Before he ascended the throne, Alexander II of Russia was sent to Baden in order to present himself as a suitor for Alexandrine's hand in marriage.

[2] Around this time, Ernest was suffering from a venereal disease brought on by his many affairs; Albert consequently counseled him against marrying until he was fully recovered.

Lady Eleanor Stanley, one of Victoria's maids-of-honour, commented to her mother: "...the Duke is not well, they say, and he certainly looks dreadfully ill... he however shook hands with us very civilly at meeting, and seemed in great spirits at being with his brother.

The Duchess [Alexandrine] told Lady Duoro she had been at Ems in hopes of producing a son and heir, but it had no effect as yet; we were rather amused at her saying it so simply, but she seems a very nice person and very pretty.

Lady Eleanor commented again that "[Alexandrine] was very sweet at parting, and kissed us all round; she looked very delicate, as white as a sheet, and more fit to be in her bed than undertaking a long journey.

[5] Though Victoria was eager to see Alexandrine again, and though plans had been arranged the previous year for her to visit, Ernest chose to not bring her along.

At one point, Ernest had two mistresses, and was living with them and Alexandrine "in an improbable ménage which made the couple a laughing-stock to all but their family".

[6] Although she loved Alexandrine, Victoria was appalled by her willingness to accept his affairs: "Uncle E.'s conduct is perfectly monstrous and I must blame Aunt very much.

[7] Prince Ernest Louis of Hesse recalled how Alexandrine used to trail behind her husband calling, "Ernst, my treasure"; this caused particular embarrassment at Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 when Prince Ernest Louis's brother-in-law Grand Duke Sergei imitated Alexandrine, calling out to Ernest Louis "Ernst, my treasure", not realizing that the Duke was approaching from the other end of the room:[7] "He saw my aghast expression and turned, then we both fled, escaping into different rooms.