Marie’s father’s wife came to St. Petersburg. Now that her eldest daughter was having a child, the Emperor felt the she should be given a title. Her Bavarian title became Countess Hohenfelsen. Marie’s father’s marriage to the divorcée finally was recognized.
Marie went to her previous home when she lived with her dad, the old palace on the Neva, and met her father and his wife there.
On the dining room table was laid-out Marie’s deceased mother’s jewels, furs, and laces. They had been left in the deceased mother’s quarters for around 20 years. Much of the jewelry was tarnished and precious stones needed to be cleaned. The furs had been kept with naphthaline (mothball-like) which did not increase their beauty. Jewels were considered as an ornament - part of the attire. Marie said she saw no “material value” in them.
The now Countess had offered to take Marie to Paris and meet with the specialized Houses for her gowns. The Countess also spoke of Marie’s trousseau and of the dress-making house. She asked Marie what would she really love to have. As it turned out, Marie said she would love to have something like the amethyst balls that the Countess was wearing. The Countess did send that jewelry to Marie.
Marie was happy to see her father and felt at peace and happy. Now Marie was thinking that no one can keep her from seeing her father once she is married and in another country.
Over Christmas, the Prince arrived in Moscow. Marie felt estranged from him, so unlike the time she spent with him in the country. Marie began to feel disconnected from marrying him, though she had accepted his proposal and the preparations had long begun. Mlle. Hélène was in charge of all the preparations for Marie - which included obtaining for Marie’s trousseau - lingerie, house linens, kitchen utensils, shoes, stockings, matching dresses, gloves made-to-order, corsets, and the complicated toilet for women - and automobiles, table services, glasses ordered abroad. Marie was to take the silver left to her by her Uncle Serge.
Marie was realizing that the Prince was lacking in initiative despite his having a more liberal education. When Marie was not around Dimitri, she was suddenly not wanting to go through with the marriage.
Her Aunt Ella also needed an operation which had sounded serious, as she was planning to stay at the hospital she had built, to recover from her surgery. Marie had written to the Prince saying that she needs to break the engagement due to her aunt’s circumstance. He had replied to think carefully about this as it would cause him great pain.
Princess Irene of Prussia had come to care for her sister, Aunt Ella. In her conversation with Marie, she stated that it was impossible to break the engagement. This was an important political alliance and Princess Irene was informed by the Swedish Sovereign. Also all arrangement had been made and they have already begun taking place.
Marie had enjoyed her last ball as a “jeune fille” with a beautiful gown and head-dress. Days before Easter, she went to where her Uncle was buried with Dmitri and Aunt Ella to pay respects. Following that visit, they went to where her father was staying in Tsarskoie-Selo.
Upon the arrival of King Gustave, Emperor and Empress and all of the Imperial family came to greet at the train station where red carpet had been laid. That day there were wet snow flakes coming against the carriage windows.
The table which the Crown Jewels were placed, was decorated from the days of Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great. This was for the day of the marriage of the Prince and Marie. Marie also would wear Empress Catherine’s diadem which had an extraordinary pink diamond in the center with a small velvet crown with many diamonds. She would wear the diamond necklace with large stones, bracelets and quite heavy cherry-shaped earrings. The earrings were so heavy that gold hoops were attached so could be placed around her ears.
Marie had on all the heavy garments and accessories. Then the “ladies of the Palace” who were wives of high officials, were led by the Mistress of the Court. A lace veil was placed on Marie’s head and a small crown with sprigs of orange blossoms inserted in the folds of the veil to secure on her head.
When she was required to rise, The Emperor helped raise her under her elbows so Marie could stand despite the heavy attire. Then the wedding procession began. The halls were filled with people in uniforms and court gowns, and they finally arrived at the church. The rites for a Russia Orthodox marriage began. One of the bridesmen passed a bottle of smelling salts for Marie as she was looking a little pale. The Archbishop of St. Petersburg took part and was surrounded by clergy of the city. Then there was a canon salute. The deacon announced for the first time Marie’s new title, Grand Duchess. For the second ceremony in the protestant chapel, the protestant marriage was performed where the rings were removed so as to place the rings back on in this ceremony. During this ceremony Swedish hymns were played.
Following that ceremony, she was relieved of the mantle and crown, and tea was then to be served. She was still wearing the diadem and lace veil.
At 7:00 in the evening, the Prince and Marie, sat next to each other at a table in the shape of a horseshoe. The Emperor was to the right of the Prince, and the Empress was to the right of the Prince. The other side or inside the horseshoe shape was not occupied for a better view. The Corps of Pages were acting as the banquet servers. Toasts, cannonade, tall glasses of champagne served on gold plates were a part of this event. The Emperor was humored as Marie took off her heavy earrings and hung them on the rim of her water glass. She had been in pain with the earrings on. Her napkin would keep sliding down her gown to the floor and the page responsible for her, would retrieve each time and place back on her lap, while Marie continued in her conversation.
After dinner, they all went to the dining room, so the gala arrangements could be completed. When gala preparations were complete, the Grand Chamberlain made the announcement. All would then enter into the large ballroom which was carpeted in red for this occasion. There was the same “fete ceremonial” as Catherine the Great’s time; Catherine the Great would play cards with “guests of note.”
Following the reception, a 4-horse carriage took them to the Emperor’s palace. At the entranceway of Alexander Palace, the Empress assisted the King of Sweden with bread and salt on a silver platter. The Empress wore a large diadem of pearls and diamonds, and her court gown was of white moire trimmed with heavy gold embroidery. Taking the platter from her hand, was the ending of the ceremonies of the marriage.
Once Marie had taken off her heavy attire, she found herself bruised. Mlle. Hélène would then help her dress for the last time. The Empress placed on Marie’s finger a stunning sapphire ring as a parting gift. Her Aunt Ella was waiting for her with bread and salt, as a welcome. They stayed for a late supper, then all left the newly married couple.
The next day, the brides men who were family members, brought a bouquet and stayed for lunch. In the evening at Tsarshkoie-Selo, they enjoyed a gala concert given by Moscow artists. At this event, she wore a train of sky blue velvet with gold embroidery and a set of turquoises which had belonged to Marie’s mother. She received the ambassadors in the first room. In the second room, there were heads of delegations with secretaries and embassies’ personnel. She was nervous as she did not know anyone and she did not want to make any mistakes.
They stayed 8 days in St. Petersburg and enjoyed dinners, parties, receptions, making of calls, and giving audiences. She was now saying goodbye to Russia and left Moscow. She felt pain leaving Dmitri. They had been close over the years and all they had been through together. Her destiny was now in a new world.
Marie noted that having intelligence is different in royalty as one can be criticized for it. She also noted that, in Russian culture, the bourgeois had permeated the culture. She felt and understood Russia, “her weaknesses, her infinite possibilities, her madness and her wisdom, and always in my mind, as long as I live, I share identify myself with Russia.” (Page 116)