How beloved princess was 'a breath of fresh air' for the British Royal Family

Daily Mail​

28-04-2025

Alexandra of Denmark, firstly Princess of Wales and then Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, was renowned as one of the most elegant ladies of her era.
When she married Edward, Prince of Wales in 1863, her mother-in-law, Queen Victoria, had already been in deep mourning for the death of Prince Albert for two years. Court life in London disappeared.
So, when the Danish Princess married the heir to the throne, she brought a beauty and a freshness to the British Royal Family that spread throughout the aristocracy.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were very much in love, and both are captured in their youthful elegance which can be seen in the almost life size portraits by Winterhalter at the current exhibition at Buckingham Palace 's King's Gallery.
But it is the sheer amount of jewels worn by the Princess of Wales, then afterwards Queen Alexandra, that she is so often remembered by - painted draped in diamonds and pearls; some of which are on display; as are several diamonds set gifts from the Indian subcontinent.
The highlight of the exhibition is the splendid Coronation gown that the newly minted Queen Alexandra wore in August 1902. Despite enjoying a social life, the public's perception of the Royal Family was of Queen Victoria's black gowns and pearl necklaces, her only head ornaments being her small diamond crown that she wore over her widow's cap and Prince Albert's sapphire and diamond coronet.
It was decided that the coronation, despite being delayed for two months due to Edward having an appendicitis emergency, would be sumptuous and bring in a new glamorous era.
Alexandra chose Parisian couture maison Morin Blossier to create a gold dress embroidered with thousands of gold spangles (similar to sequins but with the hole at the top so that they hang and move more fluidly) which would sparkle iridescently under the lights that had been installed in the Abbey for the occasion.
Alexandra chose Parisian couture maison Morin Blossier to create a gold dress embroidered with thousands of gold spangles (similar to sequins but with the hole at the top so that they hang and move more fluidly) which would sparkle iridescently under the lights that had been installed in the Abbey for the occasion
The gown was covered by a gold gauze net that had been embroidered in Delhi, then part of the British Empire.
Queen Alexandra also wore not one but two pearl and diamond necklaces during the magnificent event - both of which you will find near to the gown.
Her wedding necklace and earrings were a gift from the Prince of Wales her husband; created by the Crown Jewellers Garrard - they are thought to have been inspired by a pearl and diamond parure that Empress Eugenie wore for her wedding to Napoleon III, in 1853, with large pearls surrounded by diamonds designed to look like buttons.
The second was the Dagmar necklace, given to her as a wedding present by the King of Denmark, which she actually wore as a stomacher on her gold gown.
This ornate piece of jewellery gets its name from the pendant cross that is a replica of a famous, enamelled, 12th century cross, which was buried with Queen Dagmar of Denmark in 1212 - the cross also has a small fragment of wood from the True Cross (that on which Jesus was crucified) and some silk from the grave of King Canute.
An official portrait of Queen Alexandra by Sir Samuel Luke Fildes shows her in all her coronation splendour.
Alongside these is the Kokoshnik tiara, that was a gift to the then Princess of Wales for her 25th wedding anniversary in 1888 from the Ladies of Society (the 365 peeresses), and inspired by her sister's, the Tsarina Maria Feodorovna of Russia, traditional diamond Russian headdress. There is also her ostrich feather fan that has a diamond crown, an 'A' and the national emblems set on the handle.
A pair of Tiffany opera glasses set with diamonds, a Cartier rose quartz flamingo with diamond eyes, and a Faberge blue guilloche enamel cigarette case set with diamonds are just a few other incredible bejewelled treasures in the exhibition - as well as Queen Mary's Love Trophy Collar.
During 1875–1876 the then Prince of Wales toured India, visiting more than 21 regions including parts of modern-day India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, as an opportunity to forge diplomatic links between Indian rulers and the British Crown as well as occasion for Prince Edward to learn more about the culture and history of part of the Empire.
Gifts were exchanged with each ruler he met, as was customary during diplomatic visits, many of which are set with a huge number of large diamonds, from of course India - it had been only a decade since diamonds were first found in South Africa. A large cabinet contains several of these gifts - a shield; a sword from the Maharajah of Jaipur; a punch dagger set with diamonds, emerald and rubies set in floral motifs; a woman's belt also set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies, from the Maharajah of Mysore; and a perfumer holder (attar dan) set with diamonds and pearls on enamel.
When he returned home the pieces were sent on loan around the United Kingdom, and later to Paris and Copenhagen, before being displayed in Sandringham House in what became known as the Indian Room.
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from 11 April to 23 November 2025.