The Queen's Husband

Chapter XXIII A PROPOSAL FOR VICKY

As they walked in the gardens of Buckingham Palace arm in arm, Albert explained his plan to the Queen.

‘I want you to ask Prince Frederick of Prussia here for a visit … soon.’

‘But of course, Albert. That will be delightful. I love having visitors.’

‘This is rather more important than an ordinary visit,’ explained Albert. ‘I am thinking of Vicky.’

‘Vicky. And the Prince you mean? Vicky is only fourteen.’

‘It is very young,’ said the Prince. ‘Too young. But Fritz is twenty-four, which is not so young. I am afraid that if we wait too long a match might be made for him elsewhere.’

‘His mother was very pleased at the idea of a marriage between him and Vicky.’

‘Times change. Prussia has been aloof from the Crimean conflict. I should like to see Prussia and England close allies.’

‘Of course.’

‘I don’t trust Napoleon. I don’t trust the French.’

The Queen smiled at the memory of those delicious compliments Napoleon had whispered to her.

‘Don’t you, Albert?’

‘They are frivolous. One can’t trust them. The Emperor has tried to flatter us. I believe he should be watched. I am certain an alliance with Prussia is what we need. I want to see our Vicky on that throne.’

‘But fourteen, Albert!’

‘Oh, not yet, not yet. But why shouldn’t there be some understanding?’

‘A betrothal, you mean?’

‘An understanding. And then perhaps in a year …’

‘When she is fifteen.’

‘Two years perhaps …’

‘It’s heartbreaking when one’s children grow up,’ said the Queen; but she thought, if Vicky were not here I should see more of Albert. And she was vaguely pleased because it was he who had suggested the marriage which meant the departure of Vicky. Sometimes his doting on the child did irritate her. It was as though he thought there was no one in the world like his eldest daughter.

‘We will invite Fritz without delay,’ she said.

When Fritz arrived at Balmoral both the Queen and Albert were delighted with him.

‘He has not changed from that dear natural boy who took the children to your Exhibition, Albert,’ said the Queen, ‘except for his moustache which really makes him look so handsome and manly.’

Albert agreed; and it was so pleasant to be in the dear Highlands again with faithful servants like the head gillie John Grant, and John Brown who had a sort of uncouth charm which was very appealing.

Fritz was determined to make himself popular. He went stalking with Albert and showed his skill by bringing down a fine stag; he talked affectionately of his family to the Queen and of the army to the Prince of Wales; he played games with the younger children who all thought him wonderful; but of course his attention was focused on Vicky. He always seemed to be at her side; he wanted to talk to Vicky, alone if possible; he was always telling her about the Prussian Court and there was no doubt that Vicky was very interested.

Vicky had always been inclined to be a little coquettish, the Queen reminded herself, and had now and then been detected trying to call masculine attention to herself. Vicky was in a way as rebellious as the Prince of Wales but charmingly so. And Albert had only had to show his displeasure – he was hurt rather than angry at Vicky’s misdemeanours – for her to be immediately contrite. There was no doubt that the deep affection between Albert and Vicky was almost as strong on her side as on his; they had often been seen whispering together as though sharing some secret from which even the Queen was excluded.

Now Vicky was well aware that in Fritz’s eyes she was the most attractive member of the household – and she was revelling in the knowledge.

As for Fritz, he found Vicky attractive but she was only fourteen and he being twenty-four and not unworldly, he felt he must know her a little better before committing himself to marriage. But Vicky had always been old for her age; that was why poor Bertie had suffered so much in comparison; and in a few days Fritz was of the opinion that in view of her gay personality and her unusual intelligence she would make a very satisfactory wife.

He decided to speak to the Queen and Albert and chose breakfast time when they were alone.

The Queen said: ‘Well, Fritz, how are you enjoying Balmoral?’

Fritz said that he had never enjoyed a visit more. Then he plunged: ‘I want to ask your permission to talk to you on a very intimate matter.’

The Queen glanced at Albert who appeared to be almost aloof but was in fact very alert.

‘I have enjoyed being in the heart of your family,’ went on Fritz. ‘I should be very happy indeed if I might belong to it.’

The Queen’s eyes were filled with tears; she leaned towards him and taking his hand pressed it warmly.

‘My dear Fritz,’ she said, ‘it is a pleasure for us to welcome you into the family. Vicky is however only fourteen. There could not be any announcement yet.’

‘She is very young indeed,’ added Albert. ‘Next year she will be confirmed. Perhaps after that there might be a proposal. But I think Vicky should not be aware of these plans just yet.’

Fritz said he well understood. He hoped that he would be invited to come again later on and then he would make his formal proposal to Vicky.

‘That,’ said the Queen, ‘is what the Prince and I would desire more than anything.’

When they were alone together the Queen noticed how despondent Albert was. He looked quite ill. His rheumatism was very painful and yesterday he had found it difficult to hold a pen. The wig he occasionally wore to keep his head warm now accentuated the pallor of his skin. He was grieved of course at the prospect of his beloved daughter’s departure.

