WINDSOR CASTLE 



and coming forward with little steps, on her 

 father's arm, Alexandra, who had already won 

 all hearts, filled the place with the vision of 

 her loveliness and charm. Queen Victoria was 

 much moved when the hymn composed by 

 the Prince Consort for the Crown Princess of 

 Prussia's wedding was sung. The Archbishop 

 of Canterbury and the Bishop of London per- 

 formed the ceremony. The King and Queen 

 of Denmark, the Crown Prince and Princess of 

 Prussia were present ; their eldest son Prince 

 William was placed between his uncles, the 

 Dukes of Connaught and Albany ; Prince Louis 

 of Hesse was here with his wife, Princess Alice, 

 the second daughter of the Queen ; Princesses 

 Louise, Helena, and Beatrice were present also. 

 The state banquet was held after the ceremony 

 in St. George's Hall. The ring put on the 

 bride's ringer was composed of beryl, emerald, 

 ruby, turquoise, jacynthe, and emerald, so 

 arranged that the initial letters of the stones 

 spelt " Bertie " ; that given to Edward by 

 Alexandra was plain gold, the name "Alexandra" 

 being engraved within. 



Former marriages between the British royal 



55 



