To Commemorate the Arrival in London of the Princess Alexandra of Denmark to Wed Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (Edward VII) in March, 1863

Art Historical Context

This elegant bronze medal, struck in 1863 by the renowned Wyon family engravers—Alfred Benjamin Wyon and Joseph Shepherd Wy—celebrates a pivotal moment in British royal history: the arrival in London of Princess of Denmark. Crafted to honor her impending marriage to Albert Edward, of Wales (later King VII), the medal captures the excitement surrounding this union, which symbolized strengthening ties between Britain and Denmark amid Europe's shifting alliances. Measuring 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter the medal exemplifies the Victorian era's tradition of commemorative plaquettes, often produced in struck bronze for durability and widespread distribution. The Wyons, a dynasty of master medalists who served as official engravers to the Royal Mint, employed precise profile portraits—likely featuring the graceful Princess Alexandra—to evoke classical antiquity while marking a modern royal milestone. Such medals were prized as both keepsakes and propaganda, blending artistry with national pride. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection (gift of the Corporation of the City of London, 1908), this piece offers a tangible glimpse into 19th-century pomp and the enduring allure of royal weddings.