The order for Court mourning to be observed for the death of a foreign sovereign is issued by the Foreign Office, and transmitted thence to the Lord Chamberlain.
Here is the form of the order for general mourning to be worn on the occasion of the death of the Prince Consort:
College of Arms, Dec. 16, 1866.
Deputy Earl Marshal's Order for a General Mourning for His late Royal Highness the Prince Consort.
In pursuance of Her Majesty's commands, this is to give public notice that, upon the melancholy occasion of the death of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, it is expected that all persons do forthwith put themselves into decent mourning.
Edward C. F. Howard, D.E.M.
The order to the army is published from the War Office:
Horse Guards, Dec. 18, 1861.
Orders for the Mourning of the Army for His late Royal Highness the Prince Consort.
The General commanding-in-chief has received Her Majesty's commands to direct, on the present melancholy occasion of the death of H.R.H. the Prince Consort, that the officers of the army be required to wear, when in uniform, black crape over the ornamental part of the cap or hat, over the sword-knot, and on the left arm;—with black gloves, and a black crape scarf over the sash. The drums are to be covered with black, and black crape is to hang from the head of the colour-staff of the infantry, and from the standard-staff of cavalry. When officers appear at Court in uniform, they are to wear black crape over the ornamental part of the cap or hat, over the sword-knot, and on the left arm;—with black gloves and a black crape scarf.
A like order was issued by the Admiralty, addressed to the officers and men of the Royal Navy.
FIRST NOTICE.
Lord Chamberlain's Office, December 16, 1861.
Orders for the Court to go into Mourning for His late Royal Highness the Prince Consort.
The Ladies attending Court to wear black woollen Stuffs, trimmed with Crape, plain Linen, black Shoes and Gloves, and Crape Fans.
The Gentlemen attending Court to wear black Cloth, plain Linen, Crape Hatbands, and black Swords and Buckles.
The Mourning to commence from the date of this Order.
Lord Chamberlain's Office, December 31, 1861.
Orders for the Court's change of Mourning, on Monday, the 27th January next, for His late Royal Highness the Prince Consort, viz.:
The Ladies to wear black Silk Dresses, trimmed with Crape, and black Shoes and Gloves, black Fans, Feathers, and Ornaments.
The Gentlemen to wear black Court Dress, with black Swords and Buckles, and plain Linen.
The Court further to change the Mourning on Monday the 17th of February next, viz.:
The Ladies to wear black Dresses, with white Gloves, black or white Shoes, Fans, and Feathers, and Pearls, Diamonds, or plain Gold or Silver Ornaments.
The Gentlemen to wear black Court Dress, with black Swords and Buckles.
And on Monday the 10th of March next, the Court to go out of Mourning.
FIRST NOTICE.
Lord Chamberlain's Office, November 7, 1817.
Orders for the Court's going into Mourning on Sunday next, the 9th instant, for Her late Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta, Daughter of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and Consort of His Serene Highness the Prince Leopold Saxe-Cobourg, viz.: