Summer is over

Summer is over very soon and it was wonderful and long. We will continue our love story of Edward and Alexandra, however before we do so we would like to share some beautiful pictures of our home state Colorado.

The changing of the aspen trees is world famous. There are towns in the Colorado Rockies that were established during the Victorian Era. Twin Lakes was one of the destinations for the more affluent Victorian tourist as it has the looks of the European alpine resorts.

After 1880 Interlaken and Dexter House resorts were once very popular tourist attractions for travelers who would ride the train to a nearby stop and then take a carriage or stagecoach to the resort. Interlaken boasted a hotel, tavern, pool hall and 16-stall horse barn.
Historic photo source: http://visittwinlakescolorado.com/

Dexter House at Twin Lakes, Colorado
Photo source: www.coloradoguy.com

King Edward VII and Alexandra, Part II

This is the story of Edward VII and Alexandra. Albert and Alexandra's official engagement photo. Their engagement was announced in September of 1862 and the new invention of the photographic portraits made it possible to sell this picture in a glass protected frame for 1 Penny. It was such a romantic love story and
people loved it. Many households had a photo of their future King and Queen in their homes.

The royal yacht Victoria and Albert brought Princess Alexandra to England on March 7, 1863, where she was received with cannonball fire, church bells and ship sirens, letting people know that their future queen has arrived. Young girls dressed in Danish colors greeted the young bride by scattering flower petals in front of her. The Prince of Wales had arrived by train to accompany his bride to their final destination at Windsor castle, where Queen Victoria was to receive her future daughter in law.

People were enchanted by Alexandra and many traveled to Windsor to be part of this extraordinary wedding that was to take place on March 10, 1863 at St. George Chapel at Windsor Castle. Londoners were disappointed for they thought to miss out on a great spectacle and were not pleased with their Queens decision and said so in many London Newspapers.

to be continued soon ...
Please join us again in our royal love stories series in the Victorian era!

Edward VII and Alexandra, Part 1

This is the story of Edward VII and Alexandra.

It was a marriage arranged, Alexandra was Albert's (later King Edward VII) choice, she was named the most beautiful princess in Europe at that time. And although the marriage went through its turbulences over the years, mainly due to Alberts affairs, they seemed to have loved each other well. Albert was known to say later on that of all the women he knew, he loved and respected his wife the most.

The early years:

Crown Prince Albert, born 1841, was the eldest son to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

As the Prince of Wales he had very high expectations put upon him especially by his father, who's beliefs and values some called extreme.

Shown in the painting on the left:

Queen Victoria with her hands on Alberts shoulders, Vicky, their eldest daughter with flower headdress, next to Alice and toddler Arthur. In the background we see Alfred with Helena and Louise.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert spent as much time as duties allowed with their many children, imploring family values.

The summertime vacation was to go to Balmoral castle in Scottland, the boys wearing kilts and going hiking and hunting. The family loved the freedom Balmoral provided away from daily duties back in London.


some neat Victorian decor ideas are found at our shop: http://www.victoriandecorshop.com

Princess Alexandra, born in 1844, was the daughter of Prince Christian of Denmark and his wife Louise. Her family was rather financially reduced and the children were raised frugal. In 1853 her father unexpectedly became Crown Prince of Denmark and the family moved to a more appropriate home.
Palais Bernstorff is were Alexandra grew up:

She was a beauty early on, and even though the family was rather poor she had many choices, including the son of the Russian Czar. Her choice was Prince Albert and it was said by Queen Victoria later on that she loved him blindly and does not see any of his faults.

When Albert first met Alexandra he was infatuated with her great beauty, elegance and her noble character.

to be continued soon ...

Please join us again in our royal love stories series in the Victorian era!