Alix's letter to Queen Victoria, year 1887

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, page 17, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

... We felt so sad to leave you and dear Aunty and we shall never forget our long and pleasant stay with you and all your great kindness.

It seems so strange to find ourselves here without Papa and miss you both very much. Victoria is here till tomorrow and is looking well.

We have been busy unpacking some of our pretty photos and nice remembrances of the Jubilee year.

I hope you enjoyed your drive with the [illegible] after we left.

We think of you very often and all the happy days we spent together and will always look back with gratitude to your tender care of us.
I am Dearest Grandmama
Your loving and thankful child
Alix

Above: Alix.

Above: Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria's letter to Alix's sister Victoria, dated February 2, 1887

Source:

Advice to my grand-daughter: Letters from Queen Victoria to Princess Victoria of Hesse, edited by Richard Hough, 1975

https://www.facebook.com/groups/princealbertandqueenvictoria/posts/1726222214240250/

The letter:

Osborne Feb 2 1887

Darling Victoria

It is impossible for me to tell you what a shock your letter gave me! Indeed I felt quite ill — for I am so deeply hurt at Irene's conduct towards me which is neither kind grateful or straightforward. I spoke to her on the subject not long before she left, and she said "I don't say it is never to be, only don't bind yourself before he goes away on a long voyage — but say you cannot as yet give a promise." And she assured me again and again that she would never do that! How can I trust her again after such conduct? Loving her as I do, treating her and you all as my own children and having to a great extent acting a mother's part to you all and been so very intimate with her, this want of openness has hurt me deeply. The least she could have done would be to telegraph at once to me: 'Henry is coming after all'. But to learn it from the papers first is too much........ It reminds me of Ella's and Serge's marriage (which I grieve over as much as ever) and that you were made to announce it to me as (I suspect) no one else liked to do it, just as she had declared she would not accept him!! ........ It is too bad to act in that way. I dare hardly hope for better things for lovely Alicky tho' I still have lingering hopes left there!

Above: Alix.

Above: Queen Victoria.

Above: Victoria.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 31/September 12, 1887

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,
you must not mind my writing to you on blackedged paper, but as I brought it from the place where we were to-day, I thought it would amuse you. I shall try and cut off the edges. — There — I have just cut the edge off, & discover that the sheet is halved, but I am sure you will not mind. — I shall tell you now of whom the party consisted. 1. The Empress 2. Aunt Beatrice 3. Liko 4. Irène 5. Mme. de Arcos, 6. Myself. — We left at 12.15, & arrived shortly before two. There were different little showers on the way there. But after Luncheon it poured so, that we could only go out after 4.

We found a little drawing of Papa's in one of the Rooms. He had done it the last time he was there.

At 5 we had tea, & at half past we drove off again. The Empress & Auntie in the Victoria, & Liko drove us three in the Prager-Wagen with four horses. — We returned by the Lin of Mick, & Braemar.

Dropped the Empress & Lady at Abergeldie where I got into Aunty's carriage. Basco also went poor dog; was stung by a wasp on his Schwanz at the Glassalt. —

That is how we have spent darling Papa's Birth Day. How I long we had been alltogether. — I do not dine to-night as did last night. —

When we have family Dinner we usually play afterwards to Grandmama while she plats her straw.

This is the last letter you will get from here [Balmoral], as we leave Thursday afternoon. Bäuerlein takes us as far as Edinburgh & from there, Miss Jackson. — The whole of Friday, & the night we stay at London & on Saturday morning we cross so that on Sunday morning we shall be at Darmstadt. — I am sorry you will not be there. —

I hope the Manoevres are not too tiring. I am sure that you amuse yourself very well.

This evening saw snow on Lake Nagor. It is cold here in the evening. I enclose a bit of heather from the Glassalt.

Which are the officers you have with you? I am sure of P. B. is with you, it must be delightful for you both. —

Irène sends very much love & thanks many times for your dear letter & was very glad you had arranged such nice games for the soldiers.

I hope all are well and that the rain has brought on no illnesses.

But now, my own darling Erny, I must say Goodbye. With every tender kisses & love I am ever yr most truely & devoted little sister & friend Alix.

[P. S.] If you see Papa, give him my most hearty love, also to Victoria.

Also messages to Sandro.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Note: Schwanz = tail

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 25/September 6, 1887

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,
I hope you were not angry with me for not having written by the last messenger, but I had been writing other letters, and so was rather faul. So I must now thank you for the dear letter you wrote me. — Excuse that this letter begins on the wrong side, but I only discovered it when I had already begun. — I shall not mention anything in this letter about what you told me, as someone might see it, and that would not do. I feel very much for them, poor Creatures. —

I hope you have finer weather than here, for here it pours every day. Liko showed us the other day, one of the German Newspapers, so that we could see how you were marching. How just like you, taking the basket of that poor woman, — I am sure God will reward you, if you go on doing such kind things. — What horse are you riding?, as the newspapers speak about your riding? — Irène has already ridden twice, since she is here, and I have driven myself twice.

Where is your Hauptquartir going to be? Ach! how stupid I am to ask you these questions, as you will of course have no time to answer them. We are going to drive this morning with Grandmama to the Simons, to buy Bonbons for Papa's Birth Day. — If we have time, I shall get you some also. —

The three little Connaughts arrived here on Saturday. Patsy is still looking very pale, as her teeth give her some much trouble. Luckily the eyeteeth have come threw. — Daisy and Arthur lunch with us, and the latter is always chattering, and telling such trash. Yesterday he always spoke about a daddy longlegs. How he stuffed bread into it, and that he put it on the dogs back, and that when the dog turned round, its back always ran round; rather peculiar. He is really too ridiculous.

But now, I must say Goodbye, as we shall be soon driving off; with many kisses, I remain darling Ernie, Ever your most loing and truely devoted little Sister & Friend Alix.

P. S. Is P. B. with you?

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: faul = lazy

Hauptquartir (Hauptquartier) = headquarters

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 11/23, 1887

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,
We have just returned from a delightful expedition. We two, Vicky, Sophie, Mossy, Mlle de Perpignon, Ethel Cadogan & two Officers of the Victoria & Albert went on the Helena. We had Consequences, & then tea & shrimps cake &c. One of the Officers buttered & cut the bread, & Mademoiselle poured out the tea. We were very merry. Irène & one Officer, as well as Mossy, stuffed themselves with shrimps &c, & then some sketched.

Then the three Cousins, one Officer & Maudy went in one boat, & we four in an other, horrid little thing. Of course they got on much faster, having 4 oars & we only three, & besides Irène & Ethel were not very skilful & we had nothing for stearing; I tried to with a logg of wood, but it did not succeed, & we remained far behind. So we let ourselves be towed by the steam launch, only my feet got so horribly wet, that we got in the steam launch, & went close to the Victoria & Albert, where we waited till the others came. We just were going on board, when began a discussion, if we should go, or not, and it ended in our getting into the steamlaunch again, & towing the others. Near the shore, we got in their boat & went as far as possible in the sand, but could not get very far, so in to the water jumped the two Officers, with their lovely creamish white trousers, & carried some on crossed hands across, & 2 sailors came up, from the other boat & carried also some, but not very comfortably, as one nearly fell slipping, but they said one was safe. —

But now Adio, with hearty kiss, Ever yr own loving Sister Alix.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Note: Adio = goodbye

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 8/20, 1887

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,
I am quickly going to begin this letter, before going to Breakfast wh. we are to have indoors to-day (for the second time since we are here) as it is raining, & also rather grey & foggy. —

I got a letter from Victoria to-day saying that they have at last got rain. — I hear from her that your first Aufgabe went off nicely the other day & you had to write a report. How difficult it must have been. — I am too disappointed to think that we shall not be home for the Manoevres! What fun it would have been to live once more at Romrod and to see you flying & marching all over the place. —

I only hope, that it will not tire you very much, as I hear you are growing again rather thin, poor boy. —

I feel much better in my head, since I am in England and have luckily very few headaches unberufen. — Yesterday I had a nervous one but I bore it patiently, as I was so thankful for not having it oftener.

