# What kind of 19th c. Uniform is this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 31, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473 "2013-03-31T23:29:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/1 "2013-03-31T23:29:45Z")
Worn by [Nicholas II in this photo](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&biw=320&bih=504&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=0sNYUffUC4Su8ASdw4GIBA&q=victoria+and+nicholas&oq=victoria+and+nicholas&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3...86710.99693.0.100540.21.13.0.8.8.0.303.2214.3j4j5j1.13.0...0.0...1c.1.7.mobile-gws-serp.XyobJYzs6EE#biv=i%7C3%3Bd%7C1BExgO5raBdi7M%3A), while visiting Victoria in Scotland. Would he have worn a British uniform as a gracious guest? What branch of service wore those distinctive cascades of button straps? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/2 "2013-03-31T23:38:29Z")
A link to the [specific image](http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Queen-Victoria-Tsar-Nicholas-II-His-Wife-and-Daughter-and-Albert-Prince-of-Wales-Balmoral-1896-Posters_i4056265_.htm). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/3 "2013-04-01T00:10:19Z")
He was a Knight of the Order of both the Garter and the Bath, and I know many of Victoria’s extended family were given honorary ranks in the British Military, so yeah, maybe. It could be a Irish Gds uniform? They had just been formed. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/4 "2013-04-01T00:14:01Z")
Yes, sovereigns often wore their host’s uniform as mutual courtesy. At a very rough guess: I’d think it was undress uniform of either staff, or household cavalry. Pretty sure it was a very dark green. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/5 "2013-04-01T00:41:22Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Worn by [Nicholas II in this photo](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&biw=320&bih=504&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=0sNYUffUC4Su8ASdw4GIBA&q=victoria+and+nicholas&oq=victoria+and+nicholas&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3...86710.99693.0.100540.21.13.0.8.8.0.303.2214.3j4j5j1.13.0...0.0...1c.1.7.mobile-gws-serp.XyobJYzs6EE#biv=i%7C3%3Bd%7C1BExgO5raBdi7M%3A), while visiting Victoria in Scotland. Would he have worn a British uniform as a gracious guest? What branch of service wore those distinctive cascades of button straps? [I would say he was dressing up as a dog.](http://www.omgimgettingmarried.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sykes_Wells_Nadine_Burzler_Wedding_Photography_NicholasMelbyW0143_low1-450x275.jpg) That was the top hit at your link! Although the image you wanted was in there, somewhere down the page, most of the others returned by your link were completely irrelevant and inappropriate too. What is it with this lazy habit of people linking to Google searches rather than to the actual page or picture they are talking about! This is not the first time I have encountered people doing this on the board, although it is probably the most egregious example. Are you not aware that Google no longer returns same results for everybody? (Although even if it did, most of the results of _this_ search would still have been irrelevant.) What is the matter with you that you can’t do one more click and link us to the actual thing you are asking about? :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/6 "2013-04-01T01:03:34Z")
Sorry didnt mean to be egregious. I did make the link to the page Tripolar specified, in preview, but then it went to the entire Google search. If you’re seeing this as a trend, it may have something to do with more of use using iPhones, my only guess. But I guess you could say from authority he’s not wearing a link policeman’s uniform > [@Claverhouse](#): > > Yes, sovereigns often wore their host’s uniform as mutual courtesy. Too bad nobody lent him a ceremonial bullet-proof vest! ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/7 "2013-04-01T01:26:14Z")
My first guess (before seeing [this](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colonel_of_Royal_Scots_Greys_(Nicholas_II_of_Russia's_uniform).jpg)) was the uniform of a colonel in the Royal Scots Greys - what with being in Scotland and all. If it is the uniform of an Irish unit it was an inspired choice since Scotland Yard foiled a plot by Irish nationalists to kill the two monarchs at Balmoral. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/8 "2013-04-01T02:49:46Z")
Compare [this picture](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/25/article-2008029-0CBAAFEF00000578-907_634x483.jpg) of Wills and Kate - he’s wearing an Irish Guards uniform of some sort. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/9 "2013-04-01T09:04:41Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Compare [this picture](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/25/article-2008029-0CBAAFEF00000578-907_634x483.jpg) of Wills and Kate - he’s wearing an Irish Guards uniform of some sort. No , he has his wings on, so looks airforce. I believe its just a high ranking officer (Admiril,etc) dress uniform. His Irish Guard unform is the red one he wore to his wedding, there being no high ranks in the Irish Guard (you aren’t going to have your General of the Army in an Irish Guard uniform.. ) I dont think the Tsar is going to put it on, the prince wore it to his wedding when he can wear anything as a prince and its only a wedding… so he can upgrade the uniform for coronation… ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/10 "2013-04-01T09:37:48Z")
