06 MAR 2024
A tribute & memorial website to honour​ - Lord Louis MOUNTBATTEN, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
LOUIS, 1st EARL MOUNTBATTEN OF BURMA
1960: The Marriage of Pamela Mountbatten
On 13th January 1960, The Mountbattens celebrated the marriage of their youngest daughter - The Lady Pamela Mountbatten, to the designer and interior decorator, David Nightingale Hicks (1929-1998) the son of Herbert Hicks (1863-1940) - a stockbroker, at Romsey Abbey, where her sister Patricia was married in 1946. Yet again Mountbatten took control of the arrangements, ensuring that the day was another stylish social event, however the one thing Mountbatten could not control was the weather - as three inches of snow had fallen and caused some difficulties for all concerned - even the groom was forced to arrive in a police car, when his official car failed to arrive. Although David Hicks did not have the same social standing of Patricia's groom (who was a Peer), the guests still numbered many of their Royal relations including Prince Philip, 1st Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021); Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900-2002); Princess Margaret (1930-2002), Princess Alexandra of Kent (b.1936); Princess Marina, The Duchess of Kent (1906-1968); The Duchess of Gloucester, née The Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott (1901-2004) - wh0 was in mourning for her brother-in-law Charles Phipps (1889-1960); Queen Louise of Sweden (1889-1965), Mountbatten's sister; and Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, later King Charles III (1948(2022- ). Due to being heavily pregnant with her third child, Queen Elizabeth II (1926(1952- ) did not attend. Other famous guests included (Sir) Noël Coward (1899-1973), Douglas Fairbanks Jr (1909-2000) and Sir Malcolm Sargent (1895-1967).
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A short film (limited audio) by Pathé of the wedding of
The Lady Pamela Mountbatten & David Hicks
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ABOVE: David Hicks & Lady Pamela Mountbatten
outside Romsey Abbey, following their wedding
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RIGHT: Lady Pamela Mountbatten - the bride of the year,
following her wedding to David Hicks
at Romsey Abbey in January 1960
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Pamela wore a white satin dress trimmed with white mink, designed by Worth - with a 5ft train, tulle veil, with a pearl and diamond tiara loaned by Edwina, and carried a bouquet of lily of the valley. Pamela was attended by five bridesmaids - Princess Anne, later The Princess Royal (b.1950); Princess Clarissa of Hesse (b.1944) and Princess Friederike of Hesse (b.1954), the daughters of Princess Sophie of Greece & Denmark, later Princess George William of Hanover (1914-2003) - the sister of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021); Miss Victoria Marten (b.1950), the granddaughter of The Rt Hon. Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 9th Earl of Shaftesbury (1869-1961) and a god-daughter of Pamela; The Hon. (later Lady) Joanna Knatchbull (b.1955), Pamela's niece, the daughter of the best-man - John, 7th Lord Brabourne (1924-2005), Pamela's brother-in-law.
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An official photograph of David Hicks & Pamela's official wedding party -
(left to right back row): Princess Clarissa of Hesse; Miss Victoria Marten (Pamela's god-daughter);
David Hicks & Pamela and John, 7th Lord Brabourne (the best man);
(left to right front row): Princess Friederike of Hesse; The Hon. (later Lady) Amanda Knatchbull;
The Hon. (later Lady) Joanna Knatchbull & Princess Anne (later The Princess Royal)
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The formal reception was held at Broadlands, with a smaller reception for tenants and staff at Crosfield Hall, Romsey. Following the wedding, Pamela became styled 'The Lady Pamela Hicks'. Pamela & David - the happy newlywed couple left on their honeymoon on 14th January 1960 onboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth (having spent the night before onboard) from Southampton, Hampshire for New York, USA and then onto the West Indies.
At the wedding it was commented by many of Mountbatten's close family that Edwina was looking happy and well, despite her recent health concerns. However, few knew the truth as in reality, Edwina was far from well. However after the wedding, Mountbatten did say to Pamela - "Mummy radiated a sort of ethereal beauty and happiness and youth..." but sadly the happiness of this family gathering would soon be cut short.
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David & Pamela at their wedding reception
in Crosfield Hall, Romsey
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Pamela & David Hicks
cutting their 'Broadlands' wedding cake
at the reception - (left to right): Pamela & David Hicks;
(back row) Edwina & Mountbatten;
(front row) Princess Anne (later Princess Royal)
& Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales
(later King Charles III)
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