Detail from a portrait of the marriage of Princess Helena

Royal Weddings

The history of Royal weddings as seen through items in the Royal Collection

OXFORD : S. COLLINGWOOD

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments

1839

RCIN 1057741

This Book of Common Prayer was given to Victoria on her wedding day by her mother the Duchess of Kent, and was the companion volume to the green velvet prayerbook bestowed upon Prince Albert by his future mother-in-law. It is inscribed 'Given To my beloved Victoria on her Wedding Day by Her most affectionate Mother'. The binding was decorated with Victoria's monogram on the front board, and on the back a metal cartouche containing the date of their marriage, 10 February 1840.

The gold bookmark on silk ribbons is set with eight semi-precious stones, the first letters of which spell VICTORIA: Vermeil; Jargoon (the letter j was often used as an i); Chrysolite; Turquoise; Opal; Ruby; Jargoon; Amethyst.


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