The Queen's Husband

Chapter VI THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

On the third day after the wedding, the honeymoon was over and the Duchess of Kent arrived at Windsor accompanied by Albert’s brother and father.

Albert was delighted to see them; he felt that his father and brother would give him support; as for the Duchess, she made a special point of being gracious to him, telling him that she felt already that she had another son. Being indiscreet she hinted that Victoria was not the most grateful of daughters but that she had been led astray by a certain person – not very far from them at this moment, and indeed never very far from the Queen – and this was a matter of great grief to her.

Albert knew that the Duchess’s enemy was the Baroness Lehzen and he was beginning to regard that tiresome woman as his also, which made a bond between him and his mother-in-law.

The Duchess put her finger to her lips in a conspiratorial gesture when she told him this; and as they could talk in German, which came easier to the Duchess than English in spite of the years she had lived in England, they understood each other very well.

They were allies from the very beginning.

It seemed that the entire Court was soon invading the privacy of Windsor. Lord Melbourne arrived and the effect this had on Victoria was startling. If he had been her own father she could not have treated him with greater respect and affection. She called him her dear Prime Minister and affectionately Lord M; they were always talking together; and often she would be alone in one of the closets with him, or they would walk together in the gardens.

The Duchess told Albert confidentially that Victoria was rather impulsive and had become attached to Lord Melbourne as she was inclined to do with certain people. Perhaps Albert might suggest to her at some time that there was no need to be quite so friendly with any of her ministers.

In less than a week after the wedding Victoria and Albert were back in London. There were levees and receptions and Albert was beginning to feel more and more wretched every day.

Now that the glamour of the wedding was over the press was looking critically at Albert and unpleasant cartoons and lampoons were appearing each day. Some said that Albert had come over to help himself to English gold; others said the Queen was master in the house and the Prince merely there for one purpose.

There were even unpleasant and rather coarse sketches on the stage concerning the royal pair. One comment was that they were seen walking early in the morning following the bridal night, and this was not the way to provide the country with a Prince of Wales. But money was the main theme of these comments. The Coburgs had a reputation for easing themselves into the best positions in Europe. Albert was accused of being greedy, of trying to snatch the crown from Victoria’s head, of selling himself to the Queen of England for £30,000 a year which was a fortune to a man who had only £2,500.

It was humiliating. In his father’s kingdom it would not have been allowed.

‘We cannot interfere with the liberty of the press,’ Victoria told him. ‘Lord Melbourne is constantly saying this.’

‘So we have to accept these coarse libels?’

‘They have always been, Albert. We must forget them.’

‘That,’ he said coolly, ‘is very difficult.’

‘My dearest Albert, I assure you when these things are said of you it hurts me far more than when they are said of me.’

He embraced her. ‘You are a good wife,’ he told her.

‘That is what I want to be. I shall strive all my life to please you, Albert.’

How could he help feeling hopeful when she said such things, for she was so frank and she always meant what she said.

The cynical new version of the National Anthem did not exactly displease him. They were singing it in the streets now; and often he heard the words whispered below those of the original ones.

God save sweet Vic, mine Queen

Long live mine little Queen,

God save de Queen.

Albert is victorious

De Coburgs now are glorious

All so notorious

God save the Queen.

Ah, Melbourne, soon arise

To get me de supplies

My means are small.

Confound Peel’s politics

Frustrate de Tory tricks

At dem now go like bricks

God damn dem all.

The greatest gifts in store

On me be pleased to pour,

And let me reign.

Mine Vic has vowed today

To honour and obey

And I will have de sway

Albert de King.

He was not sure whether he would rather be thought of as a man scheming for a kingdom or as a helpless boy who must obey his wife.

They were back in Buckingham Palace. Victoria was happy and did not understand that Albert was not entirely so. Her days were fully occupied. There were always state papers awaiting her signature; there were interviews with Lord Melbourne; there were secret conferences with Baroness Lehzen and there was Albert. She told him that the happiest part of the day was when they walked together in the garden, arm in arm, and the dogs gambolled around. She feared darling Dash was getting rather old. He didn’t play quite as madly as he used to; but perhaps she was comparing him with dearest Albert’s lovely Eos.

