Soon I would talk to him alone. I would discuss with him my opinion of Albert … of both princes… but just for a while I wanted to keep my thoughts to myself. I was bemused and yet certain. There would never be anyone quite so perfect as Albert. I had no doubt of it. Uncle Leopold was so clever; he had known who would be just the right one for me.
Albert and his brother spoke English well. Clever Uncle Leopold had insisted on their being proficient in that language. Of course they had German accents but that did not prevent their being understood perfectly.
We talked of many things during that ride but chiefly of music. Albert had composed a little. How clever of him! It was just what I would have expected. And I was longing to hear some of his very own music. He also spoke most lovingly of Rosenau, the place where he had been born, and which had been the home he loved best, which showed genuine sentiment and sensitivity.
He made me long to see it.
I returned to the castle more in love than ever. There I had my first talk, after the arrival of the cousins, with Lord Melbourne.
I said, “I want to tell you what I think of my cousins.”
Lord Melbourne smiled at me very tenderly. “I can make a good guess,” he said. “Your Majesty was never one to conceal her feelings.”
“Do you think Albert is handsome?”
“Undoubtedly. Very handsome. And his brother has fine dark eyes.”
“Albert's are blue.”
“That is absolutely true.”
“And he is much more handsome than his brother. At least I think so.”
“I did note Your Majesty's opinion. I think Ernest is a very clever young man from what I have been able to observe so far.”
“Oh, but not as clever as Albert.”
“I should think Ernest possibly has the better brain.”
I turned on him angrily and saw the glint in his eyes. He was teasing me, of course. But he really should not do so on such a serious matter.
“I see that Your Majesty has changed her mind a little regarding marriage,” he said.
I smiled at him. “Yes, dear Lord M, I have.”
He nodded. “That was my inference. I daresay you will not wish to delay the marriage.”
“I see no reason for delay. Do you?”
“None whatever. As Your Majesty has made up her mind and is so well satisfied, the sooner the marriage takes place the better. I take it the Prince will be of the same mind as ourselves.”
I was silent and Lord Melbourne went on, “Oh, is he not yet aware of his happy fate?”
“It presents a certain difficulty. Albert would never act rashly, nor would he disregard etiquette.”
“But of course Your Majesty does not always follow it…if I may be so bold as to say so.”
“You have never hesitated to say what you mean, my dear Lord M. That is why our association has been of such value to me.”
He bowed his head slightly. “You will agree that there will have to be a proposal.”
“I see you understand the difficulty.”
“Indeed I do, and I am sure Your Majesty will overcome it. Then we shall have a royal wedding. That is just what is needed now. The people will love it.”
“They are not exactly in love with me just now.”
“All the world is in love with a bride…particularly a royal one. Let us have a wedding and you will see.”
“I no longer feel the same about the people. I shall never forget how cruel they were to me… and they threw a stone at my carriage.”
“They will throw kisses and cheers on your wedding day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
I smiled at him lovingly. What a comfort he was! But he was looking a little tired and I had not realized how old he looked. Of course he was old.
I suppose I was comparing him with Albert and his radiant youth and beauty.
Dear Lord M! I should always love him and cherish the memory of those years when we had been together. But already I was moving away from him. I should have another with whom I would discuss my difficulties, another who would share my personal burdens as well as those of state.
How wonderful it was to be in love! And what a change it was going to make.
* * *
I HAD MADE up my mind. There was one thing to do. Albert dared not ask me to marry him because I was a queen and he was only a prince of a minor dukedom … and not even his father's eldest son. I must propose to him.
It was the twelfth of October. Another memorable day. We had been out hunting and when we came back to the castle I asked him to come into the Blue Closet. He came in expectantly. He must have guessed what was going to happen.
I said to him, “Albert, I think you must be aware of the reason for my asking you to come. It would make me very happy if you would consent to what I wish, and I believe you do… and that is for us to marry.”
Dear Albert! His joy was intense; and there was relief in it too. Uncle Leopold had been right when he had said Albert was uncertain of me.
Well, he need be so no longer.
Albert forgot his English then and I was glad. He told me in German how happy he was, and that above all things he wanted to spend his life with me.
We embraced with the utmost tenderness.
I had never been so happy in the whole of my life, and when we left the Blue Closet, I was betrothed to Albert.
* * *
WHAT GLORIOUS DAYS they were! We rode together, walked, sang, and danced. Our voices blended perfectly and I loved to sing those songs—all with such beautiful sentiments—which Albert had composed himself. I could see that we were going to be very happy together. We discussed the wedding which could not take place immediately, but we thought it might do so early in the New Year. Albert had to return with his brother to Saxe-Coburg, and because of the importance of a marriage like ours there was a great deal to be settled before the actual ceremony.
Albert was, of course, more restrained than I, but I felt no inclination to pretend that I felt anything but love for this supreme being. I would come up behind him when he was sitting and kiss the top of his head; and when we parted call him back for one more kiss. My love seemed to be overflowing and I saw no reason for stemming it.
