Mantle (royal garment)



A royal mantle, or more simply a Mantle, is a garment normally worn by emperors, kings or queens as a symbol of authority. When worn at a coronation, such mantles may be referred to as coronation mantles. Many princes also wear such a mantle. Sometimes the mantles are worn only once, but in other instances they may be worn or used on other occasions, such as during the opening of a session of the nation's legislature. Mantles also feature prominently in state portraiture and artwork featuring monarchs and princes.

In principle, there is no difference between the mantles of an emperor and king. Different countries have their own styles, and the shape of mantles has changed somewhat over the centuries. The oldest coats were not very long, and they were not lined with fur. In the 18th century, cloaks become more like each other and appeared everywhere in Europe. The French example was lined with fur, and a cloak with a long train became standard. The German emperors continued their short coat from the 12th century to the end of their empire. The Hungarian Kings also kept using their short coat from the reign of St Stephen until the end of their kingdom.

Originally, mantles and the religious cope, coming from similar origins as a cloak worn by all classes, were indistinguishable, except that the religious garment may have a flap representing a hood, and the mantle may be fastened at the shoulder instead of the front. Therefore, while the cope was used by all clerics in certain religious ceremonies, the mantle would be used by royalty on occasions of a sacred character.

The non-crowned but inaugurated Dutch kings wear a robe on the French model. In the Netherlands, one does not speak of a coronation mantle but uses the term "royal robe" (Koningsmantel; Dutch phonetic: γoningsmant∂l).