Thursday, August 27, 2009

Sir Matthew Wallace, Bt.

If a gentleman were to be knighted by the Queen today, the most you would expect to see at the investiture ceremony would be a top hat and tails. A century ago, dressing the part would have meant bicorn, breeches and buckled shoes, since merely dressing up as an Edwardian during the Edwardian era would have treated a knighthood as if it were just another night on the town.

Sir-Matthew-Wallace-knighted-by-George-V-for-his-work-in-t
Sir Matthew Wallace - knighted by George V for his work in the interests of the potato industry.

Which begs the question: what will folks be wearing a hundred years from now when they are told to arise by their King?
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 26, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    A hundred years from now there will be no kings. Which is just as well: better no kings at all, than to knight some dude in jeans t-shirt and ball cap.

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  2. Matthew SAugust 26, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Of course the same was being said in 1789, but thankfully it was avoided adeptly, but if indeed it is heading that direction than something must be done to remedy the situation...

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  3. Neil WeltonAugust 26, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    Limited edition Reeboks and matching shell suit. This is due to new EU Presidental Ruling (Number 91753). "Social exclusivity is now compulsory for everybody. You must be Knighted to have your Microchips inserted. You are Number, not a name."

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  4. MadMonarchistAugust 26, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    I'm still recovering from the news that the Palace said they've dropped the requirement for people to bow and walk out backwards from the presence of the Queen. That, combined with lingering memories of the sort of people who have been deemed worthy of knighthoods in recent years leaves me with scarcely little confidence that there will be much reverence for the ceremony in the future.

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  5. AnonymousAugust 26, 2009 at 6:37 PM

    I don't know if there will be kings or knights, but this photograph - wow, The Monarchist knows how to pick them.

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  6. '99 Referendum VeteranAugust 27, 2009 at 2:04 AM

    Morning dress will survive in UK regalia for so long as it remains an outfit of choice for weddings.

    Non-UK citizens being knighted do not appear to wear morning dress when knighted by the Queen - your recent photo of Sir Don MacKinnon dubbed GCVO in a lounge suit at the Palace is an example, and Sir Michael Somare wearing his GCMG star and collar, also with lounge suit at the Palace, is another example.

    I suspect lounge suit will be a perfectly acceptable dress code at Charles' coronation for non-UK citizens, at the very least.

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  7. '99 Referendum VeteranAugust 27, 2009 at 2:08 AM

    Also I think Bill Gates was given an honorary KBE a few years ago - he wore a black lounge suit, but paired it with the traditional grey houndstooth tie in a nod to tradition. That's probably the future of formal wear in a way. We already see it in the fashion of movie stars wearing dinner jackets with a full length tie. Not my cup of tea, but just part of the endless evolution of "formal wear".

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  8. AnonymousAugust 30, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    In New Zealand, recipients and guests are only advised that "a reasonable standard of dress is expected at Government House".

    As a member of the Armed Forces, the civilian dress equivalent for the day-time ceremony was indeed a lounge suit (with medals).

    Personally, I am more than happy if people make an effort and wear their "Sunday best" - even if it isn't exactly what the rule book may say...

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