This portrait of Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke is by Pompeo Batoni but not dated. The uniform is not identified as King’s Dragoon Guards but there are clues which point to it being KDG c1752. Herbert’s father was Colonel of the regiment from June 1733 to 17 April 1743. He died on 9 Jan 1749 when his son and heir, Henry, was 16. Although Henry, the 10th Earl, later became firmly linked to the Royal Dragoons, he would have grown up with a strong connection to his father’s regiment.
The three dragoon guard regiments were designated as such in December 1746 and distinguished by having coats with lapels reaching from collar to waist, as in this portrait. The facings were in velvet to give the dragoon guards a further distinction over dragoons, blue as in the case of the KDG. The clothing warrant of 1751 gives the details of the uniform for officers of the KDG:
‘Uniform made up in the same manner as the men’s. Laced, lapelled to the waist and turned up with blue, and a narrow gold lace or embroidery to the binding and buttonholes, buttoned two by two, sash over left shoulder, blue waistcoat and breeches, sword knot crimson and gold in stripes. Horse furniture: Red, with one gold lace and a stripe of blue velvet in the middle.’
The elaborate gold embroidery suggests that this is a full dress coat and waistcoat, rather than the everyday uniform worn for parades which would have gold lace. The young Earl would have wanted to look impressive for the portrait. The buttonholes are placed in pairs which also fits the KDG dress regulation. The style of the cuff is clearly shown and is in keeping with other depictions of KDG uniform of this period. The sash mentioned in the clothing warrant would only have been worn when the officer was on duty.
