The Queen Charlotte’s Ball 2018
Queen Charlotte’s Ball 240th Anniversary
Dartmouth House, Mayfair, Saturday, 8th September 2018
In support of The English Speaking Union Literacy Programme
Photography credits: Getty Images
Read the press coverage:
Mail Online
The Times
One hundred and fifty personally invited VIP guests from Great Britain and across the world, dressed in white tie and long gowns, gathered together to celebrate the 240th anniversary of Queen Charlotte’s Ball at Dartmouth House, Mayfair.
Queen Charlotte’s Ball continues as a voluntary organisation of people associated historically with the London Season and supporting charitable concerns. It is now acknowledged globally as the most sought after ball in the world and the highlight of the London Season calendar. Tickets are always by personal invitation only and limited to 150 guests.
After a champagne and canapé reception in the beautiful historic courtyard on a glorious evening, guests were personally received by Patrons and Chairman of The London Season at the top of the magnificent marble staircase before being seated in the Winston Churchill room, where The Honourable Lady Roche MBE, piped in by London Season Piper Dixie Ingram, received nineteen debutantes, escorted by their fathers, and dressed in stunning Ritva Westenius white gowns and tiaras and David Morris (Harrods) diamonds in the traditional Debutante Procession. This year one former debutante from every decade since the 1950’s returned to commemorate the anniversary. The Honourable Lady Roche was one of the last debutantes to be presented to Her Majesty the Queen before presentation ended in 1958. The traditional Queen Charlotte’s Cake was a riot of pink and white roses, standing six feet tall and created by Cynthia Stroud MBE at Pretty Gorgeous Cakes for the fifth year.
Afterwards, dinner was served in the magnificent frescoed drawing room surrounded by twelve foot high flowering trees and incredible décor and lighting by Qube, preceded by the National Anthem, sung by opera singer Zoe Turner and Latin Grace by Her Majesty’s York Herald. The loyal toast was proposed by Sir David Roche Bt.
The debutantes and escorts dined separately in the historic dining room under a canopy of flowers, having great fun together before dancing to a live band until midnight. The evening was not yet over as one of the debutante parents kindly hosted a debutante and escorts after party at their London home until the early hours! Luckily all guests had been given a luxurious padded silk eye mask by Manito Silk Canada to drift off into sleep afterwards!
Next year’s ball will take place on Saturday 7th September 2019
The Pre Ball Events 2018
Queen Charlotte’s ball excitement began a week earlier with many guests participating in a London Season week of unforgettable evenings in palaces, royal residences, private Harrods experiences and a final pre ball Pimms reception and dinner at the House of Lords.
Private reception in The Archbishop’s drawing room and magnificent dinner in the historic Guards Room at Lambeth Palace
Overnight at Osborne House, Isle of Wight
Dinner in Queen Victoria’s Durbar Court
Queen’s Milliner’s debutante fashion show and champagne tea from the Ritz at Kent House
Private tour of House of Lords followed by Pimms reception and dinner at the incredible Cholmondeley Room and terrace overlooking the Thames