By George! What a Turn About.

Last week Mr. Al said the prince would get help with his reputation from an unexpected quarter. He sure caught me by surprise.

Relations between the Prince and his parents had been on the mend for some time. Considering how things went during dad’s illness, the fact that they were even speaking to him could be considered a major advance. But then mom went and did something that caused all of London to sit up and take notice. She announced that The Prince and his brother were invited to dad’s birthday party on June 10, 1791.

Was there peace between their Majesties and their offspring? It sure looked that way. The Prince was not going to mess up this chance to make a good impression. If for no other reason than he would need to be asking for money in the near future. Terribly cynical of me, but there it is. For whatever reason, The Prince decided to dress appropriately for dad’s party.

According to The St. James Chronicle, the royal in-house newspaper, The Prince dazzled everyone with  “a bottle green and claret-coloured striped silk coat and breeches, and silver tissue waist-coat, very richly embroidered in silver and stones, and coloured silks in curious devices and bouquets of flowers. The coat and waistcoat embroidered down the seams and spangled all over the body the coat and cuffs the same as the waistcoat. (I think the writer meant that the cuffs were silver tissue.) The breeches were likewise covered with spangles. Diamond buttons to the coat, waistcoat and breeches, which with his brilliant diamond epaulette, and sword, made the whole dress form a most magnificent appearance.”

Elton John couldn’t have pulled it off better.

Whatever magic was in the air held until the following August, when the King and Queen announced a grand ball to be held at St. James Palace. The biggest of the year. Invitations were sent out in plenty of time so that everyone who was anyone could have new gowns and suits made for the occasion. And what was the reason for this royal blowout? Why, only the birthday party of their Majesties beloved firstborn, The Prince of Wales! The social world of London shifted on its axis.

Mister Walter, who had already been jailed twice for writing anti-prince pieces at the Kings behest, was not invited. Nor did anyone ask for his thoughts on the party. But The Times did report that ” perhaps no heir to the Crown since the days of the Black Prince has been more generously admired for his amiable manners than the Prince of Wales; and the very happy and substantial reconciliation that has taken place between H.R.H. and his august parents, contributed in no small degree to the pleasures and festivities of the day.”

I think the Prince could be forgiven if he double-checked the masthead to make sure he was reading the right paper.

And on that happy note, we will leave The Prince for a bit and take a look at his brothers.