Regards,
Dave.
Thanks Dave! Regarding the ornament in the second picture, I think it is composed of multiple strands of pearls, joined by small diamond elements. It was probably assembled temporarily.
Very nice of you Thomas, very informative. Could you say what elements are on HM's necklace in the second picture? And is the necklace chain in diamonds or pearls?
Regards,
Dave.
As your reports show, the Order was almost part of her 'uniform', and Alexandra wore it most often as Pss of Wales, either full sash and star, only the star, and later in life - it seems - as a small miniature badge with her family orders.
The order was probably a useful part of her ornaments, with its bright red riband and jewelled insignia.
Here at wedding of Princess Maud of Wales, 22 July 1896 (RCIN 2940422) She has secured the sash with a horseshoe brooch!
Here with the star only, ca 1887 (with stars in the Rundell Tiara)
It seems she played with her insignia, folding the riband to make it thinner.
As we all know, Alexandra was always most aware of her appearance!
Ca 1881 (RCIN 2514208)
We should bear in mind that in those days, the vast majority of royal ladies didn't wear orders as we know them today, with sash and star.
In Britain, only QV wore the sash of the orders she was Sovereign of, and her female attendants only had Foreign orders to wear on sashes. QV was certainly aware of this fact, as she allowed the recipients of the (Royal Family) Order of Victoria and Albert, First Class, to wear the badge on a 2 inches wide white moiré sash, hanging on the left hip.
We know from a few photographs that Alexandra also used this sash, at least once, at the York wedding in 1893, which was a purely British affair. (and she wore the star of St Catherine nonetheless)
Yet, it seems she prefered wearing the Order of St Catherine.
After her husband's accession, the Queen wore the Order of the Garter at all Courts, with family orders, and a number of miniatures which are quite difficult to make out in photographs, including a small cross of the Order of St Catherine (just above the Garter Star):
The Queen Dowager on 15 October 1913, photographed by Downey (Fife-Connaught wedding)
Alexandra's Insignia, ca 1860 (RCINs 441523 and 441522):
They are of very high quality manufacture (depending on the rank of the Lady, the quality of the diamonds varied considerably).
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