Friday 2 March 2018

Victorian Royal Brides for March


March royal brides are now rare but go back just a few decades and that's not the case. In particular, Queen Victoria's children were rather partial to a March wedding. Among her nine children are three who wed in this blowy, showy month that bridges winter and spring and that means a hat trick of Victorian March Royal Brides.....

Princess Alexandra of Denmark, March 10th 1863, 
St George's Chapel, Windsor


Bride HRH Princess Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia of Denmark (born 1844)
Groom HRH The Prince Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (born 1841)

The Bride's Family Alexandra was the daughter of Christian of Denmark who became his country's king just months after her marriage. Mamma was Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel.
The Groom's Family Edward was the first born son and heir of Queen Victoria. His father, Prince Albert, had died in 1861 meaning the mother of the groom was in deep mourning at this wedding. 
Royal Romance One of Victoria and Albert's last projects, before the Prince Consort's early death, was finding a bride for Eddie. They had settled on Alexandra just before Albert died. The Danish princess was considered pretty and kind while the playboy prince who would become her husband was allowed one final fling before proposing in 1862.

Royal Wedding Edward and Alexandra married on March 10th 1863 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor with Victoria in mourning clothes. They posed for a photo with a marble bust of Prince Albert afterwards. 

What happened next The new Prince and Princess of Wales quickly had a family but Edward kept up his philandering ways throughout their marriage. They became King and Queen of Great Britain in 1901. Edward VII died in 1910, Queen Alexandra died in 1925.

Princess Louise, March 21st 1871, 
St George's Chapel, Windsor


Bride HRH Princess Louise Caroline Alberta of Great Britain (born 1848)

Groom John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lorne (born 1845)

The Bride's Family Louise was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The Groom's Family John was the eldest son of, and heir to George, Duke of Argyll and his wife, Elizabeth. 

Royal Romance Louise had been talked about in connection with a possible Danish royal marriage but her matchmaker mamma insisted on a wedding with a member of the British aristocracy. Her groom's father had been a good friend of Prince Albert and had served as Privy Seal.

The Royal Wedding Louise married John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne on March 21st 1871 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor

What happened next....John became Governor General of Canada in 1878 and the couple lived there for several years. They became Duke and Duchess of Argyll in 1900. Louise and John never had children but despite some bumps along the way, they were a devoted couple.


Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, March 13th 1879,
St George's Chapel, Windsor


Bride HRH Princess Luise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes of Prussia (born 1860)

Groom HRH Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught (born 1850)

The Bride's Family Luise was the daughter of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia who called Kaiser Wilhelm I uncle. Her mother was Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt.

The Groom's Family Arthur was the third, and some say favourite, son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Royal Romance Luise's parents were notoriously unhappy together and were leading separate lives by the time their daughter became engaged. Their family fallouts apparently concerned Queen Victoria enough for her to express doubts about the marriage but the couple pressed on.

The Royal Wedding Luise Margaret of Prussia married Arthur, Duke of Connaught on March 13th 1879 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.

What happened next....the couple spent a lot of time abroad as the Duke of Connaught took on various postings around the world. Their home in England was Bagshot Park, Surrey. They had three children together and through their elder daughter, Margaret, they are the great grandparents of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

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