‘Of course it is what we want,’ the Queen reminded him.

‘Of course,’ said Albert sadly.

‘Stockmar sees no reason why the marriage should not take place quite soon. He thinks this alliance between us and Prussia to be essential to the strength of Europe. So … I suppose you agree with him.’

There was a little asperity in the Queen’s tone. She disliked Albert’s subservience to Stockmar. She could not bear Albert to care so much for people as he did for Stockmar … and of course Vicky. She felt it took away from her some of the love which should be hers. In her heart she knew that Albert was the very centre of her life. All the rest of her family together could not mean to her what he did. She was constantly trying to hide little jealousies and that was why her anger flared up.

‘Stockmar is one of the wisest men in the world.’

‘Only one of them?’ said the Queen ironically. ‘Sometimes I think he is more concerned with politics than human feelings. If Vicky does not love Fritz then I should not agree to the marriage.’

‘Do you think I would? My great desire is to see the child happy.’

‘No, I didn’t think so for a moment. You dote on her. That’s obvious. Perhaps that’s why you have been so harsh with Bertie. The poor child can’t help it because he is not Vicky.’

‘My dear love, what are you saying?’

‘Well you do favour her, don’t you? And she has been just as naughty as Bertie. She has at times been quite rebellious and coquettish with some of the equerries. I have had to reprimand her. And you, Albert, who set yourself up as being so calm, have just turned a blind eye to Vicky’s shortcomings. The child has been quite spoiled.’

‘You have been stern enough with her.’

‘Someone had to correct her. It’s no wonder that she adores her dearest Papa and thinks Mama a little cruel now and then.’

‘You are overwrought,’ said the Prince. ‘It is the thought of your daughter’s growing up, becoming almost a woman.’

She looked at him tearfully. ‘Yes, Albert, that is it.’ She held out her hand and he took it. ‘She will go away from us and this will no longer be her home … only a place she will visit. It’s sad, Albert.’

Albert was very sad. The idea of losing his beloved Vicky affected him more than it did Victoria. ‘It is the way of life, my love,’ he said mournfully.

‘And whatever comes, Albert, we have each other.’

‘That, my dear child, is something for which we must always be thankful.’

He smiled at her tenderly and happiness was restored.

Albert loved to organise the family whether it was hunting moths and butterflies, reading, climbing or acting the plays they enjoyed so much. As he felt better and his rheumatism had subsided he thought that a ride to Craig-na-Ban would be enjoyable. All the family, apart from the very young children, including Fritz, were to set out on their ponies accompanied by John Grant and good John Brown. They would go up into the hills on their ponies and a carriage would pick them up at a point to be decided on by the Prince.

They set out, Victoria and Albert leading; it was soon very clear that Vicky and Fritz were going to straggle.

The Queen and Albert exchanged significant glances.

‘As long as they are not out of sight,’ murmured Albert.

Vicky and Fritz were talking earnestly.

‘What a beautiful place,’ Fritz was saying.

‘Mama thinks it is the most beautiful in the world. Papa is enamoured of his Thuringian forest and loves this because he says it resembles it. Uncle Ernest said it was not in the least like Germany. What do you say?’

Fritz looked at her earnestly: ‘I can only give my attention to one thing at the moment.’

‘Fritz,’ cried Vicky, ‘you are not referring to me as a thing!’

Fritz laughed delightedly. She was bright and animated; who would believe she was only fourteen? She was almost ready for marriage – or would be in a year or so.

Fritz himself being twenty-four was impatient, and he realised that Vicky was well aware of this.

‘You will have to grow up quickly,’ he said.

‘I grew up at an early age,’ retorted Vicky. ‘And you know girls are said to mature earlier than men.’

‘What is the equivalent age in a woman compared with that of a man of say … twenty-four?’

Vicky pretended to consider. ‘That would depend. Eighteen shall we say, sixteen, in some cases perhaps fourteen.’

Vicky pressed her heel against the pony’s side and he trotted a little faster. Fritz came up to her and pressed a piece of white heather into her hand.

‘I just picked it,’ he said. ‘I am told it means good luck.’

‘Thank you, Fritz.’

‘Your good luck,’ he said soberly, ‘will be mine.’

‘Why?’ demanded Vicky.

‘Because,’ replied Fritz, ‘I hope that one day you will be my wife.’

Vicky opened her eyes very wide and stared at him. She had known of course why he had come and there had been many sly allusions from the members of the household. She was excited. Fritz was so handsome. And of course he would one day be King of Prussia.

‘Well,’ said Fritz, ‘are you surprised, horrified, shocked or perhaps a little pleased?’

‘Perhaps a little pleased would fit the case better than any of those other conditions you mentioned.’

Yes, thought Fritz, Vicky was certainly exciting. He was glad he had spoken and he did not think the Queen was going to be too displeased about that.

As soon as they returned to the castle Vicky went to her mother’s room.

