They were indeed garters, but as you state were ornamental only and not to be worn. --Previous Message-- : Below is the link to the newspaper in : question. : The relevant section is half way down the : first paragraph. : : http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90871375?searchTerm=Princess%20Sophie&searchLimits=exactPhrase : |||anyWords|||notWords|||l-textSearchScope=*ignore*|*ignore*|||fromdd|||frommm=12|||fromyyyy=1889|||todd|||tomm|||toyyyy|||l-title=290|||l-category=Article|||l-word=*ignore*|*ignore*|||sortby : My understanding from the description of : these suspenders or garters, and the others : mentioned, is that they are designed to be : ornaments and not for actual use in : dressing. : :