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Alexandrine of Baden (1820-1904)
Encyclopedia
Alexandrina of Baden was the eldest child of Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden
(1790–1852) and his wife Princess Sophie of Sweden (1801–65).
was sent to Baden
in order to present himself as a suitor for Alexandrine's hand in marriage. Alexandrine already regarded herself as his betrothed, as all the preliminary negotiations had taken place. On the journey there however, Alexander visited the court of Hesse-Darmstadt
and met Princess Marie of Hesse and eventually married her.
At the urging of his brother Prince Albert, The Hereditary Prince Ernst of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (born 1818) began to search for a suitable bride. Albert believed that a wife would be good for his brother; "Chains you will have to bear in any case, and it will certainly be good for you... The heavier and tighter they are, the better for you. A married couple must be chained to one another, be inseparable, and they must live only for one another". With this advice in mind (though Albert was reprimanded for presuming to counsel his elders), Ernest began searching.
Around this time, Ernest was suffering from a venereal disease brought on by his many affairs; Albert consequently counseled him from marrying until he was fully recovered. He also warned that continued promiscuity could leave Ernest unable to father children. Ernest waited a few years before marrying as a result.
On 13 May 1842 in Karlsruhe Ernest married Princess Alexandrine. To the consternation of his brother and sister-in-law Queen Victoria, the marriage failed to "settle down" Ernest. Alexandrine accepted all his faults cheerfully enough however, and began a fierce devotion to Ernest that would become more and more baffling to the outside world.
, as Duke in 1844. The marriage would prove to be childless. Though it was most likely that the fault lay with Ernest (due to the venereal disease he caught before his marriage), Alexandrine seems to have accepted without question that their childlessness was her fault.
The same year Ernest succeeded as Duke, the couple traveled to Windsor
to visit their relations. Lady Eleanor Stanley, one of Victoria's maids-of-honour, commented to her mother, "the Duke is not well, they say, and he certainly looks dreadfully ill... he however shook hands with us very civilly at meeting, and seemed in great spirits at being with his brother. The Duchess [Alexandrine] told Lady Duoro she had been at Ems in hopes of producing a son and heir, but it had no effect as yet; we were rather amused at her saying it so simply, but she seems a very nice person and very pretty".
The couple's relationship at this stage was "as unclouded as it would ever be", in the words of historian Charlotte Zeepvat. While touring some farms in Windsor
, Alexandrine caught a cold; they left soon after. Lady Eleanor commented again that "[Alexandrine] was very sweet at parting, and kissed us all round; she looked very delicate, as white as a sheet, and more fit to be in her bed than undertaking a long journey. The parting of the Royalty was not so sorrowful as I expected; plenty of kissing, but no tears". Victoria was sorry to see them leave, as she loved Ernest loyally for Albert's sake, and had come to see Alexandrine as a sister.
Victoria chose Ernest to be the godfather
of her second daughter Princess Alice
, and he was consequently expected in England in April 1859 for her confirmation. Though Victoria was eager to see his wife again, and though plans had been arranged the previous year for her to visit, Ernest chose to not bring her along. It was clear that as the chances of producing children had faded, Ernest was taking less and less interest in his wife.
later recalled Ernest as "an old beau, squeezed into a frock-coat too tight for his bulk and uncomfortably pinched in at the waist', sporting a top hat, lemon coloured gloves, and a rosebud in his lapel". Prince Ernest Louis of Hesse
recalled how Alexandrine used to trail behind her husband calling, "Ernst, my treasure"; this caused particular embarrassment at the 1887 Windsor jubilee when Ernst Ludwig's brother-in-law Grand Duke Sergei
imitated Alexandrine, calling out to Ernest Louis "Ernst, my treasure", not realizing that the Duke was approaching from the other end of the room. "He saw my aghast expression and turned, then we both fled, escaping into different rooms. I burst out laughing but for a long time Sergei was desperately worried, because he didn't know if Uncle had heard him".
Ernest died on 22 August 1893 after a short illness. Alexandrine survived him by nine years, finally dying on 20 December 1904.
Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden
Leopold I, Grand Duke of Baden succeeded in 1830 as the fourth Grand Duke of Baden....
(1790–1852) and his wife Princess Sophie of Sweden (1801–65).
Background
Before he ascended the throne, Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia
Alexander II , also known as Alexander the Liberator was the Emperor of the Russian Empire from 3 March 1855 until his assassination in 1881...
was sent to Baden
Baden
Baden is a historical state on the east bank of the Rhine in the southwest of Germany, now the western part of the Baden-Württemberg of Germany....
in order to present himself as a suitor for Alexandrine's hand in marriage. Alexandrine already regarded herself as his betrothed, as all the preliminary negotiations had taken place. On the journey there however, Alexander visited the court of Hesse-Darmstadt
Hesse-Darmstadt
Hesse-Darmstadt or the German Hessen-Darmstadt is a name that describes:* Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt , a state of the Holy Roman Empire...
and met Princess Marie of Hesse and eventually married her.
