Commemorative panel

This plate-printed cotton panel commemorates the death of Princess Charlotte of Wales, the only child and heir of King George IV, on 6 November 1817. The Princess died the day after giving birth to her first child, a still-born son. Mother and child were buried in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle which can be seen in the distance on the left hand side of the panel. The Princess's sudden death and its sad circumstances shocked the public and many souvenirs, made in a range of materials from paper and ceramics to textiles, were produced to commemorate her brief life. The crossed branches of weeping willow which surround the octagon framing the princess signify mourning.

Princess Charlotte favoured a simple, unostentatious style of dress and set an example to the court by patriotically wearing British-made textiles and clothing. Portraits and descriptions of her appearance often refer to her fondness for wearing a wreath of roses around her hair similar to the one depicted here.