2017 Dickens Fair Royals Day

Photograph: Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland copyright Philip Pavliger

This year for Royals day I planned to deck out the Queen more than ever before. As director again this year, I put out Jessica as our full time Queen and she lived up to the role so well! I’m so proud of her portrayal and how she carries off the costuming perfectly. This year I put her in my hoop which is a bit larger in circumference as well as had her wear flat shoes. This brought her visually further into the realm of Victoria’s 4’11” height. With the new crown based on King George IV State Diadem by Juliette designs, a husband and wife team who specialize in reproducing historical jewels and regalia, she really shined for the day. For Royals day we added a red cape with ermine. The ermine is rabbit fur in which I hand cut and sewed black fur into “tails” and the red cape believe it or not is just my red velvet skirt folded in half as a quick already hemmed piece of fabric! This will be the only time we are sending out the Queen in more full regalia. It didn’t work overall for Dickens fair but it was quite a stunning look that pulled attention straight to the Queen. Jessica also featured her new ornate necklace custom designed by Dames a la mode.

Photographs all copyright Tavan Photography.