On 21st March 1871, Princess Louise, sixth child of Queen Victoria, married John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor l.
“On waking I could hardly believe this trying day, which seemed so far distant had really came at last! It was dull early but it soon began to get very bright. — Dear Louise came as usual to breakfast which she took with Leopold, Beatrice & me & was quite calm, but not very well, having got a fresh cold & sore through, with which she has been so troubled of late. — Crowds beginning to assemble & bustle everywhere. — Louise gave me a little locket to put a piece of her wreath in. — The sun came out brilliantly & the day became beautiful. — Louise came to my bedroom to dress. Unfortunately she had a very bad headache. Then my turn to dress came. I wore a black satin dress, trimmed with jets, on my head, over my veil my diamond & really Tiara & my Parure to match. Louise was very pale, but looked very handsome & graceful in her white satin dress, with beautiful Honiton lace (my gifts) & orange blossom, myrtle & white heather, the veil to match, — a very long train trimmed the same. At ¼ to 12 we started, only dear Louise driving with me, sitting opposite. My Procession consisted of 5 carriages. We drove down the hill, where lots of people stood, including Eton Boys, in at the St. George’s gate, driving under the low arch of the cloisters, up to the great door. The 8 Bridesmaids (Lorne’s sister Elizabeth, Ly Florence Gordon Lennox, Ly Mary Cecil, Ly Mary Butter, Ly Florence Montagu, Ly Grace Gordon & Ly Constance Seymour) were waiting on the steps & at once without difficulty took up Louise’s train. The Procession was then formed & I walked up the Nave next to Louise, Bertie on her other side & Ernest Coburg, next to me. The march from “Athalie” was played on the organ. When we reached the altar steps, Lorne with his 2 supporters was standing there. My children & the Royal Family were to my left & the Argylls, their family, the Maharajah, Maharani, & Edward S. Weimer to my right. Lorne looked rather nervous, but his bearing was admirable. It was such a pity he was not wearing his kilt. Both he & Louise spoke very distinctly. The Bishop of London, acting for the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, who is still absent, performed the service very well. Beethoven’s Hallelujah Chorus, which my beloved Husband was so fond of, was sung at the conclusion. […]
©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III
[…] After all was over I kissed dear Louise & shook hands with Lorne who kissed mine, then he led her out of the Chapel followed by her Bridesmaids. I walked between Ernest & Bertie, Handel’s Occasional “Overture” being played. The None might have held treble the number of people, which we much regretted. I stopped at the top of the steps & saw the young couple drive off alone, always a hard trial for a mother, & then got into my carriage with Ernest & Bertie. Had on Escort both going & coming. Great cheering from the assembled crowds. We found Louise & Lorne at the bottom of the stairs, & I made them go in front of us up into the green Drawingroom where all our family & Lorne’s soon joined us & the congratulations took place. The Bishops & the Dean then appeared & the Registers were signed in the White Drawingroom.
This over, we proceeded to the Reception Room, where were assembled all the guests & I went round, Louise, with her train carried by her Bridesmaids following me, speaking to nearly everyone. We came back to my room, where I Knighted Lorne with Arthur’s sward, & gave him the Order of the Thistle. By ½ p. 2 luncheon was served in the Oak Room, Lorne leading Louise in, & sitting at my right. All the Royal Family, the Argylls, Annie Sutherland & the Ld Steward lunched. The Band played in the Quadrangle, alternately with the Pipers of the 91rst. At the end of luncheon just before getting up, I proposed the “The health of the Bride & Bridegroom with many wishes for their health & happiness. We then separated, & Louise, who looked pale & tired went to undress. She reappeared in a pretty white corded silk, & little bonnet trimmed with orange blossoms. I kissed them both, & then they drove off, amidst showers of shoes & rice, everyone crowding to the door. I ran up to see them driving down to the Town, with an Escort, & then up the Long Walk, amidst tremendous crowds & much cheering. The Escort only went as far as old Windsor. A splendid evening. – A little after 5 I drove with Alix, Beatrice & the Dss of Roxburghe, one of the Equerries riding, through the crowded town, all hung with flays, so gay, & all preferring for the illuminations. Went round by Slough. – Took my tea & rested, feeling very tired & overcome. Then went over to see the Argylls, who were much gratified & most grateful for everything. – Just before dinner got letters from Claremont from Louise, &C, reporting their arrival at 6. Great crowds, decorations & arches all along the way. Leopold & Beatrice, Elizabeth Argyll, the Dowr Duchess & the Dss of Roxburghe dined with me. The children afterwards went to the Concert. -“
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© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest
