Gods and Foolish Grandeur: Radiant consort - a selection of Queen Alexandra's spangled gowns

Alexandra of Denmark waited thirty-eight years as Princess of Wales before reaching the pinnacle of her royal and imperial career as queen and empress consort to Edward VII. The victim of her husband's fairly flagrant infidelity and her own ever worsening hearing loss, she had sought solace with her children and extended family, as well as with frequent travel, social engagements, and through her popularity with the public. Known for her beauty and elegant figure, she was also a much-copied influence on fashion in the second half of the nineteenth century. There was certainly nothing timid, though, about her evening and gala toilettes. Her beautifully detailed gowns - usually the work of Parisian fashion houses - were typically burdened by copious jewels, both real and, when she considered the array insufficient, imitation; it was said that she was able, as no other woman, to carry off such excessive display, somehow never appearing overdone or vulgar. She was queen for a very brief nine years, Edward VII dying in May of 1910. Queen Alexandra's gowns shown here are from her time as consort, and show her preference for rich ornamentation, particularly, at that time, intricate beading and a lavish display of sequins and paillettes.