Alexandra of Denmark

Few know much about this Princess and Queen who was the very “First Queen of Hearts.” She was called the most beautiful Princess in Europe and her marriage into the British Royal family gave it a much needed boost (sound familiar?). Alexandra ‘fitted’ all the qualities Queen Victoria was looking for in a wife for her eldest son: ‘a Princess who is pretty, quiet, clever and sensible, and only a year or two younger than her son’.

Alexandra Caroline Mary Charlotte Louisa Julia was born on 1st December, 1844, at the Yellow Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark. This little Princess was the eldest daughter of Christian IX of Denmark and Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel. Alexandra had five brothers and sisters --- Frederick, George, Dagmar, Thyra and Valdemar. Although the family was of Royal blood, they lived ‘modestly’ and did not have great wealth. As a result, the children were brought up simply, Alexandra and her sister, Dagmar, slept in a draughty attic bedroom and learnt to make their own dresses, even waiting at table. Alexandra was given swimming lessons and she was also taught English. This young Princess proved to be devout throughout her life, following High Church practice.

Alexandra was introduced to her future husband on 24th September, 1861, and Albert Edward (“Bertie”) proposed a year later. A few months after the proposal, the Princess travelled to England aboard the Royal yacht “Victoria and Albert”, arriving in Kent on 7th March, 1863. The young couple married at St.George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and it was to be the first of many Royal weddings to be held there. The bride’s father gave her away and Alexandra had eight bridesmaids, all of whom were the unmarried daughters of British Earls and Dukes.

Alexandra’s wedding dress was a gift from King Leopold I of the Belgians and, even in the black and white photographs of the day, it was absolutely beautiful! The dress was made of white silk trimmed with orange blossoms and myrtle and it was overlaid with flounces of tulle and Honiton lace. The train was 21-feet long and was of silver moire also trimmed with orange blossoms. The veil was trimmed with the same lace and it featured English roses, Irish shamrock and Scottish thistle, and it was held in place by a wreath of orange blossoms and myrtle. The bride’s jewels were all wedding gifts. A pearl necklace, earrings, a brooch, two opal and diamond bracelets and a diamond bracelet. The bouquet was orange blossoms, white rosebuds, lily of the valley, orchids and myrtle, held in a bouquet holder of carved crystal adorned with pearls and coral. The stem featured a band of emeralds and diamonds with a jewelled coronet. Attached to the holder was a chain of gold and pearls and a hoop ring of eight pearls --- another wedding gift. Beautiful!

The new bride was devoted to her husband and their children. The first was Albert Victor born in 1864, the second was George, the third was Louise, the fourth was Victoria, the fifth was Maud and the last was John, who did not live to maturity. Alexandra was “in her glory when she could run up to the nursery, put on a flannel apron, wash the children herself and see them asleep in their little beds.” During one of the births, Alexandra caught rheumatic fever which left her with a permanent limp.

Whilst being dignified and charming in public, Alexandra was jolly and affectionate in private. She enjoyed socializing, dancing, ice-skating and the new Princess of Wales was an expert horsewoman and tandem driver and loved hunting. The couple preferred to live in Sandringham House but also had a London residence in Marlborough House. The marriage was a fairly happy one, even though Albert Edward had many mistresses throughout his life. Alexandra herself remained faithful to her husband (possibly following her faith).

As time went on, Alexandra started to go deaf (a result of hereditary otosclerosis) and this led to her social isolation. As a result, the Princess (and later Queen) spent more and more time at home with the children and her many pets. Alexandra was also crowned at the Coronation of her husband, the now King Edward VII.

Queen Alexandra, Queen Consort, became the first Queen Consort to visit the British House of Commons during a debate. For two hours, she sat in the Ladies’ Gallery which overlooked the chamber. Not long after this, Alexandra visited her brother in Greece and it was here that she heard that the King was seriously ill. Rushing home to England, Alexandra arrived just one day before her husband’s death. She personally administered oxygen to help Edward breathe, saying after her husband died: “I feel as if I had been turned into stone, unable to cry, unable to grasp the meaning of it all.”

Alexandra was now the Queen Mother and did her best to support her son, George V, by carrying on with the public side of life and by devoting her time to charitable causes. The First World War saw the assassintation of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, who was Alexandra’s nephew from her sister, Dagmar, who lived with her older sister for a time during and after the War.

Alexandra was always beautiful and managed to keep her youthful appearance during most of her life. The Great War, however, had an affect on the Dowager Queen and she started to wear elaborate veils and heavy make-up. In 1920, a blood vessel burst in her eye and Alexandra was rendered partially blind, but also her memory started to go (along with ehr speech), and Alexandra negam to experience mild senile dementia. Suffering a heart attack on 20th November, 1925, Alexandra died at Sandringham House and was buried alongside her husband, Edward VII, in St.George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Alexandra was not only the Queen of Hearts but also the Queen of Fashion. She would wear high necklines and choker necklaces to hide a childhood scar on her nick, but this soon became the fashion (without many knowing why). Alexandra was very popular with the British people, having such an easy manner about her. Truly, the very first Queen of Hearts!

(If you liked this article, please feel free to "Like", subscribe, leave a tip, or go over to my website where all of my work is: https://sarah-s-story-book.webnode.co.uk/ )