Queen Alexandra (1844-1925)

[Duke of New Jersey]

Some books say the picture was taken in 1887 for the Golden Jubilee, and in another book I saw the picture said "At the time this picture was taken the Queen was on the throne for 46 years" so that would make in 1883. 

-Duke of NJ

[Duke of New Jersey]

So what is the verdict from the experts on the picture?  It would be interesting to know when it was taken.

-Duke of NJ

[gogm]

Alexandra's dress has a bustle, suggesting 1870s or 1880s. The 1870s bustle dresses were full-skirted, a vestige of the crinoline era, while the 1880s weren't. This looks 1880s. 1870s dresses often have square necklines, this has a vee more like the 1880s. However, Queen Victoria also has a vestige of youth in her appearance that would say 1870s. Alexandra stayed youthful and also made sure her photos were touched up to further enhance the impression. Maybe this is a photo taken in the 1880s with some pre-release retouching of the ladies.

[Duke of New Jersey]

Another thing we have to note is that Bertie's beard has not grayed yet and it seems as the Queen's is hair is not fully white so it would seem that 1896 seems to late because by then the Queen Victoria's hair was totally white. 

-Duke of NJ

[grandduchessella]

Back in post #379 I wrote the occasions could be different because the description of her dress doesn't match what photo they used. That would seem to rule out the 1896 drawing room--I should've made that clearer. Perhaps it was from another such occasion earlier and they used it to illustrate? Either way, they definitely seem to be wearing mourning, including a black veil on Alexandra's part--seen in other photos, but not really showing up in this particular one, it being too dark. The grouping of the 3 seems almost definitely to be a composite photo, though since the poses of all 3 seem directly lifted from other photos--QV's being from the Golden Jubilee in 1887.

[Duke of New Jersey]

Thanks for clearing that up GDE!

It was interesting to try to figure these things out and then to figure it out, but as you see in my case it was only a try!!

-Duke of NJ

[Kate_S]

I would say that from the style of dress ie very tight fitted bodice, drapery across the top of the skirt etc that it is certainly mid to late 1880s so the Golden Jubilee would seem the most likely from the clothing point of view

[Alix of Wales had Panache]

FYI on Youtube, there's a slideshow also providing a brief bio of Alix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruTEW1EuFpE

[Alix of Wales had Panache]

I like that pic very, very much Royal Netherlands.  Looks like someone in the family came in and, "Can I snap one?"

btw, new picture I found on ebay of Alix and Bertie together.  If someone else has posted it, I'm sorry.  It appears to be shortly after they had married.



Alix looks kinda shy, doesn't she?

[Duke of New Jersey]

Another one (thumbnail):



-Duke of NJ

[Eric_Lowe]

Saw another one holding her dog...

[grandduchessella]

[Mary R.]

When was this photo taken?

Mary R.

[grandduchessella]

About 1903-05 I think.

[Eric_Lowe]

Queen for a few years...