Grand Duchess Alice of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain

[Finelly]

Oh, and Ella also inherited the creative side.  She designed her own gowns, etc.

[Ssyentz]

Finelly,

Good points!  

I think we can also detect a sense of resolute determination in these women.  Not really blatent defiance and frequently less as openly stated as Alice's practice, but present.  Ella was  the most eloquent at maintaining a non-offensive demeanor, seconded by Victoria.  Alix certainly got to the point where she dismissed whast she didn't (or was unwilling to) accept, with no concern at all for others' perception.
Each held to an individual set of beliefs, asserting them in differing manners.  

I need to learn much more about Irene.  It will beinteresting to note how the various situations in which each of these sisters found themselves changed these women as well as how those particular women altered their own settings and surroundings.

[bluetoria]

I need to learn much more about Irene.  It will beinteresting to note how the various situations in which each of these sisters found themselves changed these women as well as how those particular women altered their own settings and surroundings.

Irene seems always so overshadowed by her siblings that she becomes the more interesting. I have always wondered how she felt after escaping from the German uprising with red flags tied to her car, when she discovered what had happened to her sisters at the hands of the 'Reds.'

Vicky seems to have been disappointed in her lack of interest in learning (there being no newspapers & very few books in the house) & yet she seems such a kind person. And perhaps she inherited her mother's ability to shock when she didn't - to Vicky's horror - diguise her pregnancy but appeared openly 'in front of children & gentlemen!!

[Ssyentz]

Seems these girls all continued their mother's sense of honesty and openness.

I have Hough's Louis & Victoria right here, waiting to be read.  What sources do you recommend for info re: Irene?  I'm still waiting for my copies of Ella and Hessian Tapestry.  I know I'll find much in those; any other ideas?

Of course, I'll never get anything read until I turn off the computer!  And then, I'll have to force myself to put down the books!  Some things I just can't multitask!

[grandduchessella]

I thought we discussed this long, long ago and decided this wasn't taken at Bertie's wedding? Louis is wearng a uniform at the wedding and not in the photo. I could be wrong though--wouldn't be the first time.  

[Alicky1872]

The idea that this picture was taken on Bertie and Alix's wedding day must be a common mistake, because this picture and ones of Alice and Louis alone, appear in a book all about the famous wedding painting. However, you're right Grandduchessella, this was discussed in another thread, and I seem to remember there being a picture posted, from the same day--this time with Bertie (wearing a full beard, which he certainly did not have on his wedding day--it looks late 1860's-early 1870's to me) and Arthur Connaught, as a teenager, and he was still a young boy in 1863 at the wedding. So, when were they all together in the late 60's--early 70's? Did Louis come to the Thanksgiving Service for Bertie in 1872?

[grandduchessella]

I had thought at first it was the one to which you refer MrsE but Louis has a beard by then too. This must be a 3rd occasion? One in which Louis is wearing Garter gear (that is what he's wearing isn't it?) Louis had his beard by the '72 Thanksgiving service as well. This has to be early '60s but I don't think it can be Bertie's wedding for the fact that in other photos of the time Alice is heavily covered up due to the pregnancy--I can't see why she'd have a formal photo done.  

Here's the photo MrsE referred to:

[grandduchessella]

Helena was married in July of 1867.

[grandduchessella]

You're right of course.    I was looking at QV's letters to Vicky and she was complaining about Alice's treatment of Helena regarding her marriage. I thought all the trouble was before Helena married. I KNEW I should've checked the Gotha to double-check but was on my way to lunch.  :-/

[bluetoria]

But Alice & Louis didn't attend Lenchen's wedding. It was in the middle of the 7 Weeks War.

In 1867 they were in England for the celebrations to welcome the Sultan.... :-/

[Alicky1872]

Thanks for posting the picture anyway, Grandduchessella. Yes, that was the one, but after I posted I thought "Louis' beard!" and knew it couldn't have been right! It's all so confusing sometimes!  

Maybe Blanche is right!

[Rosamund]

I have a close up of this photo and I find the background very strange.  Usually there are curtains, pedestals and balustrades to set off the subjects.  This one appears to be outside a building where a screen has been erected.  But as the brick wall is visible, has it been taken from the wrong angle?

[grandduchessella]

Every once in awhile you see the fullview of a photograph and can see the screen erected. They are probably part of a series (maybe checking angles, etc) that probably weren't published.  There's one in the Lafayette archives of GV & QM's wedding and you can see the background for the couple and the bridesmaids is just a screen with a rug on the ground. When I see these it's like seeing the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain--you always picture them in lovely throne rooms, etc...  

[Rosamund]

This is most interesting Grandduchessella.  With all the splendid backgrounds that State Rooms could provide it is amazing how the Royal Family was satisfied to stand in front of a plain screen. Considering that portraiture usually included the accoutrements of Royalty, photography seems to have brought them to our level. Perhaps Mayall used his props for his other customers as well!

Is there any record of the number of photographs that were taken at the wedding of Alice and Louis?  Possibly the tradition of bride and groom and groups together began with the Wales' marriage.  

[grandduchessella]

Alice & Louis from the painting:


I don't think there would've been many, if any at all, family photos from Alice's wedding as it came just months after Prince Albert's death and QV was still half-mad with grief. She didn't even want the wedding to occur. Even by the time Bertie married many of the family photos were gathered around Prince Albert's bust. They took photos at Vicky's wedding but I don't know how many--I've just seen the one of QV, Prince Albert & Vicky.