Iconic Facts About Alexandra Of Denmark, The Long-Suffering Queen
Alexandra of Denmark was a rags-to-riches royal and the unlikeliest fashion icon of all time. Through bizarre circumstances, the Danish-born Queen consort of the United Kingdom even caused a limping pandemic in London!
But as her fortunes—and outfits—changed, her life became one marred by tragedy after tragedy…after tragedy.
Dive into these trendy and tragic facts to find out how Alexandra of Denmark went from sleeping in a dusty old attic to living it up in a palace.
1. She Was Broke
Alexandra of Denmark, or Alix as her family called her, was born in 1844 in Denmark. In her early years, Alexandra and her five siblings weren’t on anyone’s radar.
They were only a small and insignificant cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg, the royal house in Denmark. She lived the first 18 years of her life in near-total obscurity.
Her family was comfortable, but they weren't exactly living it up—though all of that would change before long.
2. She Had A Dope Crib
They say that the best things in life are free. While I haven’t personally gotten any of life’s luxuries free of charge—Caribbean cruise, anyone?—Alexandra definitely did. The penniless princess still lived a pretty charmed childhood.
Alexandra grew up with her siblings in Copenhagen’s famed Yellow Palace, rent-free. And, to sweeten the deal, the palace came with some serious perks.
3. She Slept Soundly
Alexandra’s childhood was short on luxuries—free palaces notwithstanding—but she still enjoyed the best things in life. Even her bedtime stories were epic. The famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen used to come to the palace to personally read his stories to Alexandra and her siblings. This is the same guy who wrote The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and Thumbelina. Doesn't get much better than that!
4. She Had To Bunk Up
Despite enjoying some creature comforts, Alexandra couldn’t escape the reality of her impoverished family.
Having a world-famous writer as a bedtime storyteller might have been more of a necessity than a luxury—she wasn’t sleeping on a bed of roses. Alexandra’s bedroom was a draughty old attic that she shared with her sister, Dagmar.
And, to make matters worse, she suffered other indignities no princess ever should.
