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Sir Charles George Young (1795-1869) was an important figure within
elite society in the 1820s to 1860s as an officer of arms. He was York
Herald in the 1820s and traveled to Europe to invest the kings of
Denmark, Portugal, and France with the blue riband of the Order of
the Garter. He held the post of Garter King of Arms from 1842 until
his death in 1869, and in this role was a key figure in the investment
of multiple world leaders. The Supplement to the London Gazette for
Friday February 16, 1866, reported on the investiture of Leopold II in
Brussels on February 12, 1866, noting John Robert Viscount Sydney,
Lord Chamberlain of Her Majesty’s Household, Knight Grand Cross of
the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and Sir Charles George Young,
Knight, Garter Principal King of Arms were sent as Queen Victoria’s
plenipotentiaries. They arrived February 10th and were introduced to
the new king the following day. During the ceremonies, Young wore his
mantle, chain, and badge and carried his sceptre and Victoria’s Letters
of Credence. A banquet took place the following day, and they left on
their return journey on February 15th. Though not documented, the
shotgun was likely produced in advance for presentation to Young as
part of the events. Later that year, Young would have also overseen the
replacing of the regalia of Leopold I (1790-1865) with those of Leopold
II at the Chapel Royal of St. George.
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