Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE HELL The men went straight from the ball to Waterloo.. many died in their dress uniforms
within weeks but wanted Napoleon to think they were unrattled.
So he threw, and attended, many parties and was delighted when the Duchess sent out invitations to the ball at the house in the Rue de la Blanchisserie where she lived with her husband and their 13 children.
But just before it began Wellington found Napoleon was marching on Brussels. He put troops on standby but decided officers should still attend to avoid causing panic.
The Iron Duke arrived around midnight, acting cool. The Richmonds’ daughter, Lady Georgiana, recall: “I sat next to the Duke. He gave me an original miniature of himself.” But when Georgiana asked if the rumours were true, Wellington replied “Yes... we are off tomorrow.”
Officers began to leave. The Duke of Brunswick, playing with a young prince, jumped up so quickly he dropped the child.
One guest, Katherine Arden, wrote: “We were told the troops had orders to march at three in the morning and that every officer must join his regiment as the French were advancing.
“You cannot possibly picture the dismay and consternation. Those who
brothers and sons to be engaged openly gave way to grief as the last parting of many took place at this most terrible ball.”
The Duchess became hysterical, blocking the exit and begging guests to “wait one little hour more”.
But the Earl of Uxbridge knew the officers needed to get back to their regiments.
He announced: “You gentlewould men who have engaged partners had better finish your dance and get to your quarters.” Wellington told his host: “I have ordered the army to concentrate on Quatre Bras. But we shall not stop him there.”
Then he pointed at Waterloo, adding: “If so, I must fight him here.” He was right. Quatre Bras claimed the lives of 4,800 allies, including three ball guests. One was the Duke of Brunhad swick. Others fought on to Waterloo... some still in those dress uniforms. Another nine guests died there.
Writer Julian Fellowes said: “There are certain very strange details to the ball, one of them being the highlanders dancing.
“Guests went straight from the ball to fight. Some never got to change and died in their dress uniforms.
“So it’s a rather terrible thing – a strange mix of horror and glamour that has a kind of fascination.”
Belgravia, tomorrow, 9pm, ITV.