Royal Household uniform

In earlier times Pages were young members of noble families sent to other noble families to learn how such households worked undertaking a range of supporting tasks. This was to prepare them for the practical demands of noble life and how to conduct themselves as befitted their status. At the time of this uniform, pages were aged about 11 and two of them gave assistance and companionship to the royal family and worked in the department of ‘the Horse’. This rare surviving page's coat is a simplified version of George III's own uniform as commander-in-chief of the army.

In more recent times a Page is usually someone related to, or a close family friend of the adult and acts in a supporting role during ceremonial events. A Page of Honour is a separate and higher ceremonial position actually within the Royal Household. It is usually a distinction granted to teenage sons of members of the nobility and gentry, and especially of senior members of the Royal Household.

Pages of Honour feature in British Coronations, the State Opening of Parliament, and other ceremonies where they assist with the carrying of the long train of ceremonial costumes and where appropriate ceremonial headgear such as coronets. Royal Pages of Honour are distinguished by having a scarlet frock uniform whereas ordinary pages have a frock reflecting the colours of their master's house.