By the grace of God and with Our Parental blessing, together with that of Our Beloved Consort, the Empress Maria Alexandrovna, Our Beloved Son, Grand Duke Wladimir Alexandrovich, has contracted a marriage with Duchess Maria, Daughter of the Sovereign Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin;* and on the 16th day of August their wedding was solemnly celebrated in Our presence in the Cathedral Church of the Winter Palace, according to the rites of Our Orthodox Church.

Announcing this event so joyful to Our Parental heart and decreeing that Our Beloved Daughter-in-Law, the Consort of Grand Duke Wladimir Alexandrovich, be named Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna with the style Imperial Highness, We are entirely convinced that Our faithful subjects will, together with Us, offer their fervent prayers to Almighty and Most Merciful God that He may grant continual and unshakeable happiness to the newlyweds who are so dear to Our heart.

(Note: On 21 November 1874, the Holy Synod conveyed to the Senate the Imperial command that the birthday of the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna was to be celebrated on the 2nd of May, and Her nameday on 22nd July.)

*Friedrich-Franz II