Date: 16 May 1903

Occasion: Mrs Adair's Fancy Dress Ball, 11th May 1903

Image published in Cool, published by The Fan Museum, Greenwich

Location: -

Descr: TQL seated

Costume: Fancy dress

Jewellery: -

Furniture & Props: -

Photographer: Lafayette Ltd

Evidence of photographer at work: -

No of poses: 1

Copyright: V&A

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References

Biog: Arthur Sullivan: A Victorian Musician, Arthur Jacobs, Oxford, 1984, pp 84-5

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Additional information:

1. This is the Mrs Ronalds who was a long time associate and lover of Arthur Sullivan.

From the New York World, 25 November 1900:

Mrs Ronalds was Miss Mary Frances Carter, of Boston, many years ago, noted for her beauty, her tact and her exquisite voice. She was a member of an excellent family related to New Yorkers of prominence. She was married on 6 November, 1859, to Pierre Lorillard Ronalds, a member of a well-known New York family. He is a direct cousin of Pierre Lorillard.

The Ronalds's lived together eight years, during which four children were born to them. They were travelling abroad in 1867, when they finally decided that they were uncongenial. Mr Ronalds returned to America, while his wife made an extensive trip through Algiers. Upon her return she made her home in London, where she soon became prominent in court circles, at a time, too, when Americans were little known except as curiosities. From the first Mrs Ronalds's graceful tact and perfect knowledge of the world made her a reigning favourite. She was not only a leader in the Prince of Wales's set, but she was the warm friend of the Princess of Wales. It is well remembered that Mrs Ronalds is one of the few persons not members of the royal family who are privileged to call informally upon the Princess of Wales.