The wedding of King George V and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck

This week we take a look at the wedding of King George V and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck.


Duke of York (later King George V) and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (know as May within the family) were married on 6th July 1893 at Chapel Royal, St James Palace

May was originally engaged to the Duke of York’s older brother Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, but he died 6 weeks after they were engaged during a worldwide influenza pandemic.
The Duke of York and May became very close due to their grief and were engaged in May 1893,a year after the death of Prince Albert.

The crowds gathered under the hot sun of the summer to witness the bride on her journey to the chapel. The groom wore the uniform of Captain in Navy, The bride’s dress was white satin brocade embroidered with silver roses, shamrocks and thistles. Her veil was her Mothers Honiton lace veil, it floated backwards and left her face on full view. The veil was secured with diamond pins, the largest being a present from Queen Victoria. A wreath of orange blossom was placed on her hair. She also wore a diamond tiara, diamond riviere necklace, diamond earrings and a diamond brooch in the shape of an anchor.

There were 5 attendants that carried the full train and they were followed by 5 adult bridesmaids.

After the wedding the couple made their way to Buckingham palace where the marriage register was signed by the Queen, Prime minster and all other royal personages present.
The cake was a traditional white frosted tiered cake.

The couple’s honeymoon was spent in York cottage at Sandringham, this was a wedding gift from the Prince of Wales and the couple lived there for 8 years.

Next week we take a look at the wedding of King George Vi and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons (Queen Elizabeth)