The VERY glamorous debutantes of Queen Charlotte’s Ball revealed – from the daughter of millionaire aristocrat who became the first chief of Scottish Buchanan clan for 337 years to an alumnus of Camilla’s Queen’s Gate School
- Queen Charlotte’s Ball guest list filled with aristocratic or wealthy families
- On Saturday, debutantes put on a stunning display at the glamorous affair
- The group of meticulously selected debutantes are aged between 17 and 20
It’s London’s most prestigious society event – so it’s no wonder that the guest list for Queen Charlotte’s Ball is filled with aristocrats and alumnae from equally renowned schools.
On Saturday, young debutantes put on a stunning display at the glamorous annual affair, which is the pinnacle event in the London Season.
It is rich in history and was formed over two hundred years ago when the custom of returning to the capital at the end of the hunting season was celebrated with glittering balls and high society events.
The occasion sees young women from aristocratic, wealthy or famous families gather together to enjoy a sumptuous feast, the finest Champagne, and dancing – and with tables starting at £2,500, attendance is strictly for the well-to-do.
The modern group of meticulously selected debutantes, aged between 17 and 20, included the daughter of a millionaire aristocrat who became the first chief of Scottish Buchanan clan for 337 years, as well as an alumna of Camilla’s Queen’s Gate School in South Kensington.
Also in attendance was Arabella and Eliza Roche, both daughters of Maurice Roche, Lord Fermoy, a maternal cousin of Princess Diana’s.
The debutantes, aged between 17 and 20, included the daughter of a millionaire aristocrat who became the first chief of Scottish Buchanan clan for 337 years (left), as well as an alumna of Camilla’s Queen’s Gate School in South Kensington (right)
It’s London’s most prestigious society event – so it’s no wonder that the guest list for Queen Charlotte’s Ball (pictured) is filled with aristocrats and alumnae from equally renowned schools
He attended the Princess of Wales’ wedding in 1981 to Prince Charles, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s big day in 2011.
He was Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, between 1982 and 1984.
His daughter’s were joined at the ball by debutante Lucy Buchanan, whose father is John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan – the millionaire aristocrat and Oxford graduate who was announced as the chief of one of Scotland’s largest and most ancient clans in 2018.
What is the Clan Buchanan?
Clan Buchanan mythology claims that the clan was founded by Anselan O’Kyan, a nobleman who served under Canute the Dane and King Malcolm II.
The latter king gave him lands stretching from eastern shore of Loch Lomond and east toward Stirling.
The clan didn’t get its name until 1240 when Gilbert de Buchanan started to use it because of new lands he had acquired from another family called Buchananne.
The Buchanan Society was formed in 1725 with the aim of supporting poorer members of the clan and to help them with education through grants.
One notable member of the Buchanan clan was James Buchanan who went on to become the fifteenth president of the U.S.
Clan Buchanan’s mottos are Clarior Hinc Honos (Henceforth the honour grows ever brighter), and Audaces Juvo (I help the brave).
Source: The Clan Buchanan and The Buchanan Society
Twenty-year-old Lucy is studying Economics and Politics at King’s College London, after attending the world-renowned boarding school Le Rosey in Switzerland, and is currently a junior committee member for the Queen Charlotte’s Ball.
Talking about the ball, she previously told the London Season’s website: ‘I very much love the Queen Charlotte’s Ball, and the people I meet there as there are plenty of lovely and impressive individuals at this event.
‘My grandmother was a debutante and my brothers, Angus and Bruce have been debutante escorts at the Ball. My hobbies include operatic singing and ice skating. I take part in international Scottish events and clan gatherings.’
The Clan Buchanan had been without a leader since the last chief John Buchanan died without a male heir in 1681, but its history dates back to 1010AD.
Known as ‘The Buchanan’, Lucy’s father, a descendant of his predecessor was appointed as the new chief after an investigation which lasted more than a decade.
Married to Lady Paula Buchanan, the father-of-four is the manager of the Cambusmore Estate near Callander, Stirling.
He petitioned the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court which regulates Scottish heraldry, to assume the chiefship.
It came about after a quest by genealogist Hugh Peskett to find the rightful chief after his clanswoman grandmother set him the task 50 years ago.
The dedicated historian researched lineage dating back to 1370 in a bid to find the rightful holder of the title.
The Clan Buchanan is one of the oldest in Scotland. It has millions of members across Great Britain, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Jamaica among many other countries.
In attendance at this year’s event was Lucy Buchanan (pictured with her family), whose father is John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan – the millionaire aristocrat and Oxford graduate who was announced as the chief of one of Scotland’s largest and most ancient clans in 2018
Members are represented by the world’s oldest clan society, the Buchanan Society, which was established in 1725 to support members of the clan in times of hardship.
