Coloring Princesses of Wales Paper Dolls by Brenda Sneathen Mattox and Julie Allen Matthews

Caroline of Ansbach costume by Brenda Mattox, color by Julie Matthews

Alexandra of Denmark costume by Brenda Mattox, color by Julie Matthews

I'm excited to offer a behind-the-scenes look at our new paper doll book, THE PRINCESSES OF WALES, a glorious collaboration between Brenda Mattox and Julie Allen Matthews. Brenda's linework is exquisite and reminiscent of antique engravings. She illustrated this b&w set back in 2003 and recently brought Julie in to add color and assemble it into a new book for Paperdoll Review. Here are dresses for Caroline of Ansbach and Alexandra of Denmark, along side Julie's colored versions, using Procreate on the iPad Pro. Brenda is thrilled to breathe new life into her old work. Brenda and Julie previously teamed up for VICTORIAN FANCY DRESS PAPER DOLLS, published in 2022.

There have only been ten women who used the title "Princess of Wales" in the last 700 years, and all were unique women of their eras. The title can only be bestowed upon the wife of the heir to the throne of Great Britain. It was originated in the 13th century by King Edward I who succeeded in annexing Wales to England. To placate the Welsh nobles, he offered them their own prince, the king’s son and heir. The future Edward II was created Prince of Wales in 1301. He did not marry until after he became King and sixty years would pass before there was a first Princess of Wales. Costumes in this book represent Joan of Kent (1328-1385), Lady Anne Neville (1456-1485), Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536), Caroline of Ansbach (1683-1737), Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719-1772), Caroline of Brunswick (1768-1821),  Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925), Mary of Teck (1867-1953), Lady Diana Spencer (1961-1997) and Catherine Middleton (b. 1982).