Alexandra Rose Day
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Rose Day is a charitable fund raising event held in the United Kingdom since 1912. It was first launched on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Queen Alexandra
, the consort of King Edward VII
, from her native Denmark
to the UK. The Queen requested that the anniversary be marked by the sale of roses in London to raise funds for her favourite charities.
The arrival of the Princess in England for the wedding in 1863, was a never-to-be-forgotten occasion. This was attributed to the then recent increase in the railway network, the lack of royal occasions in preceding years and the new process of photography, which had made it possible for pictures of the Princess to be sold in shops prior to the arrival. The City of London spent £40,000 on decorations and illuminations, and the result was a tumultuous reception for the bride.
Years passed and the 50th anniversary of the Princess’s arrival in London and her wedding to the late King Edward VII came. The Dowager Queen’s army of admirers insisted that the day of her arrival should be celebrated in a special way. A processional drive through the streets of London seemed an obvious choice, but Alexandra wanted an occasion that would help the sick and needy. She developed an idea which would benefit the funds of London hospitals through the sale of artificial wild roses, which were to be made by the disabled.
The day was to be called "Alexandra Rose Day," and the initial drive swept Londoners off their feet. The first event raised £32,000 (the equivalent of almost £2 million in 2002 money). The funds raised were a great benefit to hospitals, and the annual drive became an institution, one of the chief attractions of London’s summer, with Alexandra the star. By 1920, £775,000 for London hospitals had been raised. Queen Alexandra’s last Rose Day was 1923, the 60th anniversary of her arrival in England. She died two years later, in 1925.
Today the event raises money for charities that do not normally get national attention for fundraising. The Prime Minister
traditionally launches the day by being the first to buy a rose.
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
, Queen Alexandra's great granddaughter, is the current President of Alexandra Rose Day.
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
, the consort of King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
, from her native Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
to the UK. The Queen requested that the anniversary be marked by the sale of roses in London to raise funds for her favourite charities.
The arrival of the Princess in England for the wedding in 1863, was a never-to-be-forgotten occasion. This was attributed to the then recent increase in the railway network, the lack of royal occasions in preceding years and the new process of photography, which had made it possible for pictures of the Princess to be sold in shops prior to the arrival. The City of London spent £40,000 on decorations and illuminations, and the result was a tumultuous reception for the bride.
Years passed and the 50th anniversary of the Princess’s arrival in London and her wedding to the late King Edward VII came. The Dowager Queen’s army of admirers insisted that the day of her arrival should be celebrated in a special way. A processional drive through the streets of London seemed an obvious choice, but Alexandra wanted an occasion that would help the sick and needy. She developed an idea which would benefit the funds of London hospitals through the sale of artificial wild roses, which were to be made by the disabled.
The day was to be called "Alexandra Rose Day," and the initial drive swept Londoners off their feet. The first event raised £32,000 (the equivalent of almost £2 million in 2002 money). The funds raised were a great benefit to hospitals, and the annual drive became an institution, one of the chief attractions of London’s summer, with Alexandra the star. By 1920, £775,000 for London hospitals had been raised. Queen Alexandra’s last Rose Day was 1923, the 60th anniversary of her arrival in England. She died two years later, in 1925.
Today the event raises money for charities that do not normally get national attention for fundraising. The Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
traditionally launches the day by being the first to buy a rose.
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy is the youngest granddaughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. She is the widow of Sir Angus Ogilvy...
, Queen Alexandra's great granddaughter, is the current President of Alexandra Rose Day.