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Alice Duchess of Gloucester's Bridal Head dress
Posted by Dave on June 11, 2019, 9:06 am
Having read that the late Duchess who lived to 102 years old and is recorded as the oldest lived royal dawned a crystal head wear on her wedding day. I thought maybe we should have a look at it and have it as a topic.
Princess Alice's choice seems unusual. And even more so since her family had a number of grand tiaras which would have been suitable. On the other hand, perhaps a crystal headpiece might have been the height of fashion.
I haven't collected any cuttings of her bridal attire, but I do recollect many saying that she wore the string of pearls which her recenly deceased father had given her as a wedding present.
The pearls
Re: Alice Duchess of Gloucester's Bridal Head dress
Thanks Maridje. I wonder deeply if this headpiece is still with the present Gloucester Dukedom and if it is, why has it never been seen thereafter. I mean it is reported to be made of crystal but it could very well be an all diamond tiara. I wonder if anyone of our members may be able to maybe query with the present duke or duchess if the piece is yet in their possession. I mean the tiara does look like a substantial one and I am a bit baffled as to why it has never been discussed prior to now. I also wonder if the tiara came from her own buccleuch family seeing that the tiaras in that family are really outstanding and very heavy set, or did it come from the next possible contender QM?
Regards,
Dave.
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Re: Alice Duchess of Gloucester's Bridal Head dress
I suspect that, like many brides, Princee Alice may have kept her bridal wear including the head piece, which it is very clear from press reports was a costume item, not a jewelled tiara.
In contrast to many royal weddings numerous details of the bridal outfit were given to the press well ahead of time. The only thing which was kept secret was the precise design of the gown, but the colour etc was described beforehand. Many of these press reports were issued in mid October 1935.
This is one which states that the final decision had not been made about the headdress.
Immediately following the wedding the descriptions in the press leave no doubt as to the composition of the headdress.
This was published by the Scotsman on 6 November in the morning some hours before the wedding.
Some photographs of the bride in her gown and veil were taken several days before the wedding, and it is obvious that the Tatler magazine used one for an artist's sketch, published on 6 November.
The caption to the sketch gives a clear description of the headdress.
on June 11, 2019, 9:06 am
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