Breaking with Victoria’s Royal Etiquette

The Coronation Durbar — The “Delhi Durbar” or the “Imperial Durbar,” was an Indian, Imperial-style, grand mass assembly organized by the British at Coronation Park, in Delhi, India. It was to mark the succession of each Emperor and Empress of India. It was only held three times—  in 1877, in 1903, and in 1911. These were at the height of the British Empire. The 1911 Durbar was the only one that a Sovereign, George V and his Empress, attended.

May Crown King George in India

LONDON. Dec. 2.—The King and Queen hope to be crowned at Delhi as Emperor and Empress of India on Jan. 1, 1912. The announcement of this epoch making event has come as a great surprise, as there is no precedent for such a function. Queen Victoria, who was proclaimed Empress of India in 1877, never at any time contemplated holding a Coronation Durbar. King Edward visited India when he was Prince of Wales, but adhered strictly to the rules of Royal etiquette laid down by his mother, and never saw any of his colonial dominions after he came to the throne.— Humboldt Times, 1910

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