Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and his Russian bride, Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna kneeling at the altar during the English wedding ceremony in the Alexander Hall of the Winter Palace on January 23rd 1874, conducted by Dr. Stanley, Dean of Westminster. Queen Victoria, who was reluctant to agree to the match, did not attend the wedding in St. Petersburg but Edward, Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur of Connaught were present. A Greek Orthodox ceremony was also carried out in the Imperial Chapel of the palace on the same day.