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| The date of this portrait by Thomas Gainsborough is said to be 1782, and the youthful appearance of the Prince could back this up. He would have been 20 years old at the time. He had a keen interest in military uniforms , especially the hussar style. Although the 10th were not converted to light dragoons until 1783, the plans to do so must have been in the pipeline some years before. Young George earmarked the 10th as the regiment he wished to command, and in preparation, would have commissioned his tailor to come up with a uniform for the officers of the 10th based on his designs. In 1782 George was given the rank of brevet-colonel and the following year was appointed colonel-commandant of the 10th. The uniform is a blue dolman and pelisse with deep yellow facings and silver lace and embroidery. The crimson silk barrel sash around his waist covers the waist-belt that supports a sword and sabretache. The helmet is an early light dragoon metal helmet with pointed, up-turned peak. The metal crest is topped with a bearskin, and the turban and feather plume were yellow. It is not known if this uniform was adopted by the other officers. The painting was in the possession of Sir George Tapps-Gervis-Meyrick Bt. |
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