THE 2ND DUKE OF WELLINGTON AT THE MARLBOROUGH HOUSE BALL
WELLINGTON
(Arthur Richard Charles Wellesley, 1807-1884, ADC to his father as C-in-C, 1842-1852, 2nd Duke)
Carte de Visite photo by the Stereoscopic Company
showing the Duke three quarters length in costume as Philip of Spain, annotated as Philip of Spain, Wellington, fancy ball at Marlborough House with the date, 4 x 2½, Marlborough House, 22nd July
On 22nd July 1874 the Prince and Princess of Wales held a costume ball at their London residence Marlborough House which was attended by over 14 hundred guests. Much like the sequence of balls held by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert a few decades before, guests were encouraged to wear fancy dress.