Alexandra of Denmark

1844-1925

Born Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia, daughter of Christian IX of Denmark. Alexandra married Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1863 at the age of just eighten. She remained as Princess of Wales from 1863 until her husband succeeded to the throne as Edward VII. She is the longest serving Princess of Wales in history. She then served as Queen Consort from 1901 until Edward's death in 1910.

Alexandra was highly popular among the British - moreso than her husband, who had a string of high profile affairs which Alexandra seems to have tolerated. She was copied in matters of fashion, much in the same way that a later Princess of Wales, Diana, was in more recent times. Her most lasting 'look' involved a choker and high necklines, a fashion that was copied for 50 years, and was probably brought on by her desire to hide a scar on her neck as a result of a childhood operation.

She established Queen Alexanda's Imperial Army Nursing Corps in 1902 (later to become Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps). She also launched Alexandra Rose Day in 1912 to raise funds for hospitals. She had a reputation for philanthropy, and seldom refused an appeal for money, which left her advisors frustrated, but did nothing to lessen her public popularity.

She died at Sandringham and was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The Queen Alexandra Memorial stands at Marlborough Gate, opposite to St James Palace in London.

Time period(s): Victorian Modern

Tags: Queen Alexandra   Edward VII   Alexandra of Denmark   Sandringham   Windsor Castle