Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.Photo: Toronto Star Archives/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Pieces fromQueen ElizabethandPrincess Margaret’s “dramatic” pasts are going on display.
The then-Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret helped stage and performed in a series of pantomimes from 1941 though 1944 to raise money for the Royal Household Wool Fund, which supplied knitting wool to make comforters for soldiers.
The pieces include outfits from anAladdinpantomime, where the future Queen played the title role wearing a gold brocade and turquoise jacket with turquoise dungarees and matching hat. Meanwhile, Princess Margaret wore a red silk dress and matching jacket to play Princess Roxana.
“I had no idea that Rayne made costumes for royal pantomimes. I am very pleased and honoured as well as somewhat surprised,” Nick Rayne, the founder’s great grandson who now runs the family business, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“However it all makes sense when one analyzes it,” he continues. “From 1920 onwards, Rayne’s shoe and accessory business for society ladies, which had been an offspring of the theatrical side of the business, thrived and went on to surpass it, but during World War II both the shoe and theatrical sides of the business often worked in tandem — like in this instance.”
Pantomimes are a slapstick-style show, which is a family tradition around Christmas in Britain. Typically based on fairy tales, the farcical musicals can be laced with some innuendo-laden rhymes and songs and require frequent raucous interventions from the audience. They often have older men playing female parts, such as the Ugly Sisters inCinderella, or young women playing male leading roles likePeter Pan.
Last December,Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamtreated their three children —Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis— to apantomime performanceat the London Palladium. The family of five walked the red carpet together before heading up to their box seats to enjoy the show.
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“It’s wonderful to be back here in the West End and see theaters reopening their doors,” William said in an onstage speech. “Catherine, George, Charlotte, Louis and I are all really looking forward to the show.”
Addressing essential workers in the audience, William added, “You have given your absolute all this year, and made remarkable sacrifices. So too have your families, who I’m sure have seen far less of you than they would have liked. It’s lovely that you are all here together tonight. You are representative of the huge number of people across the U.K. who have stepped forward to make a difference this year in so many crucial ways. The country owes you a huge debt of gratitude.”
source: people.com
