Wednesday, June 27, 2012

History's Runway: The Henry a la Pensée Belts, 1938

One of a Set of Belts Given to Princess Elizabeth from the Children of France
French, 1938
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II



This leather belt forms one of a pair which was a State Gifts to Princess Elizabeth (now, Queen Elizabeth II). A matching set was given to Princess Margaret Rose. The belts were from the Children of France and were presented to the princesses during a State Visit to France by their parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1938.

Of the pair, one belt is red and one blue. Both feature a scalloped edge and stitched buckle with attached metal emblems of a pig, a horseshoe, a mouse, a four leaf clover, a key and an elephant. They were designed by Henry a la Pensée.

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