Royal style: tours, rings and gowns galore, how could we possibly ask for more?

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Previous thread

Link to a brief text about the painting www.kongeligeslotte.dk/en/palaces-and-gardens/fredensborg-palace-and-palace-gardens/explore-fredensborg-palace/The-father-in-law-of-europe-gathers-the-whole-family-at-fredensborg-palace.html

Yes it’s a painting! A bit different to snapping a million pics on your mobile phone at a family get together!

It was commissioned by the Princess of Wales (Alexandra).

www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/russia-royalty-the-romanovs/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace/the-family-of-king-christian-ix-and-queen-louise-of-denmark

And if you click the link I had meant to include (below) you will see it in all its sumptuous glory - Louise’s dress is such a beautiful deep red... 😍😍

Princess Thyra behind Louise, with her daughter Princess Olga. Next to her husband, the Crown Prince of Hanover.

The women look awfully glum!

It wasn’t the done thing to smile for photographs and portraits in those days, I don’t think.

I don’t think it was a matter of “the done thing”. I think the exposures were so long that you couldnn’t hold a smile.

Victoria & Albert were first cousins.
So with all the marriages within the extended families it's not surprising that there are resemblances.
The following article show how Queen Victoria's descendants reign over Europe
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/amp26193545/queen-victoria-descendants-on-the-throne/

Princess Thyra is the link from Christian IX to Prince Phillip.

Oh my goodness I get such a headache when I start trying to keep track of all this!

Prince Phillip’s sister Louise married the King of Sweden, Gustav VI Adolf, who was the widower of Louise’s mother’s cousin. She had a stillborn daughter, her only child - sorry if it upsets anyone, but it felt important to mention it.

I think George of Greece is also a link to the DoE @Ninkaninus. And then of course he's also descended from QV. He and HM must be related in about 3 different ways!

King Nikola of Montenegro was also known as the father-in-law of Europe. Five of his daughters married princes or kings. I've visited his palace in Cetinje, Montenegro. It's about the size of a rectory.

Yes @QueenOfTheAndals I imagine there will be a link there too.

I’m actually have to have a coffee now to be able to keep up with it all...

@BertrandRussell Yes that will definitely be a contributing factor to perceived conventions of the day, but I’m sure a lot of it will also be due to the Victorian attitudes about solemnity/stateliness.

@Myimaginarycathasfleas That’s really interesting! And it’s given me a whole new family tree to read about. Actually there’s quite a few still to discover!

I love Victoria's hiking project. Imagine if William and Kate did a beautiful country walk in every county.

Love all the historical background which pops up periodically on these threads!
I feel a little mini break to Denmark coming on to explore a bit further!

It’s well worth it, @CurlyWurlyTwirly! I mean obviously I’m biased but it’s a great place to visit. Fredensborg is a lovely little town with a beautiful palace and a lovely walk down to the lake, and there’s another great castle in Hillerød which isn’t far, plus you have lots of interesting things to see and do in Copenhagen.

@ninkaninus

I’ve been to Copenhagen, and would happily go again.
I’d like to explore more of the history and see the countryside.
As an aside; is it true that Denmark is very flat?

Yes, it’s true, it’s very flat. Very good for cycling! The highest natural point is 561’

Fredensborg in North Zealand is really lovely (but again, I’m biased, it’s where my grandparents lived and was my mum’s family home and I love the place, love going ‘home’). You could stay somewhere nearby (Helsingør, for example, then you could take the ferry over to Helsingborg in Sweden, too), and explore the region!

I was in Copenhagen about 10 years but it was the Easter long weekend and almost everything was shut! I took the train to Malmo for an afternoon too. Malmo isn't the most exciting of towns but crossing the Oresund is quite spectacular.

Thanks for the tips. I really don’t know Scandinavia, looking forward to visiting!

QueenoftheAndals
I agree with you that the William has a look of the the young King Harald of Norway.
It struck me immediately on seeing the photograph.

nink and bani
Thanks for the links to that painting. Fascinating glimpse into long ago lives.
I also thought that the ladies looked so glum. But, as someone else said, it was probably the "done thing" to be solemn/stately.

I looked and wondered at the dresses. How long it must have taken to get dressed in the morning. How confining- no running for a bus in that get-up.
And (not wishing to lower the tone, but genuinely head-scratching) - how do you pop to the loo when your day dress has a 3-foot train? Wouldn't you need a maid just for that?

I aim to please

Getting dressed in a bustle gown!

@DuchessDumbarton Yes, you most likely did use a maid for going to the loo.

Lady in waiting, perhaps?

(I don’t think that was actually part of their remit - heavens forbid! - but probably a lowly servant girl? I don’t know, can’t say I’ve ever looked into it...

But yes, there was a reason why wealthy ladies had someone to help them dress - you couldn’t do it on your own!

Fgs I have got into a terrible habit of dropping parentheses!! I don’t think I have time to finish one thought before I have another one...