Edward VII at Balmoral

[figheadair]

The Balmoral Tartan -

The description for the Balmoral Tartan on The Scottish Register of Tartan is -

This is the original Balmoral as designed by Queen Victoria's husband. Prince Albert in 1853. While predominantly grey with overchecks of red and black the background contains threads of black and white yarns twisted together to achieve the appearance of the rough hewn granite so familiar in Royal Deeside. It is worn by HM Queen herself as a skirt and several members of the Royal Family but only with the Queen's permission. The only other approved wearer of the Balmoral Tartan is the Queen's personal piper (the Estate workers and Ghillies wear the Balmoral Tweed). D W Stewart wrote in 'Old and Rare Scottish Tartans' (1893), 'Her Majesty the Queen has not only granted permission for its publication here, but has also graciously afforded information concerning its inception in the early years of the reign, when the sett was designed by the Prince Consort.' There is also a smaller sett that was woven for the children's clothes. Checked against original cloth sample woven by Kinloch Anderson, holders of the Royal Warrant. The Balmoral was originally woven only by Romanes & Paterson of Edinburgh.

Most of this info is incorrect! Wrong date, wrong designer, not woven by Romanes & Paterson and so on.

[The Wizard of BC]

Well Peter, All I can say is that i posted a direct quote from the site.

Here is the description from The Scottish Tartans Authority. Again a direct quote. They list the same designer and the same date.


This is the conventional Ghillies version with light grey replaced by white. Origin not known. The basic Balmoral tartan was designed by Queen Victoria's husband. Prince Albert in 1853 and, while predominantly grey with overchecks of red and black the background contains a thread of black and white yarns twisted together to achieve the appearance of the rough hewn granite so familiar in Royal Deeside. It is worn by HM Queen herself as a skirt and several members of the Royal Family but only with the Queen's permission. The only other approved wearer of the Balmoral Tartan is the Queen's personal piper. (The Estate workers and Ghillies wear the Balmoral Tweed). D.W.Stewart wrote in his book, 'Old and Rare Scottish Tartans' (1893), ''Her Majesty the Queen has not only granted permission for its publication here, but has also graciously afforded information concerning its inception in the early years of the reign, when the sett was designed by the Prince Consort.'' The grey threads are flecked to give an impression of granite from which Balmoral is built.

[figheadair]

Well Peter, All I can say is that i posted a direct quote from the site.

Here is the description from The Scottish Tartans Authority. Again a direct quote. They list the same designer and the same date.


This is the conventional Ghillies version with light grey replaced by white. Origin not known. The basic Balmoral tartan was designed by Queen Victoria's husband. Prince Albert in 1853 and, while predominantly grey with overchecks of red and black the background contains a thread of black and white yarns twisted together to achieve the appearance of the rough hewn granite so familiar in Royal Deeside. It is worn by HM Queen herself as a skirt and several members of the Royal Family but only with the Queen's permission. The only other approved wearer of the Balmoral Tartan is the Queen's personal piper. (The Estate workers and Ghillies wear the Balmoral Tweed). D.W.Stewart wrote in his book, 'Old and Rare Scottish Tartans' (1893), ''Her Majesty the Queen has not only granted permission for its publication here, but has also graciously afforded information concerning its inception in the early years of the reign, when the sett was designed by the Prince Consort.'' The grey threads are flecked to give an impression of granite from which Balmoral is built.

Yes, that too is incorrect and due for an upgrade when I have the time. Here's what I've managed to glean about the Balmoral tartan.

[The Q]

There are several pictures available showing King Edward VII in mourning. He only lived for 7 years after Queen Victoria. He would not have worn a mourning band for a " lesser Nobility" so the only person he is likely to have worn the band for is his mother Queen Victoria.

[Terry Searl]

There are several pictures available showing King Edward VII in mourning. He only lived for 7 years after Queen Victoria. He would not have worn a mourning band for a " lesser Nobility" so the only person he is likely to have worn the band for is his mother Queen Victoria.

I have been waiting for a response, and so thank-you for explaining The kings mourning arm band