Debutantes gather in a sea of white gowns and dazzling tiaras for the annual Queen Charlotte’s Ball – London’s most prestigious high-society event
Young debutantes put on an elegant display in a sea of white ballgowns as they attended the annual Queen Charlotte’s Ball at One Whitehall Place in London on Saturday.
The affluent women, aged between 16 and 21, looked picture perfect as they sported dazzling tiaras and shimmering diamond jewellery.
Escorted by equally charming men, the young ladies danced the night away, posed for selfies and enjoyed a sumptuous feast.
The glitzy event, touted as the most prestigious in the country, is the pinnacle of the London Season, which was formed over two hundred years ago.
It was created when the custom of returning to the capital at the end of the hunting season was celebrated with glittering balls and high society events.
Young debutantes put on an elegant display in a sea of white ballgowns as they attended the annual Queen Charlotte’s Ball at One Whitehall Place in London on Saturday
The affluent women, aged between 16 and 21, looked picture perfect as they sported dazzling tiaras and shimmering diamond jewellery
The glitzy event, touted as the most prestigious in the country, is the pinnacle of the London Season, which was formed over two hundred years ago
In its modern form, the ball sees well-to-do families enjoy a lavish feast and fine champagne before an evening of dancing.
The debutantes continue the tradition of charity fundraising and etiquette classes to debut at The Queen Charlotte’s Ball.
Each year, around 20 girls are chosen to attend the prestigious ball, and traditional white couture ball gowns are provided on a complimentary basis for debutantes for the evening.
The debutantes will have been rigorously interviewed before they are selected, to ensure they are intelligent, have particular core ethics, and have either aristocratic or professional backgrounds.
King George III introduced the Queen Charlotte’s Ball to celebrate his wife’s birthday and debutantes were traditionally presented to the King or Queen.
This continued until 1958, when Prince Philip branded the event ‘b***** daft’ and Princess Margaret complained that ‘every t*** in London was getting in’.
After 1958, the ball was held sporadically at various exclusive venues in the capital, with varying degrees of success, before being relaunched in 2009.
In its modern form, the ball sees well-to-do families enjoy a lavish feast and fine champagne before an evening of dancing
Debutantes spent much of the evening taking glamorous selfies together on their phones
Escorted by equally charming men, the young ladies danced the night away, posed for selfies and enjoyed a sumptuous feast
The debutantes continue the tradition of charity fundraising and etiquette classes to debut at The Queen Charlotte’s Ball
Around 20 debutants (pictured) are selected via rigorous interviews for the annual ball
A debutante poses for photos with her flowing skirt draping down a curved staircase
It has been held annually since, albeit without its royal seal of approval.
The event took place at the distinguished One Whitehall Place, which is part of the former Palace of Whitehall. It has an antiquarian library and stunning white marble staircase, with glittering chandeliers.
The London Season runs for six months of the year, and includes sporting events, cocktail parties, dances and concerts.
Prior to the event, older debutantes are on hand to guide and critique the girls on their dancing and pace around the ballroom.
On the day itself, an army of professional hair and make-up artists are on hand to make sure that the girls are glowing.
The ‘deb of the year’ is chosen according to ‘who has worked hardest’ during fundraising activities throughout the season and shown the most enthusiasm.
Traditional white couture ball gowns are provided on a complimentary basis for debutantes for the evening
The debutantes get their dresses tweaked and perfected to make sure they look flawless
A young man presents one of the debutantes to the affluent attendees
The ‘deb of the year’ is chosen according to ‘who has worked hardest’ during fundraising activities throughout the season and shown the most enthusiasm
Debutants pose for photos ahead of the Queen Charlotte’s 245th anniversary ball at One Whitehall Place
Prior to the event, older debutantes are on hand to guide and critique the girls on their dancing and pace around the ballroom
A young woman in a full lacy ballgown deeply curtsies as she attends the annual ball
A group of debutantes dance together in a circle as esteemed guests watch on
The London Season runs for six months of the year, and includes sporting events, cocktail parties, dances and concerts
Debutantes laugh together and hold hands in a sea of white fabric as they attend the event
One woman gets her footwear in order before being presented to the crowd
One young man seems to make a wrong step on the dance floor as he leads a young woman in a laced-back dress
The glamorous event (pictured) attracts those from prestigious families from all over the globe
All the 150 guests (pictured are some of them dancing) that attend the ball are personally invited by Patrons and the Chairman of the London Season
The event attracts those from prestigious families from across the UK but also overseas, including members of royal families from the UK, Europe, the Middle East and China.
All the 150 guests that attend the ball are personally invited by Patrons and the Chairman of the London Season.
Suzanne Kalan at Harrods lent the debutantes their diamond jewellery this year, whilst Josephine Scott provided the gowns.
The Patrons of the event are the Duke and Duchess of St Albans, the Duke and Duchess of Somerset and Sir David Roche, Bt.
The debutantes are a vision in white in their couture bridal-style dresses as they pose in the lavish building
Each woman has an army of family, friends and assistants behind them to keep them looking perfect
Debutantes dance with a host of the evening’s guests throughout the night
Young women giggle as they sip champagne while sitting in a group on the floor
Debutants relax ahead of the Queen Charlotte’s 245th anniversary ball at One Whitehall Place
Women smile as they greet fellow debutantes ahead of the lavish occasion in London
Luxury wedding dress designer Josephine Scott provided the gowns for this year’s debutantes
70 per cent of the girls who take part in the ball are said to be bright Oxbridge students
Young men and women sing together on the dance floor as they relax towards the end of the night
A woman scrolls on her phone as others get ready ahead of their presentation
One woman at the event in London battles her full tulle skirt to fix her high heel
Suzanne Kalan at Harrods lent the debutantes their diamond jewellery this year
A spokesperson said each girl has worked so incredibly hard for their event’s charity The Smile Train
A debutante removes her silk glove with her teeth to free a finger so she can use her phone
A girl looks ethereal as she gazes upwards while a woman puts on her earrings
Girls eagerly snap photos on the grand staircase that shows off the full length of their dress’s trains
Getting with the times! Phones are now a regular sight at debutante balls
After so much work goes into their looks, many of the girls are keen to get the best snaps of their incredible outfits
The former palace where the glitzy ball is held has an antiquarian library and stunning white marble staircase, with glittering chandeliers
A young woman smiles up at her dance partner as he makes sure not to step on her skirt
The girls are accepted into the London Season through application form, curriculum vitae and personal interview
The spokesperson said the most ‘aspirational’ girls are selected for the annual ball
A spokesperson for the event said: ‘Seventy per cent of the girls who take part in the ball are bright Oxbridge students who have worked so incredibly hard for our charity The Smile Train.
‘They are accepted into the London Season through application form, curriculum vitae and personal interview and we choose girls who are aspirational.’
