Staying at the palace with Gobelin tapestries, was where Marie and her husband lived while their marital home was being built. There had been many delays and the gift from her Aunt paid for the original amount. So Marie needed to dip into the financial gift she received from her father and into some of her own money. Due to the contract drawn up prior to Marie’s marriage, it was signed and sealed by the ministers of both the Swedish and Russian countries and could not be altered. Marie was responsible for the household expenses, of which there many, both of staff and of maintenance of the home. This contract was not of the tradition or custom for her level within the imperial family. Her Aunt Ella had been absorbed in her own world of selling, giving, away, and creating and maintaining the running of the hospital and then, convent that focused on services to those in need. Her Aunt did not have as much left to address the difference of proposed and actual costs, as she lived on the interest that Uncle Serge had left Aunt Ella.
Marie employed a private secretary who remained in Russia and handled all the Russian language correspondence. All of the payments were made directly to the Court Chamberlain who controlled the household expenses. Thus she had little left for personal expenses. Looking back (perhaps when writing this book), she realized that she was one to lead her life more simply and thus was not angry that she could have lived her life requiring so much more. She had ended up purchasing ready made clothes and shoes for example in Paris Lafayette, versus going to the designer houses. She spoke of the horses were different than she had experienced in Russia.
She entertained much with receptions, parties, and entertainments. She had a positive relationship with the Swedish King, though he had concerns regarding the number of the events Marie was involved with. She humored the King, though some of the antics were looked upon as more childish by others. Marie spoke of the importance of not harming another with her antics, though she began to learn she was developing a reputation in Sweden for her antics.
At the end of the winter, Marie went to visit her father at Boulogne in France. Marie was missing Russia. She did state, “In Sweden I found much to admire - her great civilization, her spirit of order, her immense capacity for organization.” (Page 136) Despite her admiration for Sweden, she would drift back in her thoughts to her large country of origin. Looking back when writing her book, she realized her attachment to Russia was more of a “romantic and sentimental quality.” (Page 137) She was feeling intuitively uneasy though she was not sure why. The years she missed also were during the times when Russia had been at peace.
The Russian government was headed by Stolypin from 1906 until 1911. While other “shadowy” figures had short stents, Rasputin had remained the longest and came onto the court in 1907. (page 137) When Marie had come back to Russia, she was treated as a “Foreign Princess” so she did not experience the increasing chaos in Russia.
Since Marie’s marriage, her brother Dmitri had left Moscow and was attending calvary school. He was feeling lonely there and his health was declining. While General Laiming had remained with Dmitri, Dmitri was not feeling the loving warmth of family. Once he left calvary school, he began working in the Horse Guards where it was more difficult for him as the job required more from Dmitri’s constitution.
Marie kept herself busy so she would not fall into and stay in sadness. In Autumn 1910 she moved into her new home Oakhill. Also her lady-in-waiting, Cecilia Falkenberg, married and left her position with Marie. Another change was Lieutenant Rudebeck left his military service to run Marie’s household and became the chamberlain and Director of her household.
Oakhill was located just outside of Stockholm with a view of the sound with green fields and parks, a garden sloping toward the water, along with enormous and beautiful oak trees. Marie enjoyed the modernness, space and light that her new home provided. It was a contrast to a palace where she had been staying.
For Marie’s 20th birthday, she celebrated with a ball. Flowers were sent from Nice and she had many flowers in her home. The guests had been given flowers as they left the ball.
In the Winter she found herself bored with life and she decided to go to the best art school located in Stockholm. The King’s younger brother, Prince Eugene, had encouraged her do the studies. He was an accomplished artist and she appreciated his encouragement. Students helped Marie to progress more quickly. During recess, Marie would eat the sandwich she brought. Her companions in class would periodically offer her milk and gingerbread which she enjoyed. At the end of their day which was shorter due to the winter season at twilight the students would dry their brushes and close their sketchbooks. (Page 139)
Once she arrived home, Marie would quickly change her clothes and go to riding school where she was learning “to ride astride.” (page 139) She would develop her ability to jump fences on the horse without stirrups.
“After a bath and tea I took a singing lesson, or practiced on the piano so that I could accompany myself. In the evening, I frequently prepared work for the test in composition which was held once a month at school. I liked this ; the competitions were wholly anonymous and gave me a chance to judge how I was really getting on.” (Page 140)
With Marie’s travel to the art school via the tram, she would see many of the same people. The conductor was an old man with a white beard and worked for the company many years. She was impressed with him when she learned of him supporting in his small financial way for a home for illegitimate children who had been abandoned by their fathers and mothers. Marie invited him to her home for coffee to have a conversation to learn more and he behaved in a polite, dignified manner.
The darker days in the winter along with school, time had passed so quickly. The King had accepted Marie’s request for him giving her a ball. Her organization had included a “quadrille of young men and women and 8 pairs had danced a minuet and a gavotte.” (Page 140). Marie and her husband danced a mazurka which was a quick, intense dance and were wearing Polish costumes.
Important court functions took place in January which was the time Parliament’s formal opening. Formal attire was required and Marie had to be ready before 10am. “The Princesses in court dress of black velvet, with long trains and slashed sleeves bordered with ermine; the maids of honor also in black but without ermine; the King, the Princes, and ministers in dress uniform. The men were grouped about the King on a platform in the hall; the Princesses, with their ladies behind them, occupied a balcony. The ceremony was not so trying; after a few speeches, rather long, we went home. In honor of the deputies, after which we had to make conversation with them, for seemed a terribly long time.” (Page 141)
The grand ball was much longer in time and many attended. In one room, all princes and princesses with a memoranda which provided who their dinner and dancing partners. Each room had different ranks and number of people to have conversations. The next salon was the season’s debutantes with their mothers.
“The ball began. We danced the quadrilles, of which there were three, with members of the government and the ministers of foreign countries. The King and the Princes danced with their wives. For the other dances, we were more or less free to choose, but the partner had to be informed beforehand, and a chamberlain sent to tell him of the honour that was to be his.” (Page 141)
In the Spring of 1911, the King decided to send Marie and her husband to The King of Siam. The King was to be crowned the following winter. Marie and her husband represented the Swedish family. This was in the interest of Swedish trade in Siam and the Prince (Marie’s husband) would assist in the relationship building prior to the future King of Siam’s crowning.