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A ROYAL WEDDING
Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, married Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia at the Grand Church of the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, on Friday, 23 January 1874.
A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT
In August 1868, Alfred was visiting his sister, Alice, when he first met Maria Alexandrovna of Russia who was also visiting relatives. It would be two years before the they met again and it was obvious the young couple were attracted to each other.
When Alfred returned to England, he told his mother he wished to marry Maria Alexandrovna but Queen Victoria did not approve of the match due to the fact Britain and Russia were not on good terms. The Tsar was not too keen on the match either but rumours of an indiscretion involving Maria Alexandrovna made it necessary to find her a husband.
Maria Alexandrovna insisted she would marry no one but Alfred and he proposed to her on 11 July 1873.
THE WEDDING
The wedding took place in St. Petersburg at the Grand Church of the Winter Palace on 23 January 1874, making Alfred the only child of Victoria’s who did not marry in England or with her at least in attendance.
The young couple had two ceremonies with the Orthodox service being performed by the Metropolitans of St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Kiev in the Imperial Chapel. The newlyweds were then escorted into the Alexander Hall where a second Anglican service was conducted according to the rites of the Church of England by Arthur Stanley, Dean of Westminster.
WEDDING DRESS
The Grand Duchess wore the traditional white and silver sarafan worn by all Russian Imperial brides for their wedding, paired with the traditional kokoshnik headdress. Maria Alexandrovna’s crimson velvet mantle was trimmed with ermine and a sprig of myrtle, sent by Queen Victoria, was also placed on it.
As a Russian Imperial bride, Maria Alexandrovna wore The Russian Nuptial Tiara with its central rose-pink diamond with The Russian Nuptial Crown sitting behind. The Russian Nuptial Crown had 320 large diamonds and 1,200 smaller diamonds mounted in silver and set on a crimson velvet crown.
THE GROOMSMEN
As per the Russian tradition, Maria Alexandrovna had no bridesmaids but the couple were supported by groomsmen who took turns holding the golden crowns over the head of the bride and groom.
The groomsmen were Maria’s brothers: Grand Dukes Vladimir Alexandrovich, Alexei Alexandrovich and Sergei Alexandrovich. Alfred’s brother, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, was also a groomsman.
You can see this happening in the painting which depicts the wedding of Tsar Nicholas II.
THE HONEYMOON
Alfred and Maria Alexandrovna spent their wedding night at the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo in specially refurbished rooms which the Tsar was hoping would persuade the newlyweds to live in Russia, however the couple soon departed for England.