unclouded. But life has its thorns in every position, and the consciousness of having used one’s powers and endeavours for an object so great as that of promoting the good of so many, will surely be sufficient to support me.”
Of the character of the Prince at this time, perhaps the best analysis is to be found in a letter addressed by Baron Stockmar to the Baroness Lehzen. It was important to give a proper estimate of him to the members of the Royal Household, and to show that, though so young, he was deserving of their admiration and respect. The letter is dated 15th of December, 1839. “.With sincere pleasure I assure you the more I see of the Prince the better I esteem and love him. His intellect is so sound and clear, his nature so unspoiled, so childlike, so predisposed to goodness as well as truth, that only two external elements will be required to make of him a truly distinguished Prince. The first of these will be opportunity to acquire a proper knowledge of men and of the world; the second will be intercourse with Englishmen of experience, culture, and integrity, by whom he may be made thoroughly conversant with their Nation and Constitution… As regards his future relation to the Queen, I have a confident hope that they will make each other happy by mutual love, confidence, and esteem. As I have known the Queen, she was always quick and acute in her perceptions, straightforward moreover, of singular purity of heart, without a trace of vanity or pretension. She will consequently do full justice to the Prince’s hand and heart; and if this be so, and the Prince be really loved by the Queen, and recognised for what he is, then his position will be right in the main, especially if he manage at the same time to secure the goodwill of the Nation. Of course he will have storms to encounter, and disagreeables, like other people, especially those of exalted rank. But if he really possesses the love of the Queen and the respect of the Nation, I will answer for it that after every storm he will come safely into port. You will therefore have my entire approval, if you think the best course is to leave him to his clear head, his sound feeling and excellent disposition.”
On the 20th of November, 1839, the Queen, who had already communicated to all the members of the Royal Family the news of her intended marriage, came up from Windsor to Buckingham Palace to confer with Lord Melbourne upon the form of the declaration to be made to the Privy Council at its meeting on the 23rd. On that day the Council, upwards of eighty in number, assembled in the bow-room at the Palace, where the Queen read the following declaration: “I have caused you to be summoned at the present time in order that I may acquaint you with my resolution in a matter which deeply concerns the welfare of my people, and the happiness of my future life. It is my intention to ally myself in marriage with the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Deeply impressed with the solemnity of the engagement which I am about to contract, I have not come to this decision without mature consideration, nor without feeling a strong assurance that with the blessing of Almighty God it will at once secure my domestic felicity and serve the interests of my country.
“I have thought fit to make this resolution known to you at the earliest period, in order that you may be apprised of a matter so highly important to me and to my kingdom, and which, I persuade myself, will be most acceptable to all my loving subjects.”
“Whereupon,” it is stated in the Minutes of Council, “all the Privy Councillors present made it their humble request to Her Majesty that Her Majesty’s most gracious declaration to them might be made public; which Her Majesty was pleased to order accordingly.”
The announcement of the forthcoming marriage was hailed with great rejoicing through the country. Mixed with the cordial sympathy felt by the people with the prospect of the happiness of
Of the character of the Prince at this time, perhaps the best analysis is to be found in a letter addressed by Baron Stockmar to the Baroness Lehzen. It was important to give a proper estimate of him to the members of the Royal Household, and to show that, though so young, he was deserving of their admiration and respect. The letter is dated 15th of December, 1839. “.With sincere pleasure I assure you the more I see of the Prince the better I esteem and love him. His intellect is so sound and clear, his nature so unspoiled, so childlike, so predisposed to goodness as well as truth, that only two external elements will be required to make of him a truly distinguished Prince. The first of these will be opportunity to acquire a proper knowledge of men and of the world; the second will be intercourse with Englishmen of experience, culture, and integrity, by whom he may be made thoroughly conversant with their Nation and Constitution… As regards his future relation to the Queen, I have a confident hope that they will make each other happy by mutual love, confidence, and esteem. As I have known the Queen, she was always quick and acute in her perceptions, straightforward moreover, of singular purity of heart, without a trace of vanity or pretension. She will consequently do full justice to the Prince’s hand and heart; and if this be so, and the Prince be really loved by the Queen, and recognised for what he is, then his position will be right in the main, especially if he manage at the same time to secure the goodwill of the Nation. Of course he will have storms to encounter, and disagreeables, like other people, especially those of exalted rank. But if he really possesses the love of the Queen and the respect of the Nation, I will answer for it that after every storm he will come safely into port. You will therefore have my entire approval, if you think the best course is to leave him to his clear head, his sound feeling and excellent disposition.”
On the 20th of November, 1839, the Queen, who had already communicated to all the members of the Royal Family the news of her intended marriage, came up from Windsor to Buckingham Palace to confer with Lord Melbourne upon the form of the declaration to be made to the Privy Council at its meeting on the 23rd. On that day the Council, upwards of eighty in number, assembled in the bow-room at the Palace, where the Queen read the following declaration: “I have caused you to be summoned at the present time in order that I may acquaint you with my resolution in a matter which deeply concerns the welfare of my people, and the happiness of my future life. It is my intention to ally myself in marriage with the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Deeply impressed with the solemnity of the engagement which I am about to contract, I have not come to this decision without mature consideration, nor without feeling a strong assurance that with the blessing of Almighty God it will at once secure my domestic felicity and serve the interests of my country.
“I have thought fit to make this resolution known to you at the earliest period, in order that you may be apprised of a matter so highly important to me and to my kingdom, and which, I persuade myself, will be most acceptable to all my loving subjects.”
“Whereupon,” it is stated in the Minutes of Council, “all the Privy Councillors present made it their humble request to Her Majesty that Her Majesty’s most gracious declaration to them might be made public; which Her Majesty was pleased to order accordingly.”
The announcement of the forthcoming marriage was hailed with great rejoicing through the country. Mixed with the cordial sympathy felt by the people with the prospect of the happiness of
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