Oops, It is the colonel-in-chief of the guard. The royals put themselves into the ranks of “the guard” The following blog said it is colonel in chief “of the guard”. [http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/06/kate-middleton-prince-william-rock-a-military-look.html](http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/06/kate-middleton-prince-william-rock-a-military-look.html) Royalty put themselves into the Royal Horse Guarde so they can alway have horses, so they can go horse riding with their girlfriends, and find themselves riding too much, having a rest in one of the guest homes along around the grounds the palace… for an hour or a week. So is THAT colonel in chief 's uniform specific to the Irish guard, or actually the same for the Royal Horse Guard too ? And he wore the red Irish Guard unifirm at his wedding… Why wear something to do with the Irish anyway ?? He’s british ! ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/11 "2013-04-01T11:27:04Z")
I’m fairly sure that Nicholas II is wearing a version of one of the uniforms of the Royal Scots Greys. Much like some of those in [this picture](http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1900-BOER-WAR-OFFICERS-2ND-DRAGOONS-ROYAL-SCOTS-GREYS-/160735922359). [He had worn the full dress uniform for his arrival in Scotland.](http://www.rusartnet.com/russia/history/romanov/tsar-nicholas-ii-in-scotland) > [@Isilder](#): > > And he [William] wore the red Irish Guard unifirm at his wedding.. > Why wear something to do with the Irish anyway ?? He’s british ! You do realise that there is a bit of Ireland that is still part of the UK? ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/12 "2013-04-01T11:46:17Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > His Irish Guard unform is the red one he wore to his wedding, there being no high ranks in the Irish Guard (you aren’t going to have your General of the Army in an Irish Guard uniform.. ) The red uniform is the dress uniform. > [@Isilder](#): > > So is THAT colonel in chief 's uniform specific to the Irish guard, > or actually the same for the Royal Horse Guard too ? > > And he wore the red Irish Guard unifirm at his wedding.. > Why wear something to do with the Irish anyway ?? He’s british ! Each regiment has a [colonel-in-chief](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel-in-Chief) - a mainly ceremonial position normally held by a royal. Princess Anne, for instance, holds [these titles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Anne#Honorary_military_appointments), while her younger brother the Earl of Wessex holds [these](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward,_Earl_of_Wessex#Honorary_military_appointments). The uniform Wills is wearing in that photo is an Irish Guards undress uniform. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/13 "2013-04-01T12:07:42Z")
Note that the officer walking beside Wills is wearing the same uniform. My guess is that he’s the colonel commanding the Irish Guards. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/14 "2013-04-01T12:40:04Z")
Can someone clear up who Albert Prince of Wales is, in 1896? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/15 "2013-04-01T12:43:48Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Can someone clear up who Albert Prince of Wales is, in 1896? > > Thanks He’s the fat bloke on the right – Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later [Edward VII](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII) ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/16 "2013-04-01T12:48:01Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > He’s the fat bloke on the right – Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later [Edward VII](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII) Thanks, the name “Albert” confused me, since I thought he had long since been dead. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/17 "2013-04-01T13:15:03Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Thanks, the name “Albert” confused me, since I thought he had long since been dead. Victoria was pretty much surrounded by Alberts – all her sons, and most of her grandsons, had Albert as a given name – so it can get confusing (not as confusing as sorting out which Henry is which in the War of the Roses, though). The title Prince of Wales is the key identifier – it’s a title only given to the reigning monarch’s eldest son. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/18 "2013-04-01T13:38:25Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > He’s the fat bloke on the right – Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later [Edward VII](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII) Of “in the can” fame. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/19 "2013-04-01T17:37:27Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473/20 "2013-04-01T17:41:03Z")
NOPE “The tobacco was personally named by R. J. Reynolds after Edward VII, who was known as Prince Albert before being crowned King.” [Wiki cite.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Albert_(tobacco)) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-19th-c-uniform-is-this/654473.md?page=2)