Queen Victoria | Document signed, warrant to negotiate the marriage of the Prince of Wales, 7 November 1862

Queen Victoria

Document signed ("Victoria RI"), a warrant addressed to Lord Westbury, Lord Chancellor, 

authorising the Great Seal to be affixed to the letters patent granting Lord Paget authority to conclude a treaty for the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra, 3 pages, folio, Osborne, 7 November 1862, mourning stationery, papered seal; with an accompanying copy of the letters patent, altogether 10 pages, folio; light staining, nicks, stab-holes at margin

The Queen was keen to see an early marriage to curb the enthusiasms of her dissolute eldest son "Bertie" (later Edward VII). In September 1861 he was introduced to the "outrageously beautiful" Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925). An engagement had followed a year later, and Paget was ordered to complete the diplomatic negotiations ahead of the marriage in March 1863. As Princess of Wales, and later as Queen, Alexandra brought a refined stylish elegance to the British royal family and was amongst the first senior royals to place the patronage of charities as a central aspect of her role in national life.