On Christmas Eve 1879, a daughter named Alexandrine was born to
Frederick III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his wife Grand Duchess
Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia. This little girl was the first
child of the couple who had married at the start of the year; her
parents went on to have two more children – Cecilie who became the
German Crown Princess and Frederick Francis who became the next
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Not much is known of the upbringing of Alexandrine and her siblings
other than they were raised between their household in Germany and
in Cannes in France because her father the Grand Duke suffered
badly with asthma and the climate was much better for him there.
Alexandrine and her siblings took part in lots of sporting
activities and were well-educated; Alexandrine played piano
particularly well and had a passion for music. At the age of
eighteen Alexandrine was deemed old enough to marry and was wed on
the 26th April 1898 to Prince Christian of Denmark. The
couple were to reside in Denmark in Sorgenfri Palace close to
Copenhagen and Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen and were given the
use of Marselisborg Palace as a summer home in Jutland. At this
time, Alexandrine’s husband began his military education, which was
common practice at the time for princes; this lasted until 1892,
meaning he was often away from home.
The young couple soon had two children, sons named Frederick and
Knud. In 1906, Christian’s father became King Frederick VIII of
Denmark, making Christian the Crown Prince and next in line for the
throne. This position only lasted a few years as Christian’s father
died suddenly while out for a walk at the age of 68, making
Christian and Alexandrine King and Queen a lot sooner than they had
expected. King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine of Denmark took to
the throne in 1912. Alexandrine did not involve herself much in
political life but focused on charity work and music; governing
over a number of musical societies. The Queen also loved gardening,
photography and golf. When World War One struck Europe, Alexandrine
founded a Queen’s Committee to support those in poverty.
In 1918 the relationship between Denmark and the country Iceland
was redefined. Iceland had been part of the realm of Denmark for
some time, but on 1 December 1918, Iceland became an independent
country, a sovereign state. However, Denmark and Iceland were still
bound together by a common monarch; King Christian X became King
Kristján X and Queen Alexandrine was known as Queen Alexandría in
Iceland. King Kristján was the first and only monarch to rule over
Iceland as a sovereign country.
During World War Two, the royal couple were very popular and acted
as national symbols. Queen Alexandrine, in particular, was praised
for her loyalty to Denmark over her birth country of Germany. It
was said of the Queen “Protect our Queen, the only German we would
like to keep!”
Sadly, it was not long before Denmark fell under German occupation,
which lasted until the end of the war in 1945. The Royal Family
remained in Denmark along with the government, though they were
under German control, especially after 1943 when the country was
under full military occupation. The King and Queen were looked upon
as national symbols and symbols of hope during this time. As for
Iceland, occupation by England and the USA to protect the country
and the German occupation of Denmark meant that it became
impossible for the King to govern over both nations and the union
began to crumble. Before the war ended, Iceland became a republic
in June 1944; King Christian sent a letter of congratulations to
his former subjects from his home in Denmark. This meant that Queen
Alexandría was the last Queen of Iceland.
In 1947, Alexandrine was widowed and her son Frederick ascended the
throne as King Frederick IX; in 1972, King Frederick was succeeded
his own daughter and Alexandrine’s granddaughter, the current queen
of Denmark Queen Margrethe II. Alexandrine died aged
seventy-three in December 1952.