I only did not drive with Grandmama. — I have just returned from breakfast and the sun is shining brightly, so that we shall go soon for a turn with Grdmama, so I shall have to end. With a hearty kiss for you & dear Papa, I remain, My darling old Ernie, Ever your most loving & truely devoted little Sister Alix.

[P. S.] I shall write as soon as possible again.

We have been making different sketches here, & it is most amusing, although they are not always very beatiful.

We leave Wednesday afternoon, it will be very sad to have to say goodbye to the dear cousins & the Yacht.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: Aufgabe = assignment

unberufen = knock on wood

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 4/16, 1887

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:

Darling Ernie!
You must not mind a pencil note, but I cannot write in ink, as my Haar is being done. — I am sure you will think that I have quite forgotten you, for not having written so long, but I have not had much time; often I began a letter, but never managed to finish it, as I was forgetful, & sometimes thought I had sent them.

I hear that Licko has already arrived, and I am quite incusitive to see him so as to hear how you are all looking. —

I hope you have not got over much to do now, so as to be able to rest before the Manoevres begin. I am so angry to think that we shall not be back for them, as they were always such fun, — & this time especially as they are your first you have to go with. Do take care that you do not catch a cold then, like so many poor Officers did, & had to stay in bed. — Has Tebe returned from A. yet? & has Pebe told you anymore about them & what does the latter think? I hope and trust that all may come right one day; — poor things. —

We leave here on the 24th & with very sad hearts, as we have to part from the dear Prussian Cousins & the Yacht on which we have spent some happy hours. —

Uncle Arthur, Aunt Marie & the Cousins left yesterday, & Aunt Louise leaves to-morrow. —

It will be very lonely then, and also as we shall no more be able to go on the Victoria & Albert as she leaves Thursday for taking Aunt Helen[a] to Rotterdam. She returns the 23rd, so we hope to have a little fun then as it will be our last evening here.

Now, my own darling Ernie, Goodbye & God bless you. With a hearty kiss, I remain your most loving & devoted little sister Alix.

P. S. I hope you see dear Papa when you have time, so as not to let him feel lonely.

How is the Lawn Tennis getting on? Do they play more now?

I hope that Lord is flouring & the other dogs. —

To-day it looks like Regen, but it really seems as if it never would, not a drop has fallen since our last drive we had with Papa.

Baby Drino has been very merry all this time & laughed whenever he saw me but now his teeth seem to bother him very much. How is ours?

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: Haar = hair.

A. = Auerbach, a village on the Bergstrasse, to the south of Darmstadt.

Regen = Rain.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 29/August 10, 1887

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,
We have just been saying goodbye to all the Wales', dear Georgy for two years, & dear Louis for a long time. — Ach! These Abschiedstränen are such bad things!

To-night Mossy dines with me, I am going to fetch her. —

You must not mind if this letter is not long, but I have not much time as Miss Jackson wants me for lessons. — But a note is better than no letter, I think.

To-day it is a slight bit cooler. — Aunt Louise & Uncle Lorne leave on the 18th, A. Helen[a] on Friday from here, and A. Marie also very soon, so that really it will be very sad & only [lonely].

How is the affair getting on, between Tebe and Pb?

I enclose a few flowers from here. —

Goodbye, With many kisses, I remain Ever your most loving & truly devoted little Sister Sunny.

P. S. I have sent the Forgetmenot Books to you. Choose one, and send the other to Victoria from me. — Louis sent love. — Irène sends you many messages, but has no time to write.

Above: Alix and Ernst with family.

