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A ROYAL WEDDING
Princess Beatrice married Henry of Battenberg at St Mildred’s Church, Whippingham, on Thursday, 23 July 1885.
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A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT
Princess Beatrice was never supposed to get married, at least according to her mother. As the youngest child, Beatrice was supposed to remain with her mother as a companion in her old age. The Queen was so adamant, she banned everyone from discussing marriage around her daughter.
However, the young princess had other ideas and she fell in love with Henry of Battenberg at a family wedding. When Beatrice announced her wish to marry him, her mother didn’t speak to her for seven months. Eventually the Queen was persuaded to agree to the marriage, however the young couple had to agree to live in England.
The Queen gave her formal consent to the marriage before the Privy Council on on 27 January 1885.
THE WEDDING
Beatrice and Henry were married at St. Mildred’s Church, Whippingham, Isle of Wight, on 23 July 1885 where the bride was escorted down the aisle by her mother and her eldest brother, The Prince of Wales.
The couple would continue to have a close association with the church as Henry would be buried there in 1896 and Beatrice in 1945.
WEDDING DRESS
Beatrice wore a white satin wedding gown with a Honiton lace overskirt trimmed with bouquets of orange blossom and white heather. The lace was also featured on the neckline and the sleeves.
Beatrice was also allowed to wear the Honiton lace veil that Queen Victoria wore on her own wedding day. Beatrice was the only daughter given this privilege as it was a precious item to the widowed Queen. The veil was held in place by a circlet with diamond stars that had been a gift from the Queen.
Beatrice also wore a diamond collet necklace with a large diamond cross pendant, a diamond bee brooch and a large diamond butterfly brooch.
A replica of the dress is on display at St. Mildred’s Church, Whippingham.
THE BRIDESMAIDS
The princess had ten bridesmaids, all nieces, who wore ivory gowns.
THE HONEYMOON
The wedding breakfast was held in the Oak Room for the royal family which was beautifully decked with floral bouquets, and the guests were entertained by the pipers of the 91st Highland Regiment and the band of the Grenadier Guards.
Beatrice and Henry spent their honeymoon at Quarr Abbey House on the Isle of Wight.