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Fit for a fairy tale: Chosen young ladies enter high society in style
Catch up with NBC News Clone on today's hot topic: Fit Fairy Tale Chosen Young Ladies Enter High Society Style Flna8c11492482 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone. Our editorial team reformatted this story for clarity and speed.
Debutantes rest their feet as they await the arrival of guests before the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on Oct. 26, 2013 in London.Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Stylists select tiaras as debutantes prepare for the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on Oct. 26, 2013 in London.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesDebutante Jennifer Ward has her hair styled for the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on Oct. 26, 2013 in London.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesDebutante Eloise Knight, age 17, makes her way through the Royal Courts of Justice during the Queen Charlotte's Ball on Oct. 26, 2013.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesDebutantes use their smart phones to photograph themselves as they await the arrival of guests during the Queen Charlotte's Ball.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesDebutantes rest their feet as they await the arrival of guests before the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on Oct. 26, 2013 in London.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesDebutantes rehearse before the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on Oct. 26, 2013 in London.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesDebutantes wait nervously in line to be presented to guests during the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on Oct. 26, 2013 in London.Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesGuests take to the dance floor during the Queen Charlotte's Ball.Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Queen Charlotte's Ball is the pinnacle event of the London Season. The custom of returning to London at the end of the hunting season has been celebrated with glittering balls and high society events for over 200 years. The modern group of meticulously selected debutantes continue the tradition and celebrate their year of charity fund raising, etiquette classes and debut at The Queen Charlotte's Ball. The young ladies, usually aged between 17 and 20 and wearing designer dresses, attend the grand ball where they are presented to guests and curtsey to the Queen Charlotte Cake. 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 until 1958.
Editor's note: The photographs were taken on Oct. 26, 2013 and made available to NBC News today.