Note: Abschiedstränen = tears of separation.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 6/18, 1887

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,
This will be the last letter you will get from here [Windsor Castle], as we are leaving to-morrow for Osborne. I am very happy to go again to Osborne, although sorry to leave this nice place. The Wales Family only go on Friday, I think. —

You will be glad to hear that Uncle Fritz's voice is rapidly progressing, and soon I believe he will have quite regained it — but I am afraid he will always be rather hoarse, like Sophie. —

How is Lawn Tennis getting on, or do they not play much now? Have you seen dear Toni yet? When you do, please give her my very best love. —

Yesterday afternoon, Papa, Irène, Aunt Beatrice, Liko and myself drove to Clifton (it belongs to the Duke of Westminster), and had tea. Only Children, and one of the Duke's sons were living there. — It is an hours distance from here. A most lovely place, and one has such a pretty view on the Thames. I wish you had been with us. Grandmama, Aunt Beatrice & Mama lived there once, in 66 I think. —

I dined last night at Grandmama's Dinner, Lord Salisbury was there, the Dean of Windsor etc. There was also one Lady, who was at Grandmama's Corronation, & who remembers having danced in the same room, as you all did the other night. —

I have played Lawn Tennis already twice, once with Irène & Liko, & once with Liko, Herr Muther and Miss Paget. It was very nice. — It is still very warm, & reins only a little, sometimes. —

How is Sandro feeling & looking now, do you think the cure did him any good. — When he was there he saw Pss Frederica's mother & sister Mary, they were quite enchanted with him, Lily toled me. — She was so sorry you had left. She remembers still the nonsence you & she did at Balmoral quite well. — Now, darling Boy, adio, Ever your loving little Alicky.

[P. S.] Is it not very dull for you all alone at the Schloss?

When you see Victoria & Louise give them my best love. —

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: adio = goodbye

Schloss = castle

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated March 15/27, 1887

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 old Ernie,
I am looking forward with delight, to see you again, as it is very dull. — I have already different times popped into your room to fetch the costume Photos, as you allowed me to. I have but the 2nd Photo of Toni in your drawer with the other. The Spanish large group is done, & on the whole is good. It is too large to send, as it is in a frame with glass. — Madge sends her love to Joseph & Ante-Adam.

I hope you feel fresher now, & that the change will have done you good. Herr Lord is very well & always in the house. —

We have horrid Regen, & so cannot go out. We have just come home from Pfr. Sell, it was a very long, but nice sermon. Much love to the dear Cousins. — You must not mind such a short letter, but I have not very much time, as I want to write to dear Papa just a line or two; & if possible to Ella.

Now I must end this short epistle. With many kisses, I remain, Ever your loving little Sunny.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Note: Regen = rain.

Group portrait of Alix with siblings and brothers-in-law painted by Lauritz Tuxen, year 1887

Source:

adini-nikolaevna on Tumblr

https://adini-nikolaevna.tumblr.com/post/180041744965/grand-duke-ernst-ludwig-of-hesse-and-by-rhine-with

My colourisation of Alix, year 1887

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 22 to 24, 1887

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/186278614030/princess-alix-alicky-of-hesse-and-by-rhine

Alix wrote this letter to her brother Ernst from July 22 to 24, 1887.

The letter:

My darling old Ernie,
I am just going to begin my letter to you to-day, and will finish it on Sunday, and discribe to you about the Review, which I think will be most interesting. — To-night at 12, Uncle Bertie and Family arrived at Portsmouth. On Sunday, Charlott's Birth Day, they leave again, as the King, Tino & Charly leave on Monday. Tino, I think, goes to Russia. —

Many hearty thanks for your dear letter, & for having sent darling Tebe's. Do always give her my love, when you see her. I shall send her a letter another time. We have lovely warm weather, in the sun rather too hot. — The three Prussian Cousins came to us this morning, and are enjoying themselves very much. They bathe & swim, & play Lawn Tennis very often.

