1-150-346 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Dowry', 1863. 'Mr. Bull. There, Pam! There's The Trifle Of Money For The Marriage. Ah! How Much Better Than Some United States, Eh? John Bull hands over the first year's allowance from the brimming coffers of public funds. The Prince of Wales was shortly due to marry the beautiful Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Therefore, in accordance with Palmerston's proposal, it was agreed that an allowance of £100,000 per annum should be made to the Prince of Wales. As £60,000 was already received from the Duchy of Cornwall, only £40,000 of this had to be found. A further £10,000 was voted for the personal use of the Princess of Wales, making a total 'Dowry' of £50,000 per annum. The 'united state' of marriage is compared very favourably to the 'United States' of America, still at this time deep in the throes of the Civil War. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 28, 1863.