This beautiful gown has been used at least nineteen times over the years, predominantly on book covers. It was first used in the 1984 Dutch mini-series Willem van Oranje, where it was worn by Machteld Ramoudt as Louise de Coligny. In 1989 it appeared in the episode of A Bit of a Do entitled The Farewell Party, where it was worn by Nicola Pagett as Liz Badger. It was not spotted again until 2004 (though it almost certainly was used) in the mini-series The Virgin Queen, where it appeared on an extra.
After this point, the costume begins to appear on numerous book covers, often heavily photoshopped and many of them from the same photo shoots, some of which can be attributed to Richard Jenkins photography. In 2007 the costume appeared on re-print of a 1955 Jean Plaidy novel entitled Lord Robert. Next it was seen on Mary, Queen of France on a 2007 reissue of a 1964 novel, also by Plaidy. Next was the 2008 Elizabeth and Leicster by Sarah Gristwood, followed by the 2009 by The Virgin’s Daughter by Jeane Westin and The King’s Daughter by Christie Dickason. In 2010 came The Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy, as well as a re-print of the 1981 The Princeling by Cyntia Harrod Eagles.
The gown - though never seen this way before or since - must either have a duplicate, or have removable sleeves, because in 2011 it appeared on a re-print of a 1963 Jean Plaidy novel The Captive Queen of Scots without its distinctive sleeves, but clearly showcasing the detailed stomacher and skirt.
In 2012 the gown was seen again, back in its usual form in the The Soul Mirror by Carol Berg, as well as on two more Jean Plaidy novels - a re-print of the 1989 The Queen’s Secret and the 1965 The Three Crowns. In 2013 it appeared on the covers of The Royal Mistress by Anne Easter Smith and The Lost Duchess by Jenny Barden.
Finally, in 2013 it appeared in a real production again - this time on a background extra in the 2013 Summer in February. But by 2014 it was appearing on book covers again - this time on Jane Feather’s All the Queen’s Pleasures, before finally being seen in 2015 on Aurélie Meriel as Louise in the Dutch film Michiel De Ruyter.
Costume Credit: Cintia, Elisabeth, Guest, Liz, Katie S., Rachael, Sandra, Shrewsbury Lasses, Soph85, Wendy
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Note: This is the only update this weekend, because…well, the above is nineteen sightings.