Lehzen thought I was too effusive. Poor Lehzen! Was she a little jealous? I often caught a half-smiling look in Lord Melbourne's eyes, and I knew he was a little amused by my exuberance.
Well, I was as I was, and it was not in my nature to hide my feelings. I think Albert, at times, was faintly embarrassed—when we were with others—at my displays of affection. Dear Albert, he was a little bemused by his good fortune, I think. I was three months older than he was and a queen. My rank must have been the reason why I behaved naturally and did not have to worry so much about what people were thinking of me. My uncles had done what they liked and what was natural to them; that was why some of them had been called eccentric. I was not exactly that. I merely betrayed my feelings—and I could see no wrong in doing that.
There came the sad day when Albert had to say goodbye.
“It will not be for long,” I assured him. “Then we shall be together for the rest of our lives.”
The days seemed flat without him; but there was so much to do for the wedding.
Lord Melbourne said he would draw up a Declaration for me to read to the Privy Council, so that they could all be told formally of my intentions.
It was rather comforting to be sitting with Lord Melbourne in the Blue Closet, which would never be the same again because within its walls I had proposed to Albert.
I could not resist telling Lord Melbourne about it and how it had been a rather embarrassing thing to do. “But poor Albert would never have proposed to me. Someone had to do it.”
“I told you you would, did I not?”
“Oh yes, you did. There may be other occasions when similar situations arise. Albert will have to remember that I am the Queen.”
Lord Melbour
ne gave me one of those wry side glances and said, “I am sure Albert will remember that because he will not be allowed to forget.”
“There are times, Lord M,” I said, “when I feel you do not have enough appreciation for Albert.”
Lord Melbourne was silent and I stamped my foot and insisted, “Am I right, Lord Melbourne?”
“Dare I tell Your Majesty that I think he is very young and perhaps inexperienced.”
“Everyone is inexperienced at first. Albert will support me with all his might. He is so good.”
“Oh yes, he is indeed a very virtuous young man.”
“And we shall have you at hand, my dearest Lord M.”
Then he gave me that sad look which meant that he was thinking of the Tories.
“Dear Lord M,” I said, “I am afraid I have been absentminded, a little gruffish, lately.”
He smiled at me sweetly. “It is natural,” he said.
“I have a little miniature that Ross did of Albert. I am having it put into a bracelet, which I shall wear always.”
“I hope it is a good likeness.”
“It does not do him justice. I remember what you said about Ross's liking to make people worse because it was such fun. I don't think it is fun at all. I think it is rather silly. But nobody could have painted a picture of Albert that would have been half good enough.”
He regarded me with his head on one side and with that tenderness that always moved me. Dear Lord Melbourne! Although I loved Albert, there would always be a place in my heart for my Prime Minister.
* * *
HOW DELIGHTED I was to read Uncle Leopold's letter! His joy shone out of every line.
My dearest Victoria,
Nothing could have given me greater pleasure than your dear letter. I had, when I saw your decision, almost the feeling of Zacharias—‘Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace.'
You will find in Albert just the very qualities and dispositions which are indispensable for your happiness and will suit your own character, temper, and mode of life…Albert's position will be a difficult one but much, I may say, will depend on your affection for him.
Lord Melbourne has shown himself the amiable and excellent man I always took him for. Another man in his position, instead of your happiness might have merely looked to his own personal views and imaginary interests. Not so our good friend; he saw what was best for you, and I feel it deeply to his praise…
I was so delighted with the letter, and as it was so complimentary to Lord Melbourne, I showed it to him. He had always been a little suspicious of Uncle Leopold, so I thought it a good idea to let him see that my uncle at least had a very good opinion of him.
Lord Melbourne's comment was, “Simeon, I believe… not Zacharias.”
“What?” I demanded.
“Lord now lettest Thou Thy servant…”
I smiled at him. That was so like him.
“I am so pleased,” I said, “that my dear Uncle Leopold has got what he wanted.”
“What pleased me,” said Lord M, “is that Your Gracious Majesty has got what she wants.”
He then went on to talk about letting people know that I had decided to marry.
* * *
I DRESSED MYSELF in one of my plainest gowns. I did not want to look in the least frivolous. I wore my bracelet to which had been attached the miniature of Albert. Then I was ready for the ordeal.
They all looked up at me. I imagined they saw the picture on my wrist. They would be aware that I was holding Lord Melbourne's Declaration and that would tell them the reason why I had come.
Anything Lord Melbourne wrote was always gracefully worded in elegant prose, and so was this. It was a pleasure to read his composition. I told them that I had decided to marry and whom, and that the marriage would be celebrated very shortly.
When I had read the Declaration I walked out of the Council Chamber.
