THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20950, 13 August 1931, Page 5

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

SOME ENGAGEMENTS. THE COMING COURT BALL. [from otjr own correspondent. ] LONDON, July 10. Sir Thomas and Lady Wilford and Mis*' Wilford have received invitations to the Royal Ball at Buckingham Palace on July 16. One of the purposes of what will be a function of rare brilliance is to celebrate the return of Lady May Cambridge, daughter of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, from South Africa. Although the less formal atmosphere of a Court .bail will be popular among the eight or nine hundred guests honoured with an invitation, it will deprive them of the pleasure of seeing the proceedings open with a Royal cotillion or quadrille. In order to meet the wishes of their younger guests, the King and Queen desire to relieve the atmosphere of formality normally inseparable from such a function as a State ball, and they have accordingly decreed that it shall be a Court ball.

Full Court dress as prescribed by tho Lord Chamberlain involves appropriate* uniform for the Diplomatic Corps eind tho naval, military and air services; Court dress for those possessing it, and for other gentlemen evening dress with kneebreeches, black or white dress waistcoat, black silk hose, plain Court shoes., white tie and white kid gloves. Ladies aro directed to dispense with Court trains and feathers, but to regard evening dress and long gloves as indispensable. Eastern ? guests always enjoy special indulgence in the matter of dress, and the touch of Oriental splendour always adds lustre to tho scene. _ Decorations are to be worn, and the display of jewels is sure to bo brilliant.