THE WEDDING OF PRINCESS HELENA WITH PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN [HELENA (Augusta Victoria, 1846-1923, wife of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess, 3rd Daughter of Queen Victoria, founder of the Princess Christian Nursing Home)]

Charming hymnsheet giving the words of Psalm LXVII and the Chorale "Composed expressly for the occasion" by W. G. Cusins, with a marvellous embossed crest in red, blue and gold at the head and the bride and grooms monograms in gilt on both pages, the cover decorated with lacy flowers on the border, Windsor Castle, 5th July slight wear

Queen Victoria visited Coburg in August 1865 and whilst there approved a matrimonial project affecting her third and eldest unmarried daughter, Helena, who had of late years been her constant companion. Largely at the instance of Duke Ernest, the princess was betrothed to Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, the younger brother of that Duke Frederick whose claim to the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein had been pressed by the smaller German states on Denmark and on the Prussian-Austrian alliance with disastrous results. After the recent Schleswig-Holstein war Bismarck had deprived Duke Frederick and his family of their property and standing, and the claimant's younger brother, Prince Christian, who had previously been an officer in the Prussian army, had been compelled to retire. The Queen however, helped them out of their financial difficulties.

Item Date:  1866

Stock No:  34931      £275

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