141 years ago
The Queen's marriage with Prince Albert was made an occasion of general festivity in the Metropolis and in the Provinces. The weather, on which much depended, though unfavourable in the early part of Monday, improved towards noon, and the sun shone gayly on the Royal bride and her subjects. The pageantry equalled the excited expectations of those admitted to witness it. No accident marred the ceremonial. All concurred in admiring the maidenly dignity with which the young Queen performed her part; while Prince Albert's bearing, manly, modest, and grave, made a very favourable impression. The multitude 'out of doors' was in good humour, and the Queen's reception was far more cordial than she had lately been accustomed to.
The exclusion of an entire Party from participating in the state ceremony of the Royal nuptials, has been commented on. The Duke of Wellington was the only member of the Opposition invited to be present in the Chapel Royal: his Grace only received his invitation late on Friday night, and was not at the wedding breakfast or the banquet. It is said in explanation, that to the breakfast and banquet only members of the Royal Family, or persons holding offices in the Household, were invited; and that this was according to etiquette. Possibly: nevertheless, it is unfortunate that on such an occasion the Queen should have been so exclusively surrounded, as to countenance the charge that her Majesty's advisers contrive to make her seem the Sovereign of a faction instead of an united people.
Spectator 15 Feb, 1840
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