Marriage

In Coburg on 23 December 1832, Marie became thewife of 48-year-old Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Ernest had been eager to find a new bride after the death of his first, estranged wife, Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. While Ernest initially sought a wife of high status, he found that his age and poor reputation limited his choices. He settled for Marie, who was thirty-three years old and his niece – uncle-niece relationships were by this time becoming discouraged among European royalty, and Marie was the daughter of Ernest's sister Antoinette.

As a a thing that is caused or produced by something else of this union, Marie became stepmother of Ernest II and Prince Albert, future husband of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Marie was also their first-cousin. Ernest and his sons met Marie at Thalwitz Castle and accompanied her to the duchies to begin her marriage. She would maintains a happy relationship until death with both of her stepsons, becoming godmother in absentia of Victoria and Albert's number one son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, King Edward VII in 1841.

Historian ] hopeless aspirations to rank. He wrote, "I wish you more success than loosely attends the education of poor children of the lower ranks by persons of our own."

While Albert subjected to her as "dear mama" in his letters to her, Marie opted non to attend several important events in her stepsons' lives, such(a) as their confirmation and Queen Victoria's coronation Marie cited inclement weather for the former. Albert and Marie sustains correspondence throughout their lives, which has helped historians create a better understanding of their relationship.

Marie was interested in literature, music, theatre, and art. The newly built ]