Vermählung der Tochter von Prinzessin Alice, Countess of Athlone und dem Earl of Athlone (Bruder von Königin Mary von Grossbritannien).
Prinzessin May Helen Emma von Teck wurde 1906 geboren und ist das einzig überlebende Kind aus der Verbindung von
Prinz Alexander von Teck und Prinzessin Alice. Ihre Mutter war die Tochter von Leopold, Herzog of Albany, dem jüngsten Sohn Königin Victorias.
Lady May Cambridge, daughter of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone and the Earl of Athlone, the only surviving brother of Queen Mary, married Captain Henry Abel Smith in October 1931. It was an country wedding at the village church of St Mary, Balcombe, Sussex.
Her wedding dress was of soft white Windsor satin with a cross-over bodice and true-lover's knot of orange blossoms at the left side, the skirt was cut entirely on the bias and fell to the feet in full godet folds. From the hips the satin flowed out into a five-feet long train of the same satin. It was half covered by a lovely Honiton lace veil, lent by the Queen (Mary), who had worn it at her own marriage, as had Princess Alice at her wedding.
This was arranged as a cap over the fair hair of the bride and had a simple wreath of orange blossoms. She also wore a small veil of ivory tulle, which she discarded after the ceremony.
Lady May carried a lilies-of-the-valley bouquet, with the flowers presented to her on arrival and tied with silver ribbon. On the ribbon was a horseshoe made of myrtle, cut from the tree grown from a sprig taken from the wedding bouquet of Queen Victoria. Lady May's only jewel was a pearl necklace.
Behind Lady May walked her 12 attendants; an impressive group with Princess Elizabeth of York (making first real public appearance), Princess Ingrid of Sweden, Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Lady Alice Scott, wearing long, graceful dresses of velvet in a lovely shade of Nigelta blue. The dresses of the grown-up bridesmaids were cut on long, flowing lines
to mould to their figures, with ankle-length skirts flaring towards the hems. The bodices were draped into a soft cowl effect in front, and the long, close-fitting sleeves were puffed above the elbows. Two long lengths of the velvet were draped from either side and caught into a large bow at the back, forming a short train. Their shoes were of silver and bandeaux of folded velvet formed their headdresses. All carried sheaves of deep purple, blue and red anemones, and wore clear crystal necklaces, gifts from the bridegroom. The children walked together dressed in little Victorian frocks with tiny tightly-fitting bodices with short puff sleeves, the full skirts falling in folds to their ankles. They wore Juliet caps of latticed blue velvet ribbon.
The wedding ring was of platinum which the bride placed beside her large oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds.
The Royal Wedding presents arrived at Kensington Palace, where Lady May's parents lived. Among the wedding presents which numbered nearly six hundred, that Lady May Cambridge received, were
Long Diamond Chain Necklace and Drop Pendant which can be divided up into two bracelets, and a smaller necklace, or four bracelets from The King and Queen Mary
Diamond Pendant from the groom to the bride
Diamond tiara>> Mrs. Francis Abel Smith it must be the tiara with diamond spikes
Diamond Bandeau which can be converted in two bracelets Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone and the Earl of Athlone
Diamond and Emerald Brooch - from her parents Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone and the Earl of Athlone
Diamond and Emerald Pendant from Princess Louise Duchess of Argyll (Laura found an report about a diamond bar brooch with pendant emeralds - as gift of her parents-Leeds Intelligencer)
Small enamel Clock from Lalique from the Duke of Connaught
Gold three-fold mirror Lord and Lady Carnegie.
The antique sapphire pendant above with the round sapphire was once owned by Princess Alice and later was in the possession of Lady May Abel Smith. It was auctioned in 1974 for $17 250 USD along with a pair of two important sapphire brooches for $4600 USD.
Christening Gift - Enameld star shaped pendant jeweled with 
sapphires and rubies from King Edward
Sources: The Times Court Circular; The Queen; Prescott Evening Courier; Tamworth Herald; Christie's;Toledo Plate 1906; NEW ZEALAND HERALD;
