I think Alix had style & charm & was a great Queen, but as a person I think she lacked depth. Some of her comments about Thora of Schleswig-Holstein & the Edinburghs were very cutting & rather cruel. Here is what others said of her:
Drino:
She was so jealous of the English Royal Family that she never asked any of her English sisters-in-law to Sandringham, whereas she would fill the place with her Danish relations.
Queen Victoria :
...Spoils [her children] terribly.
...Is unfortunately most unreasonable and injudicious about her children.
...Is like a distinguished lady of society but nothing more
...Is quite a daughter to me.
...Is rather stiff and cold, and not what people are accustomed to.
...She is dear and good and gentle but looking very thin and pale
...I am sorry too for Bertie; I don’t think she makes his home comfortable; she is never ready for breakfast – not being out of her room till 11 often, and Bertie breakfasts alone and then she alone.
...so dear and sweet. She is a most loveable creature.
...A pattern of self-denial
...Is not clever and her feelings are so anti-German and yet so little really English that she is no real help – good, kind, dear as she is and much as I love her.
...Does not dress her hair to advantage just now, too high and pointed & close at the sides for her small head.
KR:
She is 51 years old but looks 30. she is marvellously slim and her bright kind smile creates an enchanting impression.
Marie Mallett:
Her restlessness is alarming and her one idea is to be constantly travelling, she looks ill, so do her daughters, and I hear she dreads the possibility of reigning.
Vicky:
“She is the sweetest girl who ever lived, and full of life and spirits…She has always been strong and healthy as possible and has never ailed anything in her life except having the measles…I own Princess A. of Holstein is the only one of these princesses for whom I feel portée – it would be dreadful if this pearl went to the horrid Russians.”
I know she is not brilliant in mind or conversation but I respect her and look to her as she is so thoroughly good, straightforward and unaffected, so equal in temper, so pure in mind. She hides under a little stiff manner, the kindest heart…
To be intimate with her, one must see much of her; she never makes advances of her own and has nothing overflowing or warm or tender about her relations with others and yet she is kind and good and affectionate, and one cannot be in the house with her without loving her. She is never maussade or out of temper or cross or impatient; her household are very fond of her.
Princess Alice:
How glad I am to hear you praise dear Alix! She is so good tactvoll and true. I love her very much.