Saturday
It has all gone off beautifully. I do so much wish you had been here, it was really a wonderful sight, something never to be forgotten. I am enclosing the names of the ships, as I thought it would interest you. All the Cousins send you their very best love and many messages. — You must not mind if I do not tell you the details, but it is not easy. We started at 3, and returned at midnight, when it was rather cold. — We were such a quantity. —

The Admirals & Officers were presented to Grandmama, and then it was when all the Wales Family, the 2 Greeks & U. George came. Grandmama left the ship at 8, & then we dined. A. Louise, A. Beatrice, Missy, Ducky & Sandra went with Grdmama. We stayed for the fireworks, wh. were quite magnificent. — We were on the Victoria & Albert, but for the fireworks we went on the Alberta, & returned in boats to Trinity Pear. —

Sunday
Charlie's Birthday. — After Service, Papa, Irene, U. Arthur, U. Christian and myself went to the Osborne, to congratulate Charlotte. All the Cousins were up. We stayed there about an hour. Tino was most mischivous, & teasing Maudy. — After Luncheon they all came to see Grdmama. Then we (Papa, Irene, U. Christ. & I) went to Norris Castle to see Uncle & Aunt. But now, darling, Goodbye. Ever your loving, ever devoted Alicky.

[P. S.] Hearty thanks for your letter & enclosing Ellas. — Have you seen Pb or Tebe yet? I send this by Liko. —

Above: Alix.

Above: Alix and Ernst with their sisters, brother-in-law and father.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 26, 1887

Alix wrote this letter to her brother Ernst on July 26, 1887.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/186560127925/crop-of-princess-alix-of-hesse-1887-and-alixs

The letter:

My own darling Ernie,
I am going to send you this note again through a Relations, as I am going to give it to dear Papa to take. You cannot think how unhappy I am that he is going to leave, although I am pleased for you. — What an awful pity that we shall not be home for darling Papa's (50th) B. D. as it will be Irène's last, before she marries. — But I am sure you will make it cheerful for him, as you are such a dear darling old fellow, — who is reddy to do anything to give an other a pleasure, & to make him happy. —

I hope Liko gave you my note. I am sure it must be much nicer for you now to do night excursions, is it not? Yesterday I stayed up for supper, that is to say dinner, as it was A. Louischen's & A. Cambridges B. D. The three Prussian Cousins & Uncle also came. Aunt could not, as she was at London. Eulalie, Antoine, A. Marie & U. Lorne dined too.

To-day Eulalie and husband left. — To-morrow we shall take Papa to Portsmouth, & U. Arthur. The Prussian Cousins send you their very best love. — This afternoon, when Papa, Irène & I were driving with Grandmama, it poured fearfully. — It is fearfully hot & heavy here. Papa bathed to-day, for the first & last time. — I was painted by Tuxen to-day, & to-morrow must sit again.

Hearty love to the Aeta Bund.

Now, Dearest darling Ernie, Goodbye & God bless you. Ever your own & very loving & true little Sister Axeli, Alix, Alicky, Xila or Colrettchen.

[P. S.] Many 1000 kisses. Love to all at the Heiligenberg.

Above: Alix. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Above: Ernst.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated July 14, 1887

Alix wrote this letter to her brother Ernst on July 14, 1887.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/186278614030/princess-alix-alicky-of-hesse-and-by-rhine

The letter:

My darling old Ernie,
We were all so thankful and pleased to hear, that you had had a good passage. I must say that I was rather afraid about it, as it was windy here, and a bad crossing by day, is not lovely. — The house is so empty now, and we all miss you so very much, especially you. — Excuse these smears, but I am in a hurry, as have been trying on, & after this most write some more letters, and then it is time for luncheon. It is very warm to-day. —

Yesterday we went to the garden party at Hatfield (Lord Salisbury). They showed us about the house, which is charming & most interesting. — Many relations were there, Indians &c. — Daisy went with her Parents to London & opened a Children's Ball. She enjoyed herself, but was very shy, Aunt said, & did not speak. She got a Bouquet with Daises. — I shall write soon again, when I have more time, & tell you the news. —

How is old Darmstadt looking? If you see darling Toni, give her much tender love from me, and say, that I hope she has not quite forgotten her old Friend. Now darling Ernie, Adio, with hearty love to Victoria & Louis, Ever your own loving little Alicky.

P. S. My best congratulations for Uncle Alexander on the 15th, & to Marie E. A kiss for Baby.

Above: Alix, year 1887. Photo courtesy of Tatiana Z on Flickr.

Above: Alix with Ernest, year 1887.