‘My darling,’ cried the Queen and embraced her.

‘Oh, Mama, you know.’

The Queen smiled. ‘My love, I was aware of dear Fritz’s feelings for you. Papa and I had decided that he would be a good match for you. But you know that if you did not care for him we should never have forced you. He was not going to speak to you yet.’

‘I know, but it slipped out. Perhaps I wheedled it out of him.’

The Queen laughed.

‘Oh dear, dear Mama!’

‘There must of course be no wedding for some time. You would have to be seventeen.’

‘Oh, Mama, three years.’

The Queen laughed again so indulgently. ‘It is not very long, my dearest.’

‘Three whole years without Fritz!’

‘Oh, you have progressed so far already, have you?’

‘Well Mama, as soon as Fritz gave me the white heather I knew. I shall keep that piece of heather for ever.’

Albert came in. He must have heard Vicky’s arrival.

Vicky flew into her father’s arms and the Queen felt a twinge as she saw the tender expression in Albert’s eyes.

‘So, my love, you have forestalled us all, eh?’ said Albert.

‘Papa, dearest Papa. I have just thought of something dreadful. When I marry Fritz I shall have to leave you.’

‘My love, it is the way of the world. A daughter must leave her parents and cleave to her husband.’

‘But, Papa, to leave you …’ There was a brief pause and Vicky seemed suddenly to be aware of her mother. ‘And Mama …’ she added.

‘My dear,’ said the Queen, ‘you shall visit us often and perhaps Papa and I will visit you. But I have been telling her, Albert, that there can be no marriage yet. She seems to have forgotten that she is a child of fourteen.’

‘You were very young when you married Papa.’

‘Not fourteen, nor even seventeen. I was nearly twenty.’

‘How old!’ wailed Vicky.

‘Your Papa and I were in love just as you and Fritz are. But of course I had great responsibilities, which you will have later. But you will have a husband to stand beside you. I had no one until your father came. And what a difference that made to me!’

‘I can only hope,’ said Albert, ‘that you, dear daughter, will be as happy as your mother and I have been.’

Fritz left a few days later, already engaged to Vicky; and the two people behaved like a young couple deeply in love. There were tears at their parting and Albert sat down to tell his friend Stockmar all about it, knowing that the news would cheer him greatly. It was always so pleasant when those for whom marriages had been arranged obligingly fell in love.

‘The young people are ardently in love,’ he wrote. ‘An abundance of tears was shed at their parting.’

As for himself he was ‘tortured and tormented by rheumatism and could hardly hold the pen’.

The Queen came in while he was writing.

‘Writing to the Baron?’ she said. ‘Well, he will be delighted, and you are because he is.’

‘I am glad that he will be pleased but chiefly I am glad for our daughter. I am sure this is the best possible match for her.’

‘We can no longer treat her as a child. This has turned her into a woman overnight.’

‘She is still the same little Vicky.’

‘Oh, no, she is not. She is soon going to be a wife. I do hope she does not start having children too soon.’

‘My love, that is a matter for the future.’

‘I can’t bear to think of our child being submitted to that ordeal too soon.’

‘We shall hope that in due course she gives Prussia an heir.’

‘But not too soon, I trust,’ said the Queen.

‘Oh, she will delight in children.’

‘But not in bearing them. Men never understand what we have to suffer. I know, Albert. I do happen to have experienced it eight times. I don’t really think I could endure it again.’

Albert could see that she was working herself up into a passion and did his best to soothe her.

‘Perhaps you will not have to, my child,’ he said.

She softened at the term of endearment. Dear Albert, she must not upset him; and he did look worn and wan. She knew that his rheumatism was very painful.

It was impossible to keep the matter of Vicky’s betrothal secret. The press wanted to know what Fritz had been doing at Balmoral. Clearly his visit had had some ulterior motive; the Princess Royal was destined to marry a German – just as her mother had!

The Princess was confirmed and, thought her mother, looked so touchingly innocent in her pure white dress and she made her responses perfectly. Yes indeed, Vicky was no longer a child.

‘It is always Germans,’ said the press. And who was this Prince Frederick William of Prussia? The heir to a little German kingdom! It was obvious whose hand was in this. Once Germans had a foot in at the door they were ready to take charge of the house.

The Prussians resented the English attitude and there were comments in their press. Why all this fuss? Who was their future King marrying? The Princess Royal of England! They would first like to know what dowry was offered before they crowed too much about its being a good match, and if she married the Prince, the Princess Royal would have to come to Germany to do so.

When the Queen heard this she was furious.

‘I suppose you agree with this!’ she accused Albert. ‘After all you are a German. And Stockmar too, I suppose he thinks it is right and proper for an English Princess to be overawed at the prospect of marrying into Prussia! If it is too much trouble for a Prince of Prussia to come over here to marry the daughter of the Queen of England, he had better not come at all.’

‘Now,’ soothed Albert, ‘you are getting worked up again. There is no need to. Of course Fritz will come over here for the wedding.’