Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria driving to the Mansion House on the first Alexandra Rose Day in 1912
Observed by
United Kingdom
Significance
Anniversary of the arrival of Queen Alexandra from Denmark to the United Kingdom
Observances
Sale of artificial silk roses to raise money for hospitals
Date
A variable date in June Original date: 26 June 1912
Frequency
annual
The Alexandra Rose Day is a charitable fund raising event held in June in the United Kingdom since 1912 by Alexandra Rose Charities. It was first launched on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Queen Alexandra from her native Denmark to the United Kingdom.[1] She requested that the anniversary be marked by the sale of roses in London to raise funds for her favourite charities.
The arrival of Princess Alexandra of Denmark in the United Kingdom for her marriage to the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) in 1863 was a public occasion. This was attributable 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 her arrival. The City of London spent £40,000 on decorations and illuminations, and the result was a tumultuous reception for the bride.
When the 50th anniversary of her arrival and wedding came, 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 young women and girls with disabilities at the John Groom Industrial Training Home.
The day was to be called "Alexandra Rose Day". The first event raised £32,000, equivalent to £3,370,601 in 2021. The funds raised were a great benefit to hospitals, and the day became an annual occasion. By 1920, £775,000 had been raised for London hospitals.
Queen Alexandra's Rose Day continued to be celebrated even after her death in 1925. Autochrome colour photos exist of women selling paper roses with poster billboards and decorated collecting cans in Seaford, East Sussex on the 'Seventeenth Celebration Alexandra Day in memory of H.M Queen Alexandra Saturday June 16, 1928.'[2]
After a period of raising money for charities which do not normally get national attention for fundraising, today the charity is addressing food poverty in London, most notably through providing vouchers for disadvantaged families to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Prime Minister traditionally launches the day by being the first person to buy a rose.
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Queen Alexandra's great-granddaughter, is the current president of Alexandra Rose Day.[3]
^Room, Adrian (2000). Brewer's dictionary of modern phrase & fable. London: Cassell. p. 19. ISBN 0-304-35871-1.
^Adams, Clifton R. (1928). "Photographs taken by Clifton R. Adams on his visit to England in 1928". National Geographic Creative/Corbis. Retrieved 2 November 2015.[permanent dead link]
^Sylvester, Rachel; Coates, Sam (22 June 2003). "Today's royal engagements - Times Online". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
and 24 Related for: Alexandra Rose Day information
The AlexandraRoseDay is a charitable fund raising event held in June in the United Kingdom since 1912 by AlexandraRose Charities. It was first launched...
Alexander instead. The AlexandraRoseDay fund still exists; its patron is Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Alexandra's great-granddaughter...
Once, when the dowager queen was unable to attend the charity event AlexandraRoseDay, she sent her daughters Louise and Victoria together, and the latter...
David Hedison. Alexandra Hedison is a fine art photographer. Hedison first exhibited her series of abstract landscapes in 2002 at Rose Gallery in Bergamot...
Llandudno. In 1928 it was moved to AlexandraRoseDay. In the 20th-century it expanded to Nanterre near Paris. In America, the Rose Queen has been crowned in New...
Burton at the Thames Ditton Foundry. It was unveiled on 8 June 1932 (AlexandraRoseDay) by George V. At the unveiling ceremony the memorial was blessed by...
Alexandra, Defying Hitler: The White Rose Pamphlets. Bodleian Library Publishing, 2022. ISBN 9781851245833. Lloyd, Alexandra (ed.), The White Rose: Reading...
Ty. "Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke shine in 'Juliet, Naked'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 3 January 2019. Wolfe, Alexandra (3 August 2018). "Rose Byrne...
Alexandra Corinne Pelosi (born October 5, 1970) is an American journalist, documentary filmmaker, and writer. She is a daughter of Nancy Pelosi, the former...
Alexandra Palace is an entertainment and sports venue in North London, situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey...
The AlexandraRoseDay had already, in 1912, raised money by the sale of artificial roses in exchange for charitable donations, so Morrison's flag day was...
It was officially unveiled on 8 June 1932, which was announced as AlexandraRoseDay. It depicts three figures representing Faith, Hope, and Charity who...
Jalen Anthony Rose (born January 30, 1973) is an American sports analyst and former professional basketball player. In college, he was a member of the...
services to Sidecar Racing. Betty, Ivy, Mrs. Weston. For services to the AlexandraRoseDay Charity. Sidney Edward White, Head Technician, Earth and Life Sciences...
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke (born 25 August 1988) is an English singer, songwriter and actress. She won the fifth series of the talent television...
Alexandra Paige Holden (born April 30, 1977) is an American actress. Known for her film work in the comedy and horror genres, her credits include In &...
on New Year's Day (or on Monday, January 2 if New Year's Day falls on a Sunday). Produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, the...
Alexandra "Sasha" Vyacheslavovna Trusova (Russian: Александра Вячеславовна Трусова, IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandrə ˈtrusəvə]; born 23 June 2004) is a Russian figure...
with Alexandra stipulating only that the motifs should include the floral emblems of England, Scotland, and Ireland, being the English Tudor rose, the...
a member of the Council of the charitable fund-raising event, the AlexandraRoseDay, being its Honorary Treasurer after 1941. He was also Chairman of...
former cavalry officer, at a charitable fundraising event known as AlexandraRoseDay at The Ritz Hotel, London. They were married on 6 December 1922, at...
directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, starring Adam DeVine, Alexandra Shipp, Michael Peña, Rose Byrne, Justin Hartley, Wanda Sykes, Ron Funches, and Charlyne...
"U.S. Stocks Close Lower For A Third Consecutive Day". CBS News. February 6, 2008. Twin, Alexandra (September 15, 2008). "Stocks get pummeled". CNN....
Alexandra Mikhailovna Kollontai (Russian: Александра Михайловна Коллонтай; née Domontovich, Домонтович; 31 March [O.S. 19 March] 1872 – 9 March 1952)...