The worldwide Clan Buchanan Society International flies a banner at Highland games around the world which features a lion with tears of sorrow to represent the sadness of clansmen without a chief.
Another debutante at the event over the weekend was Anoushka Monzon-Ladas, who attended Queen’s Gate school in South Kensington, which costs £22,230 a year to attend.
The school – which counts the Duchess of Cornwall and celebrity chef Nigella Lawson as its former pupils – has had a long association with the London Season.
Anoushka, who now studies at the University of Nottingham, was accepted as a debutante in 2019 and is also a junior committee member for the Queen Charlotte’s Ball.
Speaking about her debut ball at Lancaster House, she said: ‘The ball was a truly wonderful experience and I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it.
Another debutante at the event over the weekend was Anoushka Monzon-Ladas (pictured), who attended Queen’s Gate school in South Kensington, which costs £22,230 a year to attend
‘It was not only incredibly special to wear a stunning white gown and amazing diamond jewellery which was lent to us, but also a unique opportunity to enhance my CV through social and career networking opportunities.
‘I believe taking part in the London Season equips young ladies with the skills and confidence to socialise with any individual from different cultures and in particular outside our own peer group.
‘The ball has enabled me to make friends from all over the globe. It is wonderful to meet such inspirational young women from all corners of the world and learn more about their cultures.’
Elsewhere, the guest list also included ‘Britain’s top divorce lawyer’ Ayesha Vardag’s daughter Miss Helena Vardag.
Debutantes attending this weekend’s event continued the tradition and celebrated their year of charity fund raising – this year for the Honeypot Children’s Charity – etiquette classes and debut at the ball, wearing white dresses from the bridal boutique Mignonette.
Young debutantes put on a dazzling display at the annual Queen Charlotte’s Ball at One Whitehall Place in London on Saturday
The glamorous affair is renowned as the pinnacle event in the London Season, which is rich in history and was formed over two hundred years ago
The Queen Charlotte’s Ball sees young women from aristocratic, wealthy or famous families gather together to enjoy a sumptuous feast, the finest Champagne, and dancing
The debutantes are presented to guests and give a traditional curtsey to the Queen Charlotte Cake, which this year was by Fehmee John at BbBus
The modern group of meticulously selected debutantes, aged between 17 and 20, continued the tradition and celebrated their year of charity fund raising, etiquette classes and debut at the ball, wearing white dresses from the bridal boutique Mignonette
They are presented to guests and give a traditional curtsey to the Queen Charlotte Cake, which this year was by Fehmee John at BbBus.
King George III introduced the Queen Charlotte’s Ball in 1780 to celebrate his wife’s birthday and debutantes were traditionally presented to the King or Queen.
This continued until 1958, when Prince Philip branded the event ‘bloody daft’ and Princess Margaret complained that ‘every tart in London was getting in’.
Since 1958 the ball was held sporadically at various exclusive venues in the capital to varying degrees of success before being relaunched in 2009 and held annually since, albeit without its royal seal of approval.
Lady Howard de Walden, followed by then editor of Tatler, Peter Townend, continued the tradition and on his death Peter nominated former debutantes Jennie Hallam-Peel and Patricia Woodall to take over running of The London Season on a voluntary basis as a non profit organisation.
The tradition of presenting the debutantes to the King or Queen at Buckingham Palace continued until 1958, when Prince Philip branded the event ‘bloody daft’ and Princess Margaret complained that ‘every tart in London was getting in’
Since 1958 the ball was held sporadically at various exclusive venues in the capital to varying degrees of success before being relaunched in 2009 and held annually since, albeit without its royal seal of approval
The London Season is rich in history and was formed over two hundred years ago when the custom of returning to London at the end of the hunting season was celebrated with glittering balls and high society events
It is now focused on raising money for children in need worldwide and the Queen Charlotte’s Ball has been held in Shanghai and Dubai as well as various grand venues in London.
The London Season runs for six months of the year including sporting events, cocktail parties, dances and concerts and the Ball is the pinnacle of this season.
Each debutante will have been rigorously interviewed before they are selected – and paid thousands of pounds – ensuring they are intelligent with good core ethics and either aristocratic or professional backgrounds.
Prior to the event, older debutantes are on hand to guide and critique the girls on their dress, dancing and pace around the ballroom.
On the day itself, an army of professional hair and make-up artists are on hand to make sure that the girls are glowing, setting off perfectly coiffed up ‘dos with diamond studded tiaras and precious jewellery on loan from Harrods, Van Cleef & Arpels.
The ‘deb of the year’ is chosen according to ‘who has worked hardest’ during fundraising activities throughout the season and shown the most enthusiasm. This year debutantes worked throughout Covid to raise money for the charity, raising tens of thousands of pounds.
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