Indiscretions of the Queen

Caroline the Queene

On the sunny noon of June 6th, Caroline arrived at Dover.

She had said goodbye to Pergami who had returned to Pesaro where he bought a house and busied himself with clearing up Caroline’s affairs there.

Sir Matthew Wood had taken over Pergami’s duties and she was now as affectionate towards him as she had been to Pergami.

No one at Dover had been advised of her arrival and when the Commander of the garrison came down to the shore to discover who this important personage was and found her to be the Queen, he ordered a royal salute to be fired. The people came running out of their houses and when the rumour went round that the Queen had come, they cheered her and were determined to give her a good welcome.

She had not come to stay, she told them in her friendly manner; she was on her way to London. And after a brief stay in the town she set out for Canterbury.

News had reached Canterbury that the Queen was on her way and as it was dark by the time she and her suite arrived the townsfolk had lined the streets and stood with flambeaux to light her way and cheer her as she came. The landlord at the Fountain Inn had prepared a feast for the travellers and there they stayed the night. As they ate Caroline heard the shouts: ‘Long live the Queen.’

‘Ah,’ she cried, ‘at least the people are glad to see me.’ The next day there was waving of flags and more loyal greetings as she set out for London.

All along the route she was vociferously welcomed. At Gravesend and Deptford eager helpers were waiting to change the horses. The people of Blackheath were particularly determined to show her how glad they were to have her back. Many remembered her kindness to them when she had lived among them.

Some of them joined the party and rode with her into the Capital.

She had received no reply from Lord Liverpool and no place had been put at her disposal. Sir Matthew however had suggested that she make use of his house in South Audley Street until some suitable residence was offered her.

Into London she rode, triumphant and acclaimed. Next to her in her open carriage was Sir Matthew Wood and opposite her Lady Anne Hamilton. In the first of the carriages which followed sat Willikin, and other members of her entourage followed, some of them Italians, who looked on the scene with wonder.

Flags were waved and the people shouted long life to her. This was indeed an affectionate welcome home.

There was one spectator who looked on in horror. The King had gone to one of the small windows on the top floor of Carlton House where he would be able to watch unseen. He had asked his sister Mary to accompany him so that he would have a member of the family at his side.

‘Oh, God,’ he whispered, ‘how vulgar she is— even more so than I remembered! I cannot accept her as the Queen. The thought that she is considered to be my wife nauseates me.’

Mary whispered comfort and the magic word: Divorce.

‘We’ll get the evidence,’ he said. ‘There can’t be a doubt of it. Soon I shall be free.’