There was always music. How she loved this shared interest! She would listen enraptured while Albert played something from Haydn – one of his favourite composers; and when they sang a duet together that was perfect bliss.

‘Our voices are in complete harmony, dear Albert, as everything else about us.’

But he had his doubts. He was horrified that she scarcely knew the names of any trees or plants. ‘Oh, is it?’ she would say happily when he told her. The birds were unknown to her. She could not tell the difference between a blackbird and a thrush.

‘How have you been educated?’ he demanded in tender exasperation.

‘Oh, dear Daisy and I were never very interested in that sort of thing.’

‘Daisy! You mean Baroness Lehzen. That is surely not her name.’

‘It is my name for her. I christened her. I think it is a dear delightful name and suits her. I used to call her Mother once, for that was how I thought of her, but somehow that did not seem quite right.’

‘It certainly does not,’ said Albert severely.

‘Oh, dear Albert, you are so easily shocked. Which is right, of course,’ she added hastily. ‘I fear you are very good.’

‘Goodness is nothing to fear, dear angel.’

‘It is something to strive for, I know, Albert. But you are so very good.’

‘I am a little grieved that you and your mother seem to be on bad terms.’

‘Oh, Mama can be very trying.’

‘My dearest Victoria, I am pained to hear you talk thus of your mother.’

‘Dear Albert, if you could know what it was like at Kensington before I became Queen. I was more or less a prisoner. And Mama was constantly quarrelling with my uncle King William and his wife. And you know Aunt Adelaide is the sweetest woman. She would never quarrel with anyone unless they forced her to it; and believe me, Mama did. There have been occasions when I have been really ashamed.’

‘My love, we both wish to obey the commandments I believe, and there is one which begins – “Honour thy father and thy mother”.’

‘My dear love, you are so good yourself that you cannot conceive how tiresome some people can be. Now we will talk of something else because I am weary of the subject.’

There spoke the Queen. Not, Albert, please let us talk of something else, but we will.

He would have to explain that he must have some authority in his own home. He was not here just as a means of giving her an heir to the throne. He was a man; he was a husband; and although she might be Queen, she was also his wife.

But she was rattling on now about dear Lord Melbourne. He was looking older, she thought, and she feared he tired himself out. She was going to speak to him very severely because he obviously did not take enough care of himself.

Albert thought she saw a little too much of Lord Melbourne. Was it necessary?

‘My dear Albert, it is absolutely necessary for me to be continually in touch with my Prime Minister. I am the Queen.’

‘We cannot forget that,’ said Albert with some irony which was lost on her.

She must return to her work, she told him; there were state papers to be looked through and signed.

‘Albert, my love, you have no idea of the amount of papers I have to read.’

‘No,’ said Albert, ‘but I should if you would show me and perhaps let me help you.’

‘Why, Albert, how very kind of you!’

He was elated. He only had to ask and she would allow him to read state documents, to discuss them with her. He would be admitted to those conferences which took place in the closet between her and Lord Melbourne.

But how different it was! She was seated at her table. ‘Dear Albert, draw up a chair and sit beside me. There. That is very cosy. Here is the blotting paper. When I sign you can blot them for me and make a neat little pile.’

‘But you must read the papers, surely?’

She laughed delightedly. ‘Oh, I have already discussed all these matters with my Prime Minister. All that has to be done now is sign the papers. And it is such a help to have you there with the blotting paper.’

So that was what sharing meant. He had become a sort of clerk to blot what his employer wrote. That was his sole duty; the contents of the documents to which she put her name were a mystery to him.

He was constantly on the point of explaining to her; in his room he rehearsed what he would say. He would speak out; he would tell her that he felt wretchedly inadequate and he would go on feeling so if he were to be useless.

He discussed the matter with his father and brother. He was safely married now, was their advice; it was for him to tell his wife that he wished to be taken into her confidence.

