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Apart from her wedding day



Queen Alexandra (along with Edward VII) was painted by the Danish artist, Theodore Jensen for a State portrait destined for India. So far I have never been able to find an image of this painting.

1864


Queen Victoria's tendency to delegate her role in formal Drawing Room ceremonies meant that, as the Princess of Wales, Queen Alexandra had to act on Victoria's behalf immediately.

The Times reported on 18 May 1863 that Alexandra had worn opal ornaments for the first Drawing Room she conducted.


Throughout the years prior to becoming Queen, Alexandra was reported to have worn opal ornaments.

Below are just 2 of many examples.

For a Drawing Room in May 1866. The example below is interesting as it states that Queen Alexandra wore opals on a blue velvet head dress.



For a Drawing Room in April 1872


Idea of presenting the then Princess of Wales with an opal necklace

In 1886 during the Indian Colonial Exhibition there were reports of plans to present Queen Alexandra with an opal necklace, but I suspect that nothing came of this proposal.



Did Queen Alexandra have an opal necklace inherited from her mother?

I find the report below intriguing. I wonder if there is any truth to it?



Whether or not Queen Alexandra did or did not like opals is debatable. It may be that during Queen Victoria's life time Alexandra felt duty bound to wear her mother-in-law's gifts as well as those given to her by civic bodies.

I don't think too much can be made of the photo below which shows Queen Alexandra being shown an opal by a Brisbane Jeweller, JR Sankey, at an exhibition in London in 1908. HM may have only been showing a polite interest.

From the State Library of Queensland