The return of the debutantes

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Tonight, 150 young girls will be going along to Durbar Court in London's Whitehall, for a rather traditional event - but one which has fallen out of favour in recent years.

Queen Charlotte's Ball is the first debutante ball to take place for 12 years. The "coming out" ceremony used to mark the start of the society season and was a chance for prominent families to parade their daughters in front of eligible young men.

The BBC went along to meet some of the people behind the ball, and the girls taking part, as they rehearsed for their big night. Story-Video image by 'El Photo