‘Why,’ said Ernest, ‘she adores you. You only have to ask for what you want.’

But they had only seen his loving little wife; they did not know Victoria the Queen.

Was he afraid of her? That seemed absurd … she was so tiny; and she was so appealing in her devotion. How strange that he could not tell her exactly what was in his mind. He always thought he could; it was only when he was face to face with her that he could not bring himself to explain that he was far from happy.

He felt quite angry when on one occasion he went into his room to find the Baroness leaning against the table while the Queen sat at her desk. The Baroness held some papers in her hands and she had obviously been discussing them with the Queen.

So … the Baroness knew what was in those state papers which were to be kept secret from him!

He turned away and walked out of the room.

‘Was that Albert?’ said Victoria.

Lehzen nodded.

‘But why did he go away?’ demanded Victoria.

‘I daresay he wished to see you alone.’

‘But I was really alone. You don’t count, dear Daisy. By which I mean that you count so much … if you understand what I mean.’

Lehzen said she understood exactly what her precious love meant and was happy because of it.

‘I heard you last evening at dinner,’ said Victoria with a laugh, ‘telling your neighbour how perfect I am.’

‘I told nothing but the truth,’ declared Lehzen stoutly.

‘Albert thinks me a little frivolous,’ said the Queen.

Lehzen flushed angrily. ‘Indeed.’

‘Darling Daisy, you must not be angry with my dear Albert. He only criticises for my good.’

‘There is nothing … absolutely nothing to criticise.’

‘Oh, come, Lehzen, you do sometimes yourself a bit you know.’

‘I will not allow anyone else to.’

Victoria laughed and threw her arms about the Baroness’s neck.

‘Dear, dear Daisy, how lucky I am to have both you and Albert to love me so much.’

‘Nobody on earth loves you as I do,’ said Lehzen.

Victoria felt it was a faint criticism of Albert which she must not allow – but of course it was only said out of dearest Lehzen’s excessive loyalty.

A few days later Albert said that he wondered about the manner in which her household was managed. There seemed to be a certain amount of overlapping.

‘Overlapping, dear Albert what do you mean?’

‘Several people doing the same job.’

‘Oh, that is Lehzen’s affair. She sees to everything.’

‘Well, it doesn’t appear that she sees with any great efficiency.’

‘She prides herself on the way she looks after me and won’t let anyone worry me.’

‘Well, I will make doubly sure that no one does.’

‘My dearest Albert, how very good you are. I was only saying today to dear Lehzen how fortunate I am. But you must not interfere with Lehzen’s affairs. She would be most put out.’

‘But, my dear Victoria, I should enjoy looking into some of the domestic arrangements at the palace. It would give me something to do.’

‘My dear energetic Albert, please do anything you wish, but you must not interfere with Lehzen’s domain. She would be so hurt. I forbid that.’

She spoke jokingly, but the edge was there.

He must mind his own business. He was rapidly learning that his duty was to be available whenever the Queen wished, to play at being the ideal husband, to provide an heir to the throne.

He left her and shut himself in his room to write letters to those friends, like Uncle Leopold, who might understand his feelings.

‘I am the husband,’ he wrote sadly, ‘but not the master of the house.’

In less than a fortnight after the wedding Albert’s father prepared to leave for Coburg.

‘You are settled here now, my son,’ he said, ‘and I have my dominions to govern. Cheer up, everything will work out for the best if you are careful. Your brother need not leave yet. He can stay for another month or perhaps two. After that, this will seem like home to you.’

‘I fear it never will,’ said Albert sadly.

‘Oh, come, the countryside is beautiful, the climate very much like our own. And think of your position here.’

‘I think of it a great deal,’ said Albert with melancholy.

‘You will have Stockmar to help you. You know you can trust him.’

Oh, yes, he trusted Stockmar; but he was a foreigner too, and what chance had they against the Queen and Lord Melbourne who seemed determined to keep him out.

