THE QUEEN DOWAGER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 3

THE QUEEN DOWAGER.

A ROYAL ROMANCE.

It seemed at first impossible to believe the news that came • through oil Saturday, announcing the fact that the King had died. It was only the other day one read that he was once more in. good health, and somehow one unconsciously grows into the way of thinking that our King and Queen will live forever, so that when the fact is forced upon us that they, too, have to meet "that Angel with the darker drink" it comes as a great shock. There were so many people • about whose great hope it was to go Home and to see. for themselves the King and Queen, and those who have been so fortunate havo been eagerly questioned as to every detail of their appearance, and what kind of , feeling they: were inspired with ; at the sight of;'.them. Those, who 'had "seen' them comparatively lately had been muoh 'struck with their look of age and frailty, particularly that of the Queen. Without doubt they were beginning to feel the burden of their yearß and of : their high degree. Indeed, it had been announced that there would be fewer court functions -this season than usual, owing to the Queen's health. Pew Sovereigns have inspired such a regard umong their subjects as the late K'ng and his Consort, Quern Alexandra. _ 411 the world loves a romance, particularly a Royal one, probably because they seem to have so few that turn out successfully or happily. The King's marriage with the Danish Pt oleosa- Alexandra was one of the few taat was smiled upon by Fortune. Probably few princesses had sac'; a veiy simple and practical upbringing as she bad. Her Royal parents had seen to it that she had been taught to cnok, to aew, to bake, to trim her own hats, and make her own dresses—all housewifely arts, even to the making of butter. The first occasion upon which the late King saw. her, su the story goes, was in a cathedral, uDd her beauty and Bweetness so captivc-ted him that he became convinced ti.at there could be no other in the world for Idm but Princess Alexandra. Ail the world knows the, sequel, their taking place three years later in St. Hi crge's Chapel, on March 10, amidst the greatest enthusiasm and rejoicings. From tho first moment that he' feet rested upon English soil she was taken into the hearts of the people, and has remained there ever since. It was then that Lord Teanysjn wrrte his fanioas "AVe;oome to Quean Alexandra": Blissful bride of a blissful &oa, Bride of the heir of the King of the sea, 0 joy to the people and joy to the throne, Come to us, love us, and make us your 1 , / i For Saxon, or Dane, or Norman we, I Teuton or Celt, or whatever we be, j We are each all Dane in our welcome of 1 theo, Alexandra! Queen Alexandra has indeed made the British people her own all over the world. Sarah Tooley wrote enthusiastically of the marriage, and of the beauty of the bride, who was then only a girl of nineteen. Clad in white 6atin and rare lace, with priceless jewels upon her, she moved so slowly up the carved 1 arches of the church that she hardly seemed to move at all, and on reaching the enclosure where Queeil Victoria sat, dressed in widow's weeds, which was surely somewhat depressing, made a deep and reverent curtsey, Her Majesty being greatly affected. The King, then Prince Albert, was a very gallantlooking bridegroom,' wearing full general's uniform, with tho Stars of the Garter and the Indian Order, and tho. ribbon'and band of 'the Golden Fleece round his necki Over his uniform ho wore tho mantle of tho Garter. • Gay, sweot-natured, and somewhat inconsequent as 'she was at that time, Frith, tho R.A. who had been commissioned to paint tho "Marriage of the Prince of Wales," despaired, until tho Prince intervened, of ever being able to paint her, so restless a sitter was she. Since then the years havo brought her many sorrows and trials, which she lias borne with courage and dignity. Iler tact, her sympathy, and her philanthropy arb well known, and her firm stand upon oertain principles has helped to make tho present Court, though less strict than that of Queen Victoria, the Court that it now is. Probably no one will over know tho amount of good she has done. Tho Queen has a photograph _ of tho King given her by his late Majesty just before thoir engagement was announced. On it he wrote, "To Alexandra, from Edward." This photograph, framed in plain silver, is one of tho things which Her Majesty always takes with her wherever she goes. A marked trait of the Queen has been her oonstant simplicity of dross, a simplicity which

has never varied, and in which she always looked the greatest lady in the land. Tho nursing profession among other tilings has always received tho greatest attontion and consideration from her, and she has done much to elevate the tone of it. The Queen never recovered from tho sorrow she felt over the death of her eldest son, the Dulce of Clarence. From that time onwards she Beemed to wrap herself in a mantle of icy aloofness, which only a few privileged people could dispel. Probably her deafness bad much to do with it as. well. Writers have dwelt upon her coldness and ■ her sweetness, while tho sadness of her face left them with a heartbreak. A very interesting thing about Queen Alexandra was that she occupied a position different to any other Queen of England. A special crown was mado for her, and in the prayer for the Royal Family the King had her name "Alexandra" specially inserted.