Alexandra of Denmark was one of the most popular and influential royal consorts in British history. She was the wife of King Edward VII, the mother of King George V, and the grandmother of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. She was also the empress of India and the queen of the British dominions. She was admired for her beauty, grace, charity, and devotion to her family. But how did she die and what were the circumstances of her death?
Early Life and Marriage
Alexandra was born on December 1, 1844, in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was the eldest daughter of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg and Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel. Her father was a minor German prince who became the king of Denmark in 1863. Her mother was a descendant of George II of Great Britain. Alexandra had five siblings, including King George I of Greece and Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia.
Alexandra was a lively and cheerful child who enjoyed music, dancing, and riding. She was also very close to her sister Dagmar, who later married Tsar Alexander III of Russia. Alexandra received a simple education at home, where she learned several languages, including English.
At the age of 16, Alexandra was chosen as the future wife of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the eldest son and heir of Queen Victoria. The couple met for the first time in 1861 and fell in love. They married on March 10, 1863, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The wedding was a grand and festive occasion that was celebrated throughout the British Empire.
Alexandra became the Princess of Wales and the most prominent woman in the country after the queen. She gave birth to six children: Prince Albert Victor, Prince George, Princess Louise, Princess Victoria, Princess Maud, and Prince Alexander John. She was a devoted mother who nursed her children through illnesses and comforted them in times of sorrow. She was also a loyal wife who supported her husband despite his many affairs and scandals.
Alexandra was very popular with the public, who admired her beauty, fashion, and charity. She was known for her elegant and distinctive style of dress, which influenced many women. She was also involved in various philanthropic causes, such as hospitals, schools, orphanages, and animal welfare. She was especially compassionate towards the sick and the wounded, especially during the Boer War and the First World War.
Queen and Empress
On January 22, 1901, Queen Victoria died and Albert Edward became King Edward VII. Alexandra became the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British dominions, and the empress consort of India. She was crowned with her husband on August 9, 1902, at Westminster Abbey. She also attended the Imperial Durbar in Delhi, India, on January 1, 1903, where she received a warm welcome from the Indian people.
As queen and empress, Alexandra continued to perform her public duties and charitable work. She also accompanied her husband on his state visits to France, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Norway, and Sweden. She was a peacemaker who tried to improve the relations between Britain and other European countries, especially her native Denmark and her sister’s Russia. She was also a patron of the arts and culture, and supported many musicians, painters, and writers.
Alexandra was very close to her children and grandchildren, and often visited them at their homes. She was especially fond of her eldest grandson, Prince Edward, who later became King Edward VIII. She was also a loving grandmother to the future Queen Elizabeth II, who was born in 1926.
Death and Legacy
Alexandra’s health began to decline in her later years. She suffered from rheumatism, deafness, and partial blindness. She also had a weak heart and a poor memory. She endured several personal losses, such as the death of her husband in 1910, the death of her son Prince Alexander John in 1871, the death of her grandson Prince John in 1919, and the death of her son Prince Albert Victor in 1892.
On November 20, 1925, Alexandra suffered a heart attack at Sandringham House, Norfolk, where she spent most of her time. She died at 5:25 pm, surrounded by her family. She was 80 years old. Her funeral was held on November 27, 1925, at Westminster Abbey, where she lay in state for three days. She was initially buried at the Albert Memorial Chapel, next to her husband, but later moved to the south aisle of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in 1927.
Alexandra of Denmark was one of the most beloved and respected royal consorts in British history. She was a symbol of elegance, grace, charity, and devotion. She left a lasting legacy in the fields of fashion, art, culture, and philanthropy. She was also the ancestor of many European monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Harald V of Norway, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, King Felipe VI of Spain, and King Constantine II of Greece. She is remembered as a queen of hearts and a mother of the nation.