He did not feel he could open his heart completely to his father. He admired him and respected him. He knew, of course, that there had been many romantic entanglements in his life but Albert believed this was due to the unhappy marriage. The most easy temptation to fall into was sexual. He was sure of it; and he could not blame his father for past excesses. Women had tempted him. One thing Albert was certain of; he was going to avoid all such temptation. He would avoid all women but his wife. These alien English considered him gauche. Let them. He was certainly not going to get entangled with any woman.

And now another link with Rosenau was about to be broken. His father was going.

The carriage was at the door. He had said his final farewell. He stood watching it ride away with the tears in his eyes.

Then he turned and went slowly into the palace.

Victoria was waiting for him at the top of the staircase.

‘My poor dear Albert …’

She barred his way, her own blue eyes filled with tears.

‘I understand how you are feeling …’

He cried: ‘You don’t … you don’t …’ and dashed past her into his sitting-room. He could not bear to talk to her then. He feared that if he did he would tell her that he wanted to go home, burst into tears and cry like any baby. He could hear her calling his name as she had run after him; swiftly he turned the key in the lock.

‘Albert,’ she cried. ‘Albert, I am here.’

‘I … I wish to be alone.’

‘You can’t … not from me.’

‘Victoria, please go away. I am too upset.’

‘No, no,’ she said. ‘I am going to comfort you. Open the door. Open it at once.’

He obeyed and she was ready to throw herself into his arms, but he stood silent, unresponsive.

‘Albert,’ she cried, aghast, ‘I want to comfort you. I know how you feel. Your father has gone away.’

‘How can you know?’ he cried. ‘You have never known a father.’

‘No, but I understand.’

‘And you don’t love your mother, so you can’t understand.’

He turned away from her coldly, but she put her arms round him and held him tightly against her; she began to cry.

‘Albert, my dearest, but I can’t bear to see you unhappy. I love you, Albert.’

He turned to her then and they wept together.

He had been unkind, he said.

No, no, not unkind. It was all so natural. He must share his troubles. She must make him understand that.

They kissed and she was immediately wildly happy.

‘God knows how great my wish is to make you happy and contented. I would do anything … anything …’

How could he help but be touched and moved by such devotion?

But later he thought: Yes, she would do anything for me … except let me share her throne.

Albert was deeply shocked. He would not have believed it of Ernest, although his brother had always laughed at him and called him a prude. But that Ernest should have had adventures which could produce such a result was a terrible blow and indeed a great lesson. Ernest had been looking unwell for some weeks.

‘It is this strange country,’ said Albert. ‘You’ll feel better when you leave.’

Ernest had let that rest for a while; but later – so he told Albert – he had become alarmed and seen a doctor.

‘It was a woman in Berlin,’ he said.

‘A woman!’ cried Albert. ‘Good God, Ernest! You can’t be serious.’

‘Albert, for Heaven’s sake do be a little more worldly. These things happen now and then, you know.’

‘And those to whom they happen have to abide by the consequences,’ said Albert severely.

‘You’re right there, my dear brother. I hope you never get into this sort of mess.’ Albert was even more horrified which at least made Ernest laugh. ‘As if you would.’

‘Should one joke about such a serious matter? Ernest, I am glad our father doesn’t know about this.’

‘He knows, Albert. He understood. He is not immune from the temptations of the flesh as you are.’

‘Should we say that I have taught myself to overcome them.’

‘Well, I make a guess that dear little Vic keeps you busy.’

Albert was horrified. ‘Ernest, what has happened to you?’

‘A fate, alas, that catches up with many of us – except the virtuous like you, Albert. That is if there are any more like you … which I very much doubt.’

Albert’s affection for this brother overcame his shock. ‘You must get the best possible treatment.’

‘That’s what I am doing.’

‘And then, Ernest, marry. But not until you are completely well. You must not risk getting a sick heir.’

‘You may trust me.’

‘I shall tell Victoria. We have said we shall not have secrets from each other.’

‘I understand,’ said Ernest.

‘I shall hate telling her but I think it is an unpleasant duty.’

‘Don’t worry. It’ll only make her realise all the more that in taking you she got the better bargain.’

