looking back at the Marble House from the backyard. Alva herself called it the Marble Palace. When the Palace was completed in 1892 many young European noble bachelors as well as all the wealthy sons of the American "Royalty" were invited to visit in hopes to catch a suitable husband for Alva's daughter Consuelo. Alva negotiated tirelessly to arrange the best alliance by lavish entertaining, grand balls and parties, tea dances and small private dinner parties. In late 1895 with the marriage ceremonies and celebrations in New York, Newport and London celebrating the union of Consuelo to the 23-year old Ninth Duke of Marlborough.