Alix's letter to Queen Victoria, dated March 22, 1893

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, page 293, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Darmstadt
March 22nd 1893
Beloved Grandmama,
I send you my most loving thanks for Your very dear letter. It was such a comfort receiving it in those sad days. They were terrible as they brought back so vividly that fearful time a year ago. Still one cannot believe it, one does miss our Darling more than I can say. Perpetually there are things one longs to ask him or things one hears and knows he would have been pleased at. A greater Angel there never was.

But I must not make you sad, my sweet Grandmama dear, only I know how deeply devoted he was to You.

The weather is most beautifully warm and the birds are singing away. Ernie returns on Saturday, he is paying his visits to Munich, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. Mossy has come to me as Fischy is also away during these days and she would have felt too miserable all alone at Philippsruhe.

I hope the journey was not too tiring for You. I cannot tell You how much I am looking forward to our meeting at Florence and I am counting the days till then.
With many loving kisses I am, Darling Grandmama, Your very loving and dutiful Child
Alix

Mossy sends her best love.

Above: Alix.

Above: Queen Victoria.

Alix's letter to Xenia, dated January 10, 1893

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 291 to 292, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Darmstadt
Jan 10th 1893
My darling Xenia,
I send you my very fondest thanks for your dear letter, sweet Photo and pretty card, which all gave me immense pleasure. It seems so funny that you should already be quite a grown up lady as the last time I saw you, you wore short hair and frocks.

Poor little Chicken, I hope your rash is quite gone by this time and that you were able to spend a merry Xmas, it was so nice for us being able to spend it at Kiel, as the first time alone at home would have been too hard. I trust that the New Year will "bring unmeasured joy to thine heart, whilst all that can sadden or cause thee a tear, with the fast-dying year may depart." God bless you and may you have nothing but sunshine and happiness in your life.

Though I scarcely ever write to you, you must not think that it is because I have forgotten you, for my thoughts and prayers are constantly with you, and your photo goes along with me, so shall now the new little one. I send you a tiny one of me done last winter, it is taken out of a group wh was done in a room, so is not very like. I was taken in England and shall send you one of them an other time. You must excuse this horrible writing, but I am resting after having ridden in the manège.

Ernie is out shooting to-day, the weather is lovely, bright sun, blue skye, and everything white. Latterly we have been skating several times and it was so nice, it reminds me always of 89, when we used to fly down the icehills and scramble about with the balls, pellies and baskets.

To-day is Missy's Wedding, I am sure she will look lovely. I am going to Mossy's, but I must say I rather dread it, as I never care for such large festivities and all the dressing up and many people — it is the first time I go for such an occasion and I shall miss my own beloved Papa most awfully. Not a year and I must already go to such festivities, but being the only Hessian Princess, it is thought right I should be present at her marriage, but one cannot alas doa always what one would care to and it is so hard to have to be smiling and chattering away when one feels far from it, but I must not grumble.

Now this long epistle must come to an end, else you will think me a too tremendous a bore. With many a loving kiss and tenderest wishes for the New Year, I am, My darling little One,
Ever yr most loving and devoted old hen, Frog, Goat, Toad
Alix

Ernie sends much love to you and the Boys as do I also. If you would write once again you would make me very happy.

Above: Alix.

Above: Marie "Missy" of Edinburgh and Prince Ferdinand of Romania.

Above: Xenia.

Alix's letter to Queen Victoria, dated December 26, 1892

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 289 to 291, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Königliches Schloss, Kiel
December 26th 1892
My own darling Grandmama,
I send You my most loving and heartfelt thanks for the lovely bracelet with my beloved Papa's head — nothing could have given me greater pleasure and I shall wear it constantly. Also for 'Tennyson's Works' and the sweet little Card, most tender thanks.

I received many lovely Presents, amongst others, a beautiful bracelet from Ernie, aranged out of buttons belonging to dear Papa, which makes it of course more valuable to me, he always knows how to give one pleasure, and I am sure there never was a dearer and kinder Brother.

It is such a comfort being able to spend Xmas here, as it would have been too painful the first time alone at home, but nevertheless it was hard going away from the Rosenhöhe.

Darling Grandmama, I hope You are spending these days happily with all the Relations and though we are not able to be with You, my thoughts, prayers and most earnest and tenderest wishes for the New Year are surounding You.

There is one thing I wanted to tell You still. I have had a formal invitation to go to Berlin for Mossy's wedding and Ernie thought it right that I should accept it as I have already been asked for the other occasion the last years and did not go. Finger also thinks it right I should go being the only Hessian Princess. I must say I dread it teribly, as I have a great dislike of such large festivities, and especially now that I have lost my own sweet darling Papa, but it must be, and I pray God may give me strength to do my duty. Ernie wrote to Aunt Vicky to ask her whether she would take me into her house instead of him, so as that I could be under her protection, and she has kindly agreed to it. Irène being also in the house will make it so much pleasanter for me, as if I had to live in the Schloss with all the guests, and no married nearer Relation, it would not have been so easy and far more tiring, as one would perpetually have to be running up and down.

It is bitterly cold to-day and snowing fast, regular Xmas weather.

But I must end my letter now, as a long letter is in the way, when I fear You must be having very much to do.

Thanking You again many times for the lovely presents and with my very tenderest wishes that the New Year may bring You much joy and happiness and good health, I remain, Darling Grandmama dear, Your ever deeply devoted, loving and grateful Child
Alix
God bless and protect You!
Many a loving and tender kiss for my dearest Grandmama

Above: Alix.

Above: Queen Victoria.