Peers of the Realm
Listen to BBC radio, enjoy a Guinness, walk through Waterloo station and in one way or another, you’re paying homage to a British peer. The influence of Britain’s nobility often goes unnoticed, yet it is still immense. Ever since medieval times, Britain’s peers have played a major role in the shaping of our world. As landowners, they have moulded our environment, military leaders such as Lord Nelson have literally changed the course of history, while social reformers have transformed our society.
A peer is generally defined as anyone from a Baron upwards. This includes Viscounts, Earls, Marquesses and Dukes, each rank with its own distinct ceremonial dress. But since the peers only don their ceremonial robes in the presence of the Sovereign, there are only two events where they can be seen in all their splendour: the coronation of a Sovereign and the State Opening of Parliament. Both events are extraordinary sights to behold, rich in pageantry and symbolism. The peers’ dress is particularly striking and requires all the skills and craftsmanship of the robemaker.
Ede and Ravenscroft has been designing and crafting the robes and uniforms worn by peers since the company was first founded in 1689. Since then it has played a key role in every coronation and State Opening of Parliament, both in preparation and on the day of the events themselves.
