FROM THE TIMES JUNE 7 1922
The first of the three evening Courts of the season, which Their Majesties will hold at Buckingham Palace tomorrow night, is an occasion that no one possessed of imagination can consider without sympathetic interest. The scene itself is one of the singular charm, a festival of radiant youth. The flower of English girlhood, to whom this is the formal introduction to the natural pleasures of their social position, will make their curtseys to the Sovereigns. Though comparatively few can be present to see how they bear themselves in what must be to many of them something of an ordeal, we may be sure that each one is subject of the loving thoughts and good wishes of kindred and friends all over the country. The British are not considered an emotional race but there is, indeed, nothing to be ashamed of the in the sentiment which would invoke the purest blessings on these young girls who count for so much in our national life, both now and in the future. For are they not, in a real sense, the exemplars of their sisters of like age in every class of society? The Courts of 1992 bid fair to renew the dignity and state of prewar days, and such differences as have been introduced are all on the side of beauty, simplicity and convenience. The return to feathers, veils and the modified train, which Their Majesties have ordained, has been warmly welcomed not only as marking the importance of the occasion, but also as affording support to the nervous debutante, who in the old days was wont to find the prescribed long train almost unmanageable. It is believed that there has been much merriment over the supposed difficulties of reconciling feathers with “bobbed” hair but the shorter train obviously demands the wearing of corresponding short feathers. The debutante of this year will in fact wear a gown which, in essentials, is the same as any she might order for dinner or a ball, and one which she will be able to wear again at such occasions. The fact is significant of Their Majesties’ determination to discountenance anything like lavish display or needless extravagance, while note depriving the Courts of stateliness and distinction. The Courts in 1992 will set a standard of that beauty which is born of the simplicity of good taste.
