Souvenir of the Programme of the Royal Wedding of Princess Patrica of Connaught and Commander the Hon. Alexander Ramsay D.S.O. at Westminster Abbey

Souvenir programme published to commemorate the wedding of Princess Patricia of Connaught to Alexander Ramsay at Westminster Abbey on 27th February 1919. The front cover is printed with grainy portraits of the couple reproduced from newspaper images. Inside are printed details of the royal wedding processional route to the Abbey. The wedding of Princess Patricia, granddaughter of Queen Victoria to a commoner naval commander captured the public imagination. Marrying for love the Princess relinquished her royal title on her wedding day although the wedding itself included much royal pageantry as testified by the souvenir programme.
Such penny (1d) souvenir programmes were quickly and cheaply mass printed for all royal events that took place in London in the early 20th century. They were primarily sold to spectators lining the route by street hawkers moving amongst the mass crowds. Royal ceremony and pageantry was very much a feature of Imperial London and consolidated the popularity of the extended Royal Family. Londoners were encouraged to support these shows of imperial spectacle, images of which were sent around the world, by providing a ready made flag waving, patriotic crowd. Such programmes as this were thus not only produced as souvenirs but also to encourage participation by informing Londoners where and when the events were taking place.