When Queen Victoria married her beloved Prince Albert in 1840, she cast aside the traditions of earlier noble-born brides—and unwittingly changed the course of wedding history. For one thing, she proposed. In lieu of a velvet jewel-toned look, she chose a white dress (a trend that she is credited with starting). As for her hair, she wore a humble wreath of orange blossoms, rather than the requisite diamond-encrusted tiara. The sweet white flower is said to symbolize love and virtue, a blessing in full bloom.
— Read more in The Bride Wore Orange Blossom: A History of Wedding Day Scents at Vanity Fair.
As for proposing herself, I think she just had to, being a queen regnant: “After Victoria acceded to the throne in 1837, tradition dictated that no one could propose to a reigning monarch. Therefore, Victoria proposed to Albert – she proposed during his second visit in October 1839 at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. ”
Source: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/queen-victoria-prince-albert
So in a way she followed the tradition, not cast it aside.
I approve her choice of a wreath over a tiara – I love orange blossom! Although, how humble was it for a country where oranges are grown in a greenhouse? Well, still humbler than diamonds, so I suppose…
Yes, if they were married in winter, I expect those orange blossoms were worth a fortune or two- and so fleeting! Tiaras hang around for futures generations…
Good point about “reusability” of tiaras. I have not thought about that.
Thanks for the link Glannys!
Np. I remembered that I had read about it before. Something about etiquette not allowing Albert to propose to the queen.