Debutantes put on an elegant display as they attended the annual Queen Charlotte’s Ball at One Whitehall Place in London on Saturday.

The wealthy women, aged between 16 and 21, looked stunning in white ballgowns, glittering tiaras, and sparkling diamond jewelry from top brands like Bvlgari at the prestigious event.

And they weren’t alone: the debutantes were accompanied by young men who joined them as they danced the night away, captured moments with selfies, and enjoyed an extravagant meal.

The event, touted as the most prestigious in the country, is the pinnacle of the London Season: it was formed more than 200 years ago.

This tradition began when the return to the capital after the hunting season was celebrated with opulent balls and high society events.

The yearly event, where affluent young women don bridal dresses, was initiated in 1780 by King George III to mark his wife Charlotte’s birthday.

However, its allure has waned for society’s upper crust, some etiquette experts note, and it’s unlikely to see royals or contemporary posh British aristocrats in attendance – even with tables starting at £2,500, making it exclusive to the affluent.

This dazzling annual event – once showcasing beautiful young women to the monarch – was discontinued in 1958, when the late Prince Philip labeled it ‘bloody daft’ and Princess Margaret commented that ‘every t*** in London was getting in’.

A debutante poses in her bridal gown during 2025’s Queen Charlotte’s Anniversary Ball on Saturday

 Around 150 16-21-year-olds from affluent families attend the annual event, which takes place in London (attendees pictured in 2025)

But the gala and some of its traditions were relaunched in 2009, albeit without its royal seal of approval, by non profit organisation The London Season.  

The ball was then held sporadically at various exclusive venues in the capital to varying degrees of success before being relaunched in 2009 and held annually since, albeit without its royal seal of approval.

Lady Howard de Walden, followed by then editor of Tatler, Peter Townend, continued the tradition and on his death Peter nominated former debutantes Jennie Hallam-Peel and Patricia Woodall to take over running of The London Season on a voluntary basis as a non profit organisation.

It is now focused on raising money for children in need worldwide and the Queen Charlotte’s Ball has been held in Shanghai and Dubai as well as various grand venues in London.

The London Season runs for six months of the year including sporting events, cocktail parties, dances and concerts and the ball is the pinnacle of the season.

Each debutante is rigorously interviewed before they are selected, ensuring they are intelligent with good core ethics and either aristocratic or professional backgrounds.

In its modern form, the ball sees well-to-do families enjoy a lavish feast and fine champagne before an evening of dancing.

The debutantes continue the tradition of charity fundraising and etiquette classes to debut at The Queen Charlotte’s Ball.

Debutantes pose for a photo ahead of the annual Queen Charlotte’s Ball, a tradition dating back to 1780 when King George III founded it in honour of his wife, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in London, Britain, September 6, 2025. REUTERS/Jack Taylor

Each debutante is rigorously interviewed before they are selected to attend the event (guest pictured in 2025)

The debutantes were escorted by young men, who accompanied them as they danced the night away at the lavish do (a couple pictured attending the event in 2023)

Each year, around 20 girls are chosen to attend the prestigious ball (pictured: debutantes at the 2023 event)

The once royal event is now focused on raising money for children in need worldwide (pictured: men attending the 2025 do)

It is commonplace for the attendees, who are aged between 16 and 21-years-old to wear bridal gowns for the event

The group of meticulously selected debutantes dress up to the nines in their white frocks and glittering gems

The event (pictured in 2025) was formed more than 200 years ago. After a hiatus, it returned fully in 2009

When first launched, the ball marked the custom of returning to London at the end of the hunting season

Rather than ‘coming out’ to society, the debutantes (pictured in 2025) now work towards charitable efforts and curtsey to a cake, instead of a king

Each year, around 20 girls are chosen to attend the prestigious ball, and traditional white couture ball gowns are provided on a complimentary basis for debutantes for the evening.

The debutantes will have been rigorously interviewed before they are selected.

This is said it is to ensure they are intelligent, have particular core ethics, and have either aristocratic or professional backgrounds.

Rather than ‘coming out’ to society, the ladies now work towards charitable efforts and curtsey to a cake, instead of a king. 

Families from China, America, India and the Middle East, travel to the lavish gala to celebrate the 20 daughters who have spent the past six months fundraising for charity.  

To become a debutante with the London Season, the young women must apply by sending a CV and covering letter with a photograph before being accepted for an interview.

It’s a stark difference to how debutantes were selected when royals were part of the proceedings, with only young women who were sponsored by a lady who was a former debutante being put forward.

Now, once accepted, debutantes – who must pay £500 for their ticket to attend the annual ball – spend six months raising funds for charity through fun runs, ticketed events and bake sales.

Debutantes (pictured in 2025) must pay £500 for their ticket to attend the annual ball – and spend six months raising funds for charity

The event allows guests the opportunity to celebrate their year of charity fund raising and etiquette classes (pictured at the 2025 event)

While the event attracts a series of well-educated and affluent women, according to an etiquette expert, it is of no interest to royals or modern posh British aristocrats

Speaking to the Times in March, etiquette coach William Hanson, the author of Just Good Manners said of royals or modern posh British aristocrats: ‘[They] would absolutely not want to be associated with something like Queen Charlotte’s Ball. 

‘On the surface it’s posh, but it’s also a bit “new money”. People who have not been in Britain for as long might not pick up on these really quite silly social cues. 

‘They’re looking at it on the surface – they’re not seeing what’s underneath.’

He added: ‘[New debutantes] might say, “It’s a bit of fun. I’ve got a bit of disposable income. 

‘Do you know what? I would quite like to get dressed up, do my hair nicely and curtsy to a cake.” It’s the height of camp.’ 

Prior to the event, older debutantes are on hand to guide and critique the girls on their dress, dancing and pace around the ballroom.

On the day itself, an army of professional hair and make-up artists are on hand to make sure that the girls are glowing, setting off perfectly coiffed up ‘dos with diamond studded tiaras and precious jewellery on loan from Harrods, Van Cleef & Arpels.

The ‘deb of the year’ is chosen according to ‘who has worked hardest’ during fundraising activities throughout the season and shown the most enthusiasm.

An army of professional hair and make-up artists are on hand to make sure that the girls are glowing for the event (pictured: an attendee at the 2025 event)

A trio of guests at the 2025 event on Saturday are seen helping each other out with their jewellery 

While debutantes used to curtsey to the monarch during the event, they now curtsey to a cake (pictured)

On its website, the London Season states: ‘Queen Charlotte’s Ball continues as a voluntary organisation of people associated historically with the London Season and supporting charitable concerns.

‘It is now acknowledged globally as the most sought after ball in the world and the highlight of the London Season calendar. 

‘Tickets are always by personal invitation only and limited to 150 guests.’ 

A spokesperson for the event has previously said: ‘Seventy per cent of the girls who take part in the ball are bright Oxbridge students who have worked so incredibly hard for our charity The Smile Train.

‘They are accepted into the London Season through application form, curriculum vitae and personal interview and we choose girls who are aspirational.’