirty as hands and they decrease ur dexterity significantly increasing the likelihood u rip or damage things

[@zuzuspetals38]

Love this and the info🌟 I’m guessing now masks (for moisture) and gloves are no longer good for clothing as well? I know no longer for books, does anyone know? Ty

[@Dlt814]

I don’t know about the masks but gloves are no longer worn because people tend to wash their hands more frequently and are more gentle without them. They’ve found more is transferred to the garment with gloves on than with bare hands.

[@Bildgesmythe]

I can only imagine the labor, and cost.

[@shrekuwu259]

Did you post this because of the actual coronation happening tomorrow for Charles?

[@catholicfaithofmine2664]

Did you make Coronation chicken and Quiche for the Coronation?

[@manishitharuwarani]

We have to go leaving the world.

[@user-uv9zr8qs2c]

Is no one going to talk about the importance of the statue at the beginning?

[@thepettiestpersonever6534]

Probably a dumb question, but is Beef Wellington have any connection to the duke?

[@Dlt814]

It’s assumed that it was named after him but there’s no clear connection between the two and meat had been cooked in pies long before.

[@nokomarie1963]

It's the footwear; the footwear would've been a deal-breaker for me.

[@sanakhan847]

humans can be so extra

[@nicholasdavidson7145]

Excellent, except for writing guilt rather than gilt!

[@EnglishHeritage]

A keen eye! Thanks for flagging, we've corrected that.

[@debbralehrman5957]

Wow I had no idea. Know wonder they talk about the spending of this man. 🤷🏼‍♀️