Princess Alexandra of Hohenlohe-Langenburg

[basilforever]

I don't think Princess Sandra was ugly either, (not physically at least).

[grandduchessella]

I don't think Sandra was ever really pretty at any point (personal opinion) but reading the quote, I think the reviewer was referring to her personality.

[Laura_]

I think the reviewer was referring to her personality.

that makes sense.

[trentk80]

In my opinion, Sandra was pretty as a child but not as a grown woman.

[Eddie_uk]

Not pretty but handsome IMO. I think she had a odd shaped mouth.

[HerrKaiser]

interesting ideas about Alexandra's "prettiness". I personally think she looks very pleasant, perhaps not pretty or beautiful, much in the same way Vickie did during her best years. the photo with baby Irma is a wonderful image, imo.

I do not see a thread on Prince William to ask this question, but it relates to this subject of subjective "looks" appeal. What has happened to the gorgeous looking teen and young man? William's features have gone the same way in his early 20s that Anne and papa Charles' did...the enlongating nose, the disappearing chin, the pinched hanovarian look. I know few people who have had such dramatic facial changes at that part of their lives. Anyone see this too? please direct this to a better thread if necessary.

[Michael II]

I think of all the children Alexandra and Alfred most favor their mother.  They have the round face of their mother.

[Eric_Lowe]

Except maybe Ducky. 

[grandduchessella]

Ducky was the spitting image of Alfred.




Sandra just always looked sullen to me--that detracts from any prettiness of features she might of had, in my opinion--and looks are always subjective. For instance, I find Vicky and Queen Olga very pretty (though Vicky had a rough period) even though they didn't have the conventional beauties of others. Vicky not only had beautiful coloring but she had an intelligent and rather gentle look to her and Queen Olga throughout all her sorrows never lost her sweet expression. Sandra always looked mad or sullen (sorry to be repetitive) to me.

[HerrKaiser]

Sandra does always look sullen and veritably sad. I find that "look" to be fairly common in photos of royals during the period pre WWII. I have posted earlier that Viktoria Luise seems to be one of the few that actually shows a valid smile in some photos.

the photo of Marie Coburg and three of her daughters is great. Is the event known? it appears to be a carriage and each has a stunning tiara, so they are going some place of import. The tiara on the second from the right (is that Sandra?) looks much like Alice's, given to her by QV.

[Laura_]

Sandra does always look sullen and veritably sad. I find that "look" to be fairly common in photos of royals during the period pre WWII. I have posted earlier that Viktoria Luise seems to be one of the few that actually shows a valid smile in some photos.

 Crown Princess Marie of Romania?  she did smile quite often and looked optimistic in many pictures.

the photo of Marie Coburg and three of her daughters is great. Is the event known? it appears to be a carriage and each has a stunning tiara, so they are going some place of import. The tiara on the second from the right (is that Sandra?) looks much like Alice's, given to her by QV.

i think it was Alfred and Maria's  Silver wedding celebrations   

[Eric_Lowe]

I seldom see Sandra smile in photos. She usually quite glum or pensive. 

[Eddie_uk]

Maybe there was a touch of bitterness or envy on Alexandras behalf at having two attractive older sisters?? Was she named after Queen Alexandra??

[Svetabel]

Maybe there was a touch of bitterness or envy on Alexandras behalf at having two attractive older sisters??

Definitely , also older sisters made more brilliant alliances.

[grandduchessella]

Sandra does always look sullen and veritably sad. I find that "look" to be fairly common in photos of royals during the period pre WWII. I have posted earlier that Viktoria Luise seems to be one of the few that actually shows a valid smile in some photos.

the photo of Marie Coburg and three of her daughters is great. Is the event known? it appears to be a carriage and each has a stunning tiara, so they are going some place of import. The tiara on the second from the right (is that Sandra?) looks much like Alice's, given to her by QV.

Sandra was worse thanm ost to me. Except in some informal shots, royals rarely smiled (understandable given the time to take photos) but didn't give off the same vibe. Queen Alexandra and Missy aren't smiling in many of their photos, yet no one would accuse them of being sullen. It's just something in her expression that seems dissatisfied with everything around her.

The photo of Marie Coburg and her 3 eldest daughters is from the wedding of Duke Ernst Gunther ('odious Gunther') of Schleswig-Holstein and Princess Dorothea of Coburg, daughter of Prince Philip and Princess Louise of Belgium. You can see Ferdinand of Bulgaria (a Coburg by birth) over Missy's shoulder. It has been identified as from the Silver Wedding celebrations but I have a photo from the wedding and they're wearing the exact same clothes and jewels.