Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst

The Suffragette leaders Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst dressed in replica prison clothing. Replica prison uniforms were often worn by ex-suffragette prisoners at demonstrations and fund-raising bazaars to highlight the conditions under which imprisoned Suffragettes were held. The image was taken at WSPU headquarters in Clements Inn on 22nd December 1908. On 19th December Emmeline and Christabel were released from Holloway prison having served a 3 month sentence for conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace. On 22nd December they attended a reception at the Inns of Court Hotel followed by an evening rally at the Queen's Hall. It is likely this photograph was taken during a press photo shoot the morning of the 22nd to ensure the news of the release of the Suffragette leaders was reported in the national newspapers.