Léopold of Saxe-Coburg marries Princess Charlotte Augusta

Léopold of Saxe-Coburg marries Princess Charlotte Augusta

2nd May 1816

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On 2 May 1816, Leopold married Princess Charlotte of Wales at Carlton House in London.

Charlotte was the only legitimate child of the Regent George (later George IV) and therefore second in line to the British throne.

Charlotte wore a stunning gown of cloth of silver, which gave the gown a beautiful metallic look that sparkled and dazzled guests

The silk satin high-waisted bodice with short puffed sleeves and dipping neckline, underskirt, overskirt, train and metallic embroidery, were very fashionable in the early nineteenth century.

The dress had a border, festooned with flowers and was trimmed with fashionable Brussels lace at the neck and hem.

It is thought that the dress cost over £10,000, an eyewatering sum in those days.

Princess Charlotte’s hair was simply dressed, over which she wore a wreath of diamonds in the shape of rosebuds, held together with a diamond hairpin.

Charlotte also wore earrings, pearls and an armlet – possibly the diamond bracelet given to her as a wedding present by Prince Leopold.

The couple lived initially at Camelford House on Park Lane, and then at Marlborough House on Pall Mall.

On 5th November 1817, after having suffered a miscarriage, Princess Charlotte gave birth to a stillborn son.

Charlotte died the next day following complications, she was just 21.

Leopold was said to have been heartbroken by her death, they had only been married 18 months.

Had Charlotte survived, she would have become queen of the United Kingdom on the death of her father, and Leopold presumably would have assumed the role of prince consort.

This role was later taken by his nephew, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, upon his marriage to Queen Victoria.

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https://europeanroyalhistory.wordpress.com/.../may-2.../

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