Prince and Princess Christian's Silver wedding gifts were displayed at Cumberland Lodge in the billiard room on Wednesday, July 1. Among the many gifts was an important diamond and pearl necklet presented in a casket lined in electric blue fabric. It was accompanied by an illuminated album bound in white silk ornamented with the Royal monogram and crown of the Prince and Princess embossed in silver. The title page had the following inscription:
"The jewel contained in this case was given to Her Royal Highness Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland, on her Silver Wedding day, July 5th 1891,by those members of Her Majesty's household and other friends, whose names are inscribed in this book, the presentation being made by the committee and great officers of State."
There were about 312 subscribers and included the Mistress of the Robes (the Duchess of Buccleuch) and the Master of the Horse (the Duke of Portland).
This necklace was privately presented to Princess Christian as the subscribers wished her to wear it at her daughter, Princess Louise's (Marie Louise's) wedding.
The delegation visited Buckingham Palace on 26 June to present the diamond and pearl tiara. The ladies were introduced by the Countess of Arran. (Morning Post, 27 June 1891)
Purchased from Messrs Carrington of Regent Street. It was on display from the 22 June to 25 June 1891 to contributors. (Morning Post, 22 June 1891) Countess of Arran presented the gift on behalf of the Ladies of England. (Morning Post, 26 June 1891)
Sources: Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper; London Evening Standard
The Princess wrote in her book My Memories of Six Reigns that she first met her future husband when she and her family went to Berlin to attend the wedding of her cousin, Princess Victoria of Prussia to Prince Adolph of Schaumberg-Lippe. She was most impressed by Aribert, whom she described as being "very tall, and good-looking, and a very striking personality, and I suppose, to a young girl of eighteen, he was the beau idéal of a cavalry officer. I have no hesitation in saying that I fell completely under his charm--in other words, I fell in love. He paid me a great deal of attention which both flattered and bewildered me."
During the Schleswig-Holsteins' stay in Berlin, Prince Ferdinand of Rumania paid a semi-state visit to Emperor Wilhelm II with the express purpose of meeting Princess Marie Louise in order to propose to her. Completely under the charm of Prince Aribert, not even the prospect of becoming a Queen could convince the Princess to consent. Shortly thereafter, Prince Ferdinand did find a suitable bride in the person of Princess Marie of Edinburgh, Marie Louise's first cousin.
The Emperor took a great deal of interest in the Princess's romance and, in her words," it was a case of "leave it me and I will see to it"--and so he did." The Princess became engaged to the Prince on December 6, 1890 at a family lunch at Neues Palais, Potsdam.
The Emperor and Empress of Germany, while on a state visit to Britain, attended the wedding of Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. The Empress wore a pale green gown, the Order of the Eagle, a diamond necklace and a tiara with huge emeralds to the ceremony.
Sources: Marie Louise, My Memories of Six Reigns;
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