At the urging of his brother Prince Albert, The Hereditary Prince Ernst of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (born 1818) began to search for a suitable bride. Albert believed that a wife would be good for his brother; "Chains you will have to bear in any case, and it will certainly be good for you... The heavier and tighter they are, the better for you. A married couple must be chained to one another, be inseparable, and they must live only for one another". With this advice in mind (though Albert was reprimanded for presuming to counsel his elders), Ernest began searching.
Around this time, Ernest was suffering from a venereal disease brought on by his many affairs; Albert consequently counseled him from marrying until he was fully recovered. He also warned that continued promiscuity could leave Ernest unable to father children. Ernest waited a few years before marrying as a result.
On 13 May 1842 in Karlsruhe Ernest married Princess Alexandrine. To the consternation of his brother and sister-in-law Queen Victoria, the marriage failed to "settle down" Ernest. Alexandrine accepted all his faults cheerfully enough however, and began a fierce devotion to Ernest that would become more and more baffling to the outside world.
Succession and childlessness
He succeeded his father, Ernst IErnst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, formerly Ernest III, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was the duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and from 1826, the first sovereign duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha....
, as Duke in 1844. The marriage would prove to be childless. Though it was most likely that the fault lay with Ernest (due to the venereal disease he caught before his marriage), Alexandrine seems to have accepted without question that their childlessness was her fault.
The same year Ernest succeeded as Duke, the couple traveled to Windsor
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
to visit their relations. Lady Eleanor Stanley, one of Victoria's maids-of-honour, commented to her mother, "the Duke is not well, they say, and he certainly looks dreadfully ill... he however shook hands with us very civilly at meeting, and seemed in great spirits at being with his brother. The Duchess [Alexandrine] told Lady Duoro she had been at Ems in hopes of producing a son and heir, but it had no effect as yet; we were rather amused at her saying it so simply, but she seems a very nice person and very pretty".
The couple's relationship at this stage was "as unclouded as it would ever be", in the words of historian Charlotte Zeepvat. While touring some farms in Windsor
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
, Alexandrine caught a cold; they left soon after. Lady Eleanor commented again that "[Alexandrine] was very sweet at parting, and kissed us all round; she looked very delicate, as white as a sheet, and more fit to be in her bed than undertaking a long journey. The parting of the Royalty was not so sorrowful as I expected; plenty of kissing, but no tears". Victoria was sorry to see them leave, as she loved Ernest loyally for Albert's sake, and had come to see Alexandrine as a sister.
Victoria chose Ernest to be the godfather
Godfather
A godfather is a male godparent in the Christian tradition.Godfather may also refer to:*A male arranged to be legal guardian of a child if untimely demise is met by the parentsPeople:* Capo di tutti capi, a Mafia crime boss...
of her second daughter Princess Alice
Princess Alice of the United Kingdom
The Princess Alice was a member of the British royal family, the third child and second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.Alice's education was devised by Albert's close friend and adviser, Baron Stockmar...
, and he was consequently expected in England in April 1859 for her confirmation. Though Victoria was eager to see his wife again, and though plans had been arranged the previous year for her to visit, Ernest chose to not bring her along. It was clear that as the chances of producing children had faded, Ernest was taking less and less interest in his wife.
Affairs
Before and during their marriage, Ernest carried on countless affairs with various women. Alexandrine remained a loyal wife however, and chose to ignore those relationships she was aware of. At one point, Ernest had two mistresses, and was living with them and Alexandrine "in an improbable ménage which made the couple a laughing-stock to all but their family". Though she loved Alexandrine, Victoria was appalled by her willingness to accept his affairs, commenting that "Uncle E.'s conduct is perfectly monstrous and I must blame Aunt very much. They have not written to me yet - but when they do I shall have to write very strongly".Later life
As the years went by, Ernest's behavior and manner of dress increasingly became a joke to younger generations. A daughter of Ernest's nephew and successor Prince Alfred, Duke of EdinburghAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha...
later recalled Ernest as "an old beau, squeezed into a frock-coat too tight for his bulk and uncomfortably pinched in at the waist', sporting a top hat, lemon coloured gloves, and a rosebud in his lapel". Prince Ernest Louis of Hesse
Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse
Ernest Louis Charles Albert William , was the last Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine from 1892 until 1918...
recalled how Alexandrine used to trail behind her husband calling, "Ernst, my treasure"; this caused particular embarrassment at the 1887 Windsor jubilee when Ernst Ludwig's brother-in-law Grand Duke Sergei
Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia was a son of Emperor Alexander II of Russia...
imitated Alexandrine, calling out to Ernest Louis "Ernst, my treasure", not realizing that the Duke was approaching from the other end of the room. "He saw my aghast expression and turned, then we both fled, escaping into different rooms. I burst out laughing but for a long time Sergei was desperately worried, because he didn't know if Uncle had heard him".
Ernest died on 22 August 1893 after a short illness. Alexandrine survived him by nine years, finally dying on 20 December 1904.
Titles and styles
- 6 December 1820 – 13 May 1842: Her Grand Ducal Highness Princess Alexandrine of Baden
- 13 May 1842 – 29 January 1844: Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
- 29 January 1844 - 22 August 1893: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
- 22 August 1893 - 20 December 1904: Her Royal Highness The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha