What the bride wore

January 10, 1893

Although the Duke of Edinburgh may looked smart in his new uniform, as Honorary Grand Admiral in the German Navy,  it was his 17-year-old daughter, Princess Marie, who was the star of the show.

The young princess, who may one day be a Queen consort of Romania, is the first royal bride of the year.  As a befits a British princess, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Alexander II of Russia,  Princess Marie was splendidly dressed.

Her gown was made in the Empire style.  The skirt was "bordered with embroidery of pearl and crystal, intermingled with silver, in a design of festoons," which is "characteristic" of the French Empire period.

The "festoons were very deep in front and diminished gradually, as they receded toward the train."   These intervals were "scattered over with tiny stars of pearl and crystal, and a few miniature sprays of orange blossoms were introduced at the upper angles of the festoons."

The gown was made from "rich white-ribbed silk," and the bodice "was sewn with lines of pearl" that covered the waist, which was made from a band of crystal and pearl "passing across the them beneath where the low bodice was edged with folds of white velvet."

The puffed sleeves were also made from white velvet.  The bride wore a sash of white satin, "fastening to the left side, where there was a loop to receive the bridal bouquet."

Crown Princess Marie's wedding veil was "white tulle, worn over sprays of orange blossom."

Following German tradition,  Princess Marie did not have any bridesmaids, although she was attended by her sisters, Princess Victoria Melita and Princess Alexandra.  Princess Victoria Melita's gown was "pale sky-bl ye broché silk, the design showing a very small peacock feathers in white, surrounded by curving lines of forget-me-knots."

Princess Alexandra wore a similar dress, but "in pale rose pink instead of blue."

The bride's youngest sister,  eight-year-old Princess Beatrice was dressed in "corded silk in a beautiful shade of cream color suggestive of old ivory, with its tint of pale yellow in the tone."   A frill of Valenciennes lace edged the skirt, and a "broad ivory tinted satin sash was tied around Beatrice's waist."

Crown Princess Marie's going away dress was "remarkably simple," made from lavender gray Venetian cloth, embroidered in white silk all round and up one side.

Her trousseau was made in London, and "a group of deeply interested spectators" were able to view Princess Marie's new wardrobe in the dressmaker's showroom.



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