Queen Victoria’s Journal, Royal Weddings, Windsor castle

Queen Victoria’s Journal- The Wedding of Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert of Anhalt, 6th July 1891:

“The wedding day, which was wet early, then cleared & became fine. — Drove to Frogmore for breakfast with Dona & Marie. — Rested when I came back. — Lunched alone with Beatrice & Liko. — Great excitement & bustle, bands marching along, bells ringing, &c. Lenchen & the dear Bride, who looked very sweet in here becoming wedding dress, came into my room, & waited there. I wore a black & silver brocade, with Indian silver embroidery as trimming, & diamond ornaments & coronet. I followed soon after William to St. George’s Chapel, going with Lenchen & Christle. There were great crowds of enthusiastic people. A Guard of Honour was drawn up outside the Chapel. I got out at a side door, close to the Choir, thus avoiding the high flight of steps & long walk up the have. I walked alone, Lenchen, Christle & Victoria following close behind, & stepped on the “haut pas” near the altar. I bowed to William & Dona, who stood to my right, Bertie, Alix & Lenchen near me, & the rest of my family behind. The Anhalt family stood opposite. There was very little waiting. Aribert came first, supported by his 2 brothers, wearing the uniform of my Prussian Regt the “Garde Dragoner”. Very soon the Bride’s procession came slowly up, preceded by the Choir, singing a pretty hymn, of which the wards were by the Bishop of Ripon, & the music by Dr Parratt. The Bride looked charming, in her creamy white satin gown, made with a very long train, trimmed with lace & orange flowers & myrtle. She wore her mother’s wedding veil, & the diamond stars I gave her, finned in amongst the wreath. Christian led her by the hand, Abby walking on the other side, & she was followed by the 6 Bridesmaid, dressed all in white. They were: Ly Esther Gore, Ly Emily Cadogan, Ly Edith Ward, Ly Elisabeth Meade, Ly Mabel Egerton & Miss Beatrice Bridgeman. Louie was very self-possessed, curtsied to me & then went up to the altar. […]

Princess Marie Louise signing the marriage registry

[…] The Arch Bishop of Canterbury performed the service, & said a few kind words of advice instead of the Address at the end. The music was very fine. kissed the young couple, & then stepped across & kissed the Dss of Anhalt, & shook hands with the Duke. The Bride & Bridegroom left the Chapel first, & we all followed. On returning to the Castle we went into the Green Drawingroom, & waited an interminable time, for the Arch Bishop & Dean, for the signing of the Register. Then we all of the family went into the Dining Room & took tea at 7 small table, 7 or 8 at each. The Bride & Bridegroom, William, & the 4 mutual Parents sat at my table. The wedding cake, a very handsome one, was place on the side board. The Band of my Russian Regt played on the Terrace. – After the Brides & Bridegroom had changed their clothes we went down to the Hall to see them drive off in one of my open landaus & 4 for Cliveden, where they are spending the honey moon. It was very trying moment for poor Lenchen, & both she & Victoria were much upset. – I took a short drive, feeling the necessity for fresh air & Went through Windsor & Eton, which were full of people. The decorations were very pretty. – Had a large dinner in the Dining Room, but no one came from Cumberland Lodge. I annex the dinner list. After dinner the whole of Household dinner party came in, as well as some others. My Private Band played in the Green Drawingroom, while we sat in the red one. -—”

http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest

2 thoughts on “Queen Victoria’s Journal- The Wedding of Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert of Anhalt, 6th July 1891:”

  1. Hi, do you know who were Dona, Marie, Christle? I´m not familiar to these names

    1. Hi, thank you for your question. Dona is Princess Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, wife of Wilhelm II. Christle is Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein and Marie is the bride, Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein

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