Widow's cap

After Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, died of typhoid on 14 December 1861, she wore mourning dress for more than forty years until her own death in 1901.

It was smart to buy extra streamers and bows for them as they could be used at home to trim mourning caps.

This specially styled cap became quite fashionable for a small period of time, and even became part of formal mourning dress until the 19th century.

A classic Mary Stuart cap is discerned by being very tight, with a solid piece of triangular material which hangs over the forehead, creating a heart shape when it is viewed from the front.

The design was intended to hold a veil, which would usually be worn over the cap, and the material might be rolled into shape in the back or formed with wires which held it tightly in place.