1914 Kenwood House ball

A ball was held at Kenwood House, London, by Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia on 11 June 1914.

It was attended by a large number of British and foreign nobility, including King George V and Queen Mary, and was one of the last big social events before the start of the First World War.

[1] Michael had lived in exile in Western Europe, and particularly the United Kingdom, since marrying Countess Sophie of Merenberg in 1891.

[3][4][5] The ball was one of the last big social events before the outbreak of the First World War and was attended by nobility from European states that would be enemies within the following weeks.

They were met at the house's north entrance by Michael whilst the other guests were greeted by Countess Torby in the Adam's Room.

[12] In deference to the audience, Walton chose not to wear the usual tango attire of a slit-sided skirt and performed in an ankle-length dress with a small train, which she held in her hand as she danced.

[10][11] The dance demonstration lasted for around 45 minutes, longer than scheduled, and led Mouvet and Walton to be late for a performance that night at London's Alhambra Theatre of Variety.

[8] The orchestra, brought from Vienna, was sited in the house's orangery and supper was served in a marquee on the south terrace.

He became dependent on an allowance from the diamond magnate and British Army officer Sir Harold Augustus Wernher, who had married Zia in 1917.