Lord Melbourne came to see me a little later. He was mildly disturbed. I had never seen him more than mildly so even during the Flora Hastings trouble, so I guessed that something rather important had happened.
“It is my fault,” he said. “I did not think it necessary to say that Prince Albert is a Protestant. The Press are making a merry to-do about this. They are saying he is a Catholic, and that it will not be tolerated for a ruler of this country to marry outside the Reformed Faith.”
“But Albert is of the Reformed Faith. How could they possibly think he is a Catholic?”
“Your Uncle Leopold has made a point of marrying his relations all over Europe, and some of those advantageous marriages have been with Catholics. They are suggesting that as no mention was made of the Reformed Faith, Albert may be one of those who has collapsed into Catholicism.”
“That can easily be put right.”
“True. But it shows the temper of the people who are determined to make our way difficult.”
“Why are people so unkind?”
“In the case of the Press they want to sell papers so they are hunting for all sorts of spectacular tidbits. In the case of the Tories, they want to put obstacles in our way. They want to raise issues we have to defend and they are hoping that there will come a time when they will defeat us and make it imperative for us to go to the country.”
I shivered.
“Please, Lord Melbourne, let them know that Albert is a firm adherent of the Reformed Faith.”
“With all speed,” said Lord Melbourne.
I should have been prepared for more trouble.
Although it was easy to prove that Albert was not, and never had been, a Catholic—he was a Lutheran in fact and most certainly therefore of the Reformed Faith—there were other objections. I really believe there are some people who hate to contemplate the happiness of others.
One would have thought that my Uncle Cumberland, now that he was King of Hanover, would have been content to give up all thought of plaguing me. I was no longer a newcomer to the throne; I was the anointed Queen of England—but he was one who never gave up hope.
Naturally I had decided that Albert should be beside me at all ceremonies, and that meant he would take precedence over everyone else at Court, and that he would come before my uncles in order of importance. The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex understood this and accepted it as natural; but of course Cumberland had to object. He was not only a duke, he was a king; he was the son of my grandfather George III, and but for the ill fortune which had brought my father into the world before him, he would now be on the throne of England. That fact had rankled him throughout his life, and he now began to stir up trouble. He referred slightingly to Albert as a Paper Highness; and he persuaded Cambridge and Sussex to fall in with him.
I was furious and especially so when I heard that the Tories were standing with the dukes. How I loathed Sir Robert Peel—the horrid hypocrite, always pretending to be so good and stirring up trouble for me. When the Duke of Wellington supported him, I was really disgusted and declared that I never wanted to see that old man again.
I had suffered from their insensitivity before, but I had never felt so enraged against them as I did now when their venom was directed at Albert.
Uncle Leopold, having attained his heart's desire, was now writing telling me what must be done. Albert should have a peerage, he said.
When I showed his letter to Lord Melbourne he retorted, “Parliament would never agree to that. They would be afraid that if he were in the Lords he would attempt to rule the country. They do not forget that he is a German.”
I knew they did not forget. They referred to him in the Press as the German Princeling.
I said to Lord Melbourne, “They seem to think that no one is any good unless they are English.”
“A common trait among nations,” he commented.
“They are saying that there have been too many Germans in the royal family.”
“There have been a large number since the coming of George the First.”
“What would people have? Stuar
ts? I cannot remember that they were so good for the country. One of them brought about a civil war. Is that what they want?”
“Nations never want what they have, and look back nostalgically to those days which seem rosy because they are too far back to be seen clearly.”
“I do wish they would be reasonable.”
“That is what we must all try to be.”
“Albert is worthy of the highest rank. I shall defy them all by making him King Consort.”
Lord Melbourne looked at me with that half tender, half exasperated look I knew so well.
“That could never be,” he said quietly. “Parliament cannot confer kingship.”
“And why not?” I retorted. “Since Albert will be the husband of the Queen, does not that make him a king?”
“No, Ma'am, it does not. He is a prince and cannot be anything else. If you allow Parliament to make kings, you could not be surprised if now and then they decided to un make them.”
“The French did. And what of Charles the First?”
“Your Majesty cannot be thinking of revolutions and civil wars. We want none of those here. There is no question regarding this matter. Prince Albert cannot be King Consort.”
“He cannot have a peerage! He cannot be a king! Then what can he be?”
“What he will be, Ma'am, is the Queen's husband.”
I talked about his allowance. Lord Melbourne said that it was customary to give the monarch's consort £50,000 a year, and he would ask the Parliament to agree to this. I was a little mollified because I knew that Albert was by no means rich. He had only £2,500 a year, so £50,000 would be wealth to him.
I longed to write and tell him that he was going to be rich. I was so certain that there would be no impediment, that I almost did. Lord Melbourne had reminded me that £50,000 had been awarded to Queen Anne's husband, George of Denmark, and to William of Orange, consort of Queen Mary, although William of Orange was, of course, a king in his own right.
Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria Page 26