In hushed and solemn tones he explained the situation to Victoria, who flushed scarlet with embarrassment and horror when she heard.

‘My dear Albert, but this is so terrible.’

‘It’s the reward of sin,’ said Albert.

‘Of course Ernest is very gay.’

‘Too gay.’

‘But he is your brother and therefore very dear to us both. Everything must be done to cure him. Can he be cured, Albert?’

‘Oh, yes. I gather he is only lightly infected. I have been talking to him of the benefits of married life.’

Victoria smiled radiantly. ‘Oh, but we are so fortunate. Everyone cannot be as happy as we are.’

Albert pressed her hand in agreement and added: ‘Ernest is a man who needs marriage if he is to lead a decent and honourable life.’

Victoria nodded gravely and then with one of her impulsive gestures she threw her arms about his neck and said: ‘Oh, Albert, how very fortunate we are. I knew as soon as I saw you that you would be pure and faithful.’ She looked at him in horror. ‘Suppose I had chosen Ernest.’

‘Then one person would have been most unhappy,’ said Albert. ‘Myself.’

‘And I too, Albert. Oh, how wise I was! But then as soon as I set eyes on you, I knew.’

They were very content in each other for the rest of that day and night.

Victoria herself began to be worried. She had been married for about six weeks. It really could not be, she assured herself. It was far too early.

The only person she could talk to about it was the Baroness.

‘Dear Daisy, can it be … so soon?’

‘Well, it certainly could,’ said the Baroness.

Victoria began to shiver. ‘I must confess, Daisy, that it makes me a little uneasy.’

‘My darling, I’d be there all the time to look after you.’

‘I know. Old Louie was there to look after my Cousin Charlotte but she died.’

‘You mustn’t compare yourself with the Princess Charlotte.’

‘Why not? According to Uncle Leopold she was a healthy girl. That she should die having her baby was most unexpected.’

‘Look, this is not the way to talk or think. My opinion is it’s a little soon and you may be mistaken.’

‘I hope so.’

‘But you want a baby.’

‘Not yet. I want to wait a while. Besides …’ She shivered. ‘Ever since Lady John Russell died having hers …’

‘Oh, that was different. She was old compared with you.’

‘I am perhaps too small to bear children.’

‘It makes no difference. Think of all the fun we’ll have getting ready. All the lovely things. You must let me make some myself. Will you?’

‘Darling Daisy, you shall do exactly as you want.’

‘It’ll be like dressing the dolls.’

‘Oh, my darling dolls! What fun we had with them! I believe you’re already planning the baby’s layette.’

‘Well, of course,’ said Lehzen. ‘We shall have to furnish the nursery afresh.’

‘You make me feel almost excited.’

‘You’ll be excited, my love. You see.’

‘I shall have my moments of fear. Do you know how many women die in childbed, Lehzen?’

‘They are poor. It’s different for a queen. You’ll have all the best doctors. This will be the heir to the throne, remember. And I’ll be there.’

‘I’ve already started to think about names.’

‘If it’s a girl it must be Victoria.’

‘How will you know which of us is which?’

‘I will know,’ said Lehzen. ‘Never fear, I shall be in no danger of confusing the Queen and the Princess Royal.’

‘But it should be a boy.’

‘Then it will have a king’s name.’

‘Whatever you say, Lehzen, it is a terrible ordeal. It frightens me. I just cannot get Lady John out of my mind. She was so well just before and then …’

Tears began to fall down the Queen’s cheeks; she had been very fond of Lady John and her dear children. She always invited them to come when their stepmother visited her; and she and they used to race up and down the corridors of Buckingham Palace with Dash, Islay or one of the other dogs at their heels.

Albert came in. He had been riding with Ernest and looked very handsome in his habit. Lehzen gave him a rather perfunctory curtsey which angered him because there was, he fancied, a trace of insolence in it. She did not retire as of course she should; and what was more irritating was that Victoria did not command her to.

‘You have enjoyed the ride, Albert?’ asked the Queen.

‘Very much.’

‘And Ernest is looking better, I think.’

‘He is much better.’

