Queen Victoria’s journal- the wedding of Princess Victoria of Hesse and Prince Louis of Battenberg

On 30th April 1884,
Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, daughter of Princess Alice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, married Prince Louis of Battenberg at the Chapel of the Old Palace, Darmstadt.

“At length the eventful day had arrived, & all was excitement. A beautiful, but very hot morning, almost like July! At breakfast, gave souvenirs to all. Poor Victoria was not feeling well, so she could not come to breakfast. — Went out in the garden, which always reminds me of the one at the Embassy at Paris. Sat there writing & reading. Alix & the children came also Bertie, & they sat with me for some little time, talking about many things. — I yesterday evening gave Ludwig B. The civil K. C. B. — Poor Victoria continued to feel very unwell, & we sent for Dr Reid, to try & prescribe something for her, & she remained lying on the sofa. She could not come to luncheon. There was no bustle in the House, or endless questions, as is so often the case on such occasions, all was perfectly quietly & well done. I dressed, & wore one of my usual evening dresses, taking off my black cap & my crêpe, but had on pearls & diamonds. Vicky, Alix, Beatrice & all my grand daughters, were dressed completely in white. Thank God! Victoria, suddenly got all right again, & went to dress. She came down, looking so pretty in her dear Mama’s wedding lace over white satin, on her head the veil, sapphire & diamond diadem, given her by her Parents-in-law, & a wreath of orange flowers & myrtle, which I had given her. The dress was very long, but she had no train. Ella was in great beauty, wearing some of Serge’s beautiful presents, including an enormous cabochon sapphire drop, set in diamonds. Irène, looked also very nice, & Alickly lovely, in a short white dress. Ernie was quite plainly dressed in an Eton jacket & trousers, with white gloves. I drove with Victoria & Louis in a state coach & pair. There was an Escort of Cavalry & the Stall Meister rode on one side of the carriage, the Officer commanding the Escort, on the other. Victoria sat next me, & Louis opposite. How it reminded me, of our weddings. …

… — The streets were densely crowded & the people cheered very much, in the peculiar German way “Lebe hoch”. At the Schloss, there was a Guard of Honour. All the chief State Official, Westerweller, Babenan, &c received & precede us. Passed through one or 2 very large rooms, in which were many people, & came to the well known suite of rooms, in which I lived 4 years ago. In one of them the Suites had assembled & in the next the “Herrschaften”: Vicky, Fritz, & their children, Bertie, Alix, & theirs, Pss Charles, Pce Alexander & Pss Battenberg, with their 4 sons, the Bridegroom, Sandro of Bulgaria, Liko, & Franzjos, Marie Erbach & her Husband, the Landgrave & Landgravine of Hesse, their daughter Elizabeth, & her intended the Heredy Pce of Anhalt Dessau, & their son William. After waiting a short while, Louis said all was ready for the Civil Marriage to take place. A table was placed in the centre of the room, at one end of which stood Ludwig & Victoria, & at the opposite end, with his back to us, Minister Starck (the Prime Minister, who proceeded with this Civil Act, a dry, formal, matter of fact, proceeding. They, & their Parents, their ages, & abode, were described. The young Couple were then asked, whether they willingly consented to be married, to which they singly gave the answer “Ja”, & signed the book or register. This over the Procession began to move towards the Chapel. I went in with Ernie & Alicky, followed by Bertie’s girls, also all in white, looking very nice, the great Officers going first & the Suites following. After going down some steps, we walked a short way through a corridor, along which a number of people were standing, to see us pass. Then we entered the Chapel, which was arranged precisely the same as 4 years ago, for the Confirmation, whilst a voluntary was played on the organ. The Chapel was lit up, & was immensely full & intensely hot. The children stood immediately behind me, & the suite behind them. Then in succession, according to their rank, came all the Royalties, Fritz & Alix, Bertie & Alix, being the 2 first pairs. A long pause ensued, at length there was a movement, & various Court Officials began to appear, almost the last being one, who carried a most enormous wedding bouquet, the gift of the English residents, & then dear Victoria herself entered, walking between her Father, & Pce Alexander of Hesse, followed by Ludwig, in his naval uniform, walking between Pss Charles, & his mother, Princess Battenberg. …

… The young couple, who looked very handsome, took up their places in front of the altar, where stood the old Court Chaplain Bender, who performed the service very well. It began by the singing of a Chorale, then followed a short address & portions of scripture, & adaptations from our English marriage service, in the form of questions asked, & words used, which had been purposely arranged. The 2 rings laying on the Bible, were presented to the young couple, who put them on each other’s fingers, at which moment a salute was fired, & another Hymn was sung, after which they knelt down & Chaplain pronounced the Benediction, & prayed for God’s blessing & protection, the Organ all the while, being played very softly, which had the most solemn & touching effect. Both, looked deeply impressed. When they rose from their knees, another Hymn was sung, which concluded the service. I went up to dear Victoria & embraced her tenderly, & also kissed Ludwig, shaking hands with dear Louis & Pce Alexander, & embracing Pss Charles & Pss Battenberg. I could hardly restrain my tears when I thought of the last wedding 2 years ago at St. George’s, & how soon that happy marriage ended, & of the terrible uncertainty of life. The young coupled then walked out of the Chapel, & I followed with the Children. We returned to the same Drawingroom, where we remained a short while, after which, I left with Alicky & Janie Ely, wishing all the “Herrschaften” goodbye. The crowd in the streets was very great, & many English, cheered. It was my first public appearance, since March last year, excepting on that last mournful occasion at Windsor on the 4th. It was about ¼ p. 6, when we got back. Undressed at once, & went into the garden with J. Ely. — Resting & reading. …

… — Alicky, Louise, Victoria & Maud of Wales, dined with me. Just at the end of dinner, Victoria & Ludwig returned, & directly after, Beatrice & the others. Went to the Library where we waited to see the Bridal Pair go away. Vicky & her 2 daughters, Louis, Bertie & Alix, & the Battenberg sons arrived. At ½ p. 9, Victoria, (in a very simple travelling costume & hat), & Ludwig came down, & we all followed them to the door, Pce Alexander & Pss Battenberg having also come to the Hall. We saw them get into the carriage, amidst a shower of rice & slippers, & drive off to Jugenheim, which it will take them an hour to reach. Remained talking a little while below & looked at Sandro’s splendidly dressed Bulgarian attendant, a portly man, called Christo. The dress was much like the Albanian. Then, I went up to my room. I kissed Louis, & said I thought much of beloved Alice, whose spirit was surely near us. He seemed nervous & upset & grasped my hand. Felt very sad, excited, & very tired. —”