Alix's letter to Ernst, written jointly with Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, dated September 8/20, 1885

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

My darling Ernie
Alix: Thousand thanks for your sweet letter. I was very glad to hear that you had shot 9 stags and a Roebuck. Dear Papa left yesterday afternoon, & I miss him very much. — This morning we four girls went with Uncle Arthur, Aunt Louischen, M. H. J. & H. v. Westerweller to Langen Church. In the morning the Egelsbacher Gesangverein sung, it was better than last time. —

Marie Louise: The weather is not very fine and so we shall go into Darmstadt on Wednesday the 23rd. We are writing each a sheet quite alone as it is Miss M. H. Jackson's birthday. We 3 presented her with a bouquet of roses & poisonous berries which she will wear this evening. Irène & Alix, A. Louischen & Uncle A. gave her each a present. Uncle his photo. Aunt a bracelet like Missy's silver one. Irène & Alix gave her gold beads and a tray for pins. We have been playing cricket a great deal with a tennis raquets & a soft ball. It is great fun & very exciting & hot work. We play in front of the large house, in the sand. We sometimes take walks with Indigo & the dogs, occasionaly the sheep have their turns, wh. is not the most amusing nor the best smell. They are very obstinate & nearly pull you into the ditch, & run between one's legs.

We have singing evenings, wh. are very amusing. All send much love & your beloved Axeli sends many kisses. Please give dear Grdmama my best love & also to Aunty & Liko. Pardon my scrawl, but I am in a great hurry as we are going for a walk & I have to change my dress. Abby wrote that he had hurt his leg again, & so could not do lessons. We expect a letter in return and as there is nothing more to tell you we remain your affectionate cousin Louise
Alix: & loving little Sister Alix.
1885

[P. S.] Do not let any one see this.

Above: Alix and Marie Louise.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 1885

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

My dearest Ernie,
When we arrived yesterday, Miss Jackson was there. She had Tea with us & then drove with us three Girls. We went to a Bookshop, I bought an amusing little story book about fairies, then we went to a Silvershop & to an other, where we bought some Photos of pretty people for Ella, Irène bought a frame for 4 Photos in leather, for herself. When we came home we dressed for the Theatre, Sisters wore long, black square drapes and I the wight one I wore at Victoria's Wedding. At 7 we had Dinner & then drove of. O. L. v. Wernher feched M. H. J. I thought the peace most amusing. We sat in the same Box as with Uncle Leo. The stuffs of the dresses were so pretty & the Singing and mouvements so funny, I must say I enjoyed myself very much. Miss Jackson also thought it charming. She was so sorry not to have seen you. —

We live in the rooms in wh. you had the hooping cough. We each had a room for ourselves & the bed was so large that I thought I would loose myself in it. — I am sending you three frames, of wh. I give you two & Irène one. We thought you would like them for the Photos of the 3 Wales Cousins. This morning we 2 went out shopping with M. H. J. & then went to the exebition with Papa, Victoria & O. L. v. Wernher. I thought old London very pretty, I must say. We miss you, Darling Ernie, so much, how nice if you had only been here. Baby is well & merry. This afternoon we are going to Aunt Cambridge.

Please give my best love to all. Now I must stop. I remain with many hearty kisses Ever your loving little Sister Alix.

[P. S.] Please do not let anyone see this.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 28, 1885

Source:

The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010

The letter:

Wolfsgarten, 28 August 1885
Dearest Ernie,
Cousins arrived here yesterday & live in the Gentlemen's House. We played Lawn Tennis this morning, wh. was great fun. Ella writes that she will send us some new (small) Photos soon & a larger one for Papa. It is raining fast so I think we shall have to content ourselves with a game in the big House. Pray do not think I am playing all day. I work as usual, only being with Cousins in play time. Miss Jackson sends you her love & misses you very much as we all do. Baby is flourishing & more contented her than at the Scloss wh. was strange to the little dear.

Abbey is to go out shooting to-morrow, whilst we are at Darmstadt. Please give Herr Muther messages.

The fox has run away, wh. I think rather a pity, but the monkeys are here, & quite well!

I am afraid I shall have to stop. With much love from all I am your loving little Sister Alix.

[P. S.] The other day Papa shot 2 stags, one with 10 & the other with 8 points, I think it was near Kranichstein.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

The Royal Bridesmaids, year 1885

Source:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1885-Antique-Print-ROYAL-WEDDING-Bridesmaids-Princess-Irene-Alix-Hesse-198/383559283396?hash=item594dea32c4:g:AOUAAOSw8e5a81cY