The York Minuet

The attention paid by the British press to the Duchess of York in 1791 and 1792 can only be compared to the similar excitement aroused by Princess Diana in our own time. And it is not wholly surprising. The British population had long been waiting for a legitimate royal marriage, and the sons of King George and Queen Charlotte had not been quick to respond. Instead, the reading and print-consuming public had been treated to a steady stream of gossip about princely mistresses and debts of honor.

But here was a real Princess of Prussia, Fredrica Charlotte, now married to Frederick, the second son of the King and Queen. Her looks, her clothes, her jewels were carefully observed. Like the other members of the Royal family, her movements—her appearance at this play or that ball—were duly noted. In fact, Gillray devoted no less than seven prints to the Duchess in the space of little more than a year.

The York Minuet

The York Minuet [1791]
© Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University

One of most bizarre yet frequent topics of discussion was the Princess Frederica's tiny feet, which were said to be a mere 5 and a half inches long. Gillray's most famous comment on that was to appear in Fashionable Contrasts (1792). But in The York Minuet we already have a foreshadowing of that print as the Duchess lifts her dress to reveal a foot whose daintiness a Geisha girl might envy.

The specific impetus for the print may have been reports of a ball to be given by the Duchess of Cumberland on the 19th of December as noted in the December 16 - 19, 1791 London Evening Mail.

The Duchess of Cumberland's route this evening will be in every respect elegant and highly fashionable. There will be a ball and supper. The ball is to be opened by a minuet between the Prince of Wales and Duchess of York, and the company are expected to appear in full dress.

If so, this would be an instance when Gillray worked on a plate in advance of the actual event, since his print is dated December 14th. And it may account for the fact that the background is simply a blank space. Gillray may not have wished to elaborate the print lest the event be postponed or cancelled.

This, in fact, proved to be prescient. Under the heading "London - Tuesday December 20th," The St. James Chronicle two days later reported that

Last night the Duchess of Cumberland gave a most splendid ball at Cumberland House - Pall Mall at which were present the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duchess of Rutland. . . etc. This entertainment displayed a scene of uncommon splendour and festivity.
There were no minuets danced.

At a time like today, when the desire for a news scoop results in as much fake news as real, it may be consoling (or simply depressing) to realize that history is simply repeating itself.

Sources and Reading

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