2-982-575 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Yeomen of the Guard at the Tower in their New Costume, 1858. Beefeaters get new uniforms. 'The warders are a study, with their black velvet hats and particoloured ribbons, and hitherto gaily-emblazoned tunics, which, alas! we shall see no more, except on state occasions. The new dress which Messrs. Batt and Son have designed is very useful and becoming; the old cut is retained, the alterations being in the colour of the cloth and the trimmings. The tunic or frock is of dark blue cloth, with a crown in red cloth on the breast, and the letters V.R. underneath; two bands of red cloth round the sleeves...The cloak shown in the Illustration is the one supplied to protect the veterans during-inclement weather. The majority of the warders approve of the change. In the first place, the state tunic is very much out of character with the trousers, which requires the red stocking to harmonise. Secondly, they had to wear the tunics for so long a time that they looked very much like theatrical properties. We should have been very sorry to see the ancient Tudor costume superseded entirely; but we shall still have the satisfaction of seeing those veterans in it on the occasion of state visits to the City, and visits of crowned heads'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.