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A ROYAL WEDDING
Albert Edward married Princess Alexandra of Denmark at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Tuesday, 10 March 1863.
A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT
As the heir to the British throne, it was vital for Bertie to make a good match but his parents were about to discover it was no easy task due to a shortage of suitable brides. Queen Victoria asked her daughter, Vicky, to canvass German princesses but there were none suitable.
After arranging a meeting with Alexandra of Denmark, Vicky found Alix immensely charming and gave a positive report back to her mother. However, Queen Victoria had no real liking for the Danish royal family so the match was placed on the back burner.
When no other candidates came to light, a further meeting between Bertie and Alexandra was arranged at the Royal Castle of Laeken. Bertie dutifully proposed on 9 September 1862.
THE WEDDING
The couple were married on 10 March 1863 at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, which did not please everyone as the area was too secluded for large crowds who were keen to see the couple. The guest list also had to be kept small due to the size of the chapel and only Alexandra’s closest relatives were invited.
It was the first royal wedding to take place at St. George’s and was an unusual choice since royal weddings usually took place in London where large crowds could gather.
WEDDING DRESS
Alexandra’s wedding dress was made from silk satin and had four flounces of Honiton lace trimmed with orange blossoms and myrtle, while the twenty-one foot train was of silver moiré. The material for the dress was produced at Spitalsfield and the dress was designed by Mrs James of Belgravia, while the lace for the flounces was designed by Miss Tucker and depicted English roses, Irish shamrocks and Scottish thistles.
The lace pattern was repeated for the veil which was held in place with a wreath of orange blossom and myrtle. Alexandra’s dress has survived and was displayed at Kensington Palace as part of the Royal Wedding exhibition, however the dress was remodelled by Alexandra after the wedding and the lace removed.
THE BRIDESMAIDS
Alexandra was supported by eight bridesmaids who wore dresses of white glacé silk trimmed with tulle and roses, and wreaths of roses on their heads.
THE HONEYMOON
After the wedding breakfast, the newlyweds traveled by carriage to Paddington Station where they boarded a train to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight for their honeymoon.
Eight months later, the couple’s first child, Albert Victor, was born a few weeks premature.