Princess Alexandrine of Baden

Portrait of princess Alexandrine of Baden, 1840.

Before he ascended the throne, Alexander II of Russia was sent to Baden in order to present himself as a suitor for Alexandrine's hand in marriage.[1] Alexandrine already regarded herself as his betrothed, as all the preliminary negotiations had taken place. On the journey there, however, Alexander visited the court of Hesse-Darmstadt and met Princess Marie of Hesse and eventually married her instead.[1]

At the urging of his brother Prince Albert, Hereditary Prince Ernst of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (born 1818) began to search for a suitable bride.[2] Albert believed that a wife would be good for his brother: "Chains you will have to bear in any case, and it will certainly be good for you... The heavier and tighter they are, the better for you. A married couple must be chained to one another, be inseparable, and they must live only for one another."[2] With this advice in mind (although Albert was reprimanded for presuming to counsel his elders), Ernest began searching.[2]

Around this time, Ernest was suffering from a venereal disease brought on by his many affairs; Albert consequently counseled him against marrying until he was fully recovered. He also warned that continued promiscuity could leave Ernest unable to father children. Ernest waited a few years before marrying as a result.[2]

On 13 May 1842, in Karlsruhe, Ernest married Princess Alexandrine.[3] To the consternation of his brother and sister-in-law Queen Victoria, the marriage failed to "settle down" Ernest. Alexandrine accepted all his faults cheerfully enough, however, and began a fierce devotion to Ernest that became increasingly baffling to the outside world.[3]

Alexandrine of Baden, Duchess of Saxe Coburg Gotha, 1860s

He succeeded his father, Ernst I, as Duke in 1844. The couple traveled to Windsor to visit their relations. Lady Eleanor Stanley, one of Victoria's maids-of-honour, commented to her mother:

"...the Duke is not well, they say, and he certainly looks dreadfully ill... he however shook hands with us very civilly at meeting, and seemed in great spirits at being with his brother. The Duchess [Alexandrine] told Lady Duoro she had been at Ems in hopes of producing a son and heir, but it had no effect as yet; we were rather amused at her saying it so simply, but she seems a very nice person and very pretty."[3]

The couple's relationship at this stage was "as unclouded as it would ever be", in the words of historian Charlotte Zeepvat.[3] While touring some farms in Windsor, Alexandrine caught a cold; they left soon after. Lady Eleanor commented again that "[Alexandrine] was very sweet at parting, and kissed us all round; she looked very delicate, as white as a sheet, and more fit to be in her bed than undertaking a long journey. The parting of the Royalty was not so sorrowful as I expected; plenty of kissing, but no tears".[3] Victoria was sorry to see them leave, as she loved Ernest loyally for Albert's sake, and had come to see Alexandrine as a sister.[3]

Victoria chose Ernest to be the godfather of her second daughter Princess Alice, and he was consequently expected in England in April 1859 for her confirmation.[4] Though Victoria was eager to see his wife again, and though plans had been arranged the previous year for her to visit, Ernest chose to not bring her along. It was clear that as the chances of producing children had faded, Ernest was taking less and less interest in his wife.[4] The marriage proved to be childless. Though it was most likely that the fault lay with Ernest (due to the venereal disease he contracted before his marriage), Alexandrine seems to have accepted without question that their childlessness was her fault.[3]

Duchess Alexandrine in 1842, by Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

Before and during their marriage, Ernest carried on countless affairs. Alexandrine remained a loyal wife, however, and chose to ignore those relationships of which she was aware. At one point, Ernest had two mistresses, and was living with them and Alexandrine "in an improbable ménage which made the couple a laughing-stock to all but their family".[5] Although she loved Alexandrine, Victoria was appalled by her willingness to accept his affairs:

"Uncle E.'s conduct is perfectly monstrous and I must blame Aunt very much. They have not written to me yet - but when they do I shall have to write very strongly."[5]