Treasures of the Royal Palaces

Kensington Palace has a number of textile and textile related treasures including these hand embroidered linen mittens worn by Princess Charlotte. Elizabeth Feller writes: Charlotte was the only child of George IV of England by his wife Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Princess Charlotte married Leopold of Saxe-Coberg-Saalfeld in 1816 at Carlton House, London. She gave birth to a still-born son on 5 November 1817. Due to complications in childbirth, she died herself the following day, aged just 22. The whole nation went into mourning for her loss.

I used to love making cut-out dolls and paper dresses as a child - it must have been the cheapest and most absorbing acitivity! These cut out paper doll dresses were made by 14 year-old Harriet Johnson in 1787, based on Queen Charlotte's outfits. Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was the Queen consort of King George III. Click here for more details.