Kissing her Majestys hand, learning to curtsey at court
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Kissing her Majestys hand, learning to curtsey at court
A young woman is tutored in the art of gracefully dropping to a curtsey during her presentation at court at the school of Miss Cowper Coles. A piece of tartan fabric is a makeshift train and a bunch of chrysanthemum act as a substitute for the debutantes bouquet. Daughters of peers were presented to the Queen first and were kissed on the cheek. Other debutantes kissed the Queens hand. Date: 1899
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Media ID 14125571
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1899 Coles Coming Courts Cowper Curtsey Curtseying Curtsy Debs Debutantes Etiquette Fabric Kissing Learning Practice Practising Presentation Presentations Pretending Ritual Season Curtsying Miss
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph from 1899, a young woman receives etiquette lessons from her tutor, Miss Cowper Coles, in preparation for her presentation at court. The setting is the School of Miss Cowper Coles, where debutantes of the Victorian era were taught the intricacies of social grace and ritual. The young woman wears an elegant gown, her hair neatly styled, as she practices the art of curtseying. A piece of tartan fabric is used as a makeshift train, while a bunch of chrysanthemums serves as a substitute for the traditional debutante's bouquet. The scene exudes an air of elegance and refinement, as the young woman prepares for her big day. During the court presentation season, daughters of peers were presented to the Queen first and were granted the honor of being kissed on the cheek. Other debutantes, like the one in the photograph, would curtsey and kiss the Queen's hand. The ritual was an essential part of Victorian society, marking the transition of young women into adult society and signifying their entry into high society. The photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, providing a window into the world of Victorian etiquette and courtly rituals. It is a reminder of a time when such formalities held great significance and served as a mark of social status and accomplishment. The young woman's determined expression and the watchful gaze of her tutor add to the intrigue and allure of the scene, making it a captivating and historically significant image.
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