The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-10

This is day of sad and glad mem ories for Queen Alexandra, widow of King Edward VII, for it marks the seni-centennia1, the golden anniVer- sary, of her wedding. It was on Mar 10, 1863, that the Danish princess. then in her nineteenth year, became the bride of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales The ceremony in London was performed by the Archbishop of Cam terbury, and was marked by brilliant pomp and display, and great popular rejoicing. In a little, while the Prin- cess had gained such place in the affections of the British people that it was said that she had as many squires as there were men in the en1- pire, and as many admirers there were women.
 It is customary to refer to a prin- cess as charming and beautiful, but in the case of Alexandra the state ment had the added merit of being true. The girlhood of the future queen of the worlds greatest empire was passed in rather straitened cir cumstances for one of her rank Her father was not called to the throne of Denmark, as Christian K, until some months following her marriage. Spartan simplicity marked the educa- ton and early training of Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louisa Julia ito give her names in full-as it did that of her numerous brothers and sisters Sn0 WAS Ird4D0d HI OO- mestic arts, and often made her own clothes.
 The Prince of Wales was the only suitor Alexandra had. They first met in Germany, in the old church at Worms, according to one account, and the Prince was immediately infatuat- ed by the beauty of the Danish prin- cess It is said that Queen Victoria had already commenced negotiations for the hand of a German princess for the heir to a throne, but dropped the plans when she met Alexandra and readily consented to the match.
 This year is the semi-centenary Of many other important events in the history Of the Danish royal house. A few months after her marriage, Alex andra's brother was elected King of Greece and still reigns over that country Frederick Ferdinand, uncle of Frederick VII. and heir to the throne, died on June 29, 1863, and the King died in November Of the same year, the crown passing to Alexan- dra's father, Christian Tx. The Dan ish annexation of Schleswig, pro- claimed fifty years ago this month, had angered the Pruss1anS, and war was threatened when Christian as- cended the throne. The struggle be- gan the following year, and resulted in the defeat of the Danes. By the terms Of the treaty of peace, Den
 
 claims to SchIeswig and Holstein, to pay large sum to defray the ex- renses Of the war, and to agree to a rectification of the Danish frontier. During this conflict the sympathies of England were all with Denma rk, largely owing to the love of the peo- pie for Alexandra, and large sums were collected in London for the aid of wounded Danes.
 The silver wedding anniversary of Edward and Alexandra, celebrated 8, quarter of a century ago today, was made the occasion for a national dem Dnstration of love and devotion to the couple. Royal relations came by scores to give brilliance to the affair, but it the popular enthusiasm, ma infested in many ways, that made the celebration memorable. At the coronation of Edward the applause was fully as much for Alexandra as for the king. As dowager queen Alex andra has retained her popularity.