‘I am so glad of that.’

Lehzen was putting the Queen’s wrap away with elaborate care, a task for one of her ladies of the bedchamber. What position in the household did Lehzen hold? he wondered in irritation. She behaved as though she were a member of the family.

Albert implied that he wished to speak to Victoria alone and she with perfect ease said: ‘I will see you at six, Daisy.’

Lehzen, who had been so insolent with him, showed her respect for the Queen by her immediate acknowledgement of the order.

When they were alone Albert said: ‘I see you have been crying. What has happened to upset you?’

She hesitated. Then: ‘Well, Albert, I am not quite sure … but I have fears … I mean hopes … that …’

Albert’s face was illuminated by his joy.

‘My dear little wife! But this is wonderful news.’

A momentary irritation crossed her face. It was all very well for him. He did not have to face the terrifying ordeal; he did not have to risk his life.

‘Of course,’ she said, ‘it is too soon to be absolutely sure yet.’

‘If it is … oh, Victoria, if it is …’

‘I confess I shall be a little frightened.’

‘The first time is a little frightening I believe.’

‘I am glad to hear that as a man you are aware of that.’

‘But it will be a great blessing … so soon. It is a good sign that we may have many children.’

She shivered.

‘There will be great rejoicing … everywhere,’ he went on.

‘I wish I were not so small. That might make difficulties.’

‘I have never heard this is so.’

‘Nor has Lehzen. But I believe it may have some effect and it is I who have to endure it, you know.’

‘Lehzen! So you have already discussed this with her.’

‘We were talking of it as you came in.’

He was silent. Now was the time to tell her that he resented the Baroness. The fact that this important matter – their secret – could be discussed with Lehzen was hurtful enough, but that she should have spoken of it to the woman before she did to him appalled him.

‘I am sure,’ he said, with sarcasm, ‘that the Baroness, being an unmarried woman, knows a great deal about such matters.’

‘Lehzen always makes it her affair to know all she can about anything that might happen to me.’ Even her voice softened when she spoke of the woman.

He determined in that moment that he was going to be rid of her because he could never really hope to be master in his house while she was there.

Albert decided to confide in Baron Stockmar. To him he could speak in German and he knew that as a confidant of Uncle Leopold it was in his interest to help the marriage to succeed and that it was Uncle Leopold’s wish – and therefore Stockmar’s – that Albert should have a hand in the government of the country.

‘I find my position becoming more and more intolerable,’ he told the Baron. ‘I am never allowed to know the smallest thing about the politics of this country. The Queen treats me as a pet to be fondled and to receive extravagant compliments; Lord Melbourne behaves towards me as though I am a child. They are both determined to exclude me.’

Stockmar nodded gravely. He, the expert observer, was fully aware of the situation.

‘It is quite intolerable,’ went on Albert, ‘particularly as the Queen confides fully in the Baroness Lehzen. I have seen her reading state papers in the presence of the Queen. She has complete charge of the household. I am allowed no say in anything. I am occasionally permitted to blot her signature when she signs the papers. That is the limit of my usefulness. I sometimes wish that I had never come here. I might have had a small house of my own but at least I should have been master of it.’

The Baron said: ‘You are too impatient. This matter needs very thoughtful action. In time you will succeed. I have no doubt whatsoever of the Queen’s devotion to you personally. You have succeeded in your most important duty and that is to charm the Queen. She is as deeply in love with you as any young woman could be. That is your strength. Indeed if this state of affairs can be retained, you will be invincible. But what you have most need of at this time is patience.’

‘I certainly need a great deal of that,’ said Albert grimly.

‘You are not sufficiently interested in politics.’

‘How can I be when I am not allowed to know what is going on?’

‘An unworthy observation for a man of Your Highness’s intelligence,’ said the Baron. ‘You are excluded from secret documents of state, but there is no reason why you should not make yourself fully conversant with the press. A cross-section of Whig and Tory writers will give you an insight into current opinions. You do not read the papers as you should. It is of equal importance that you should know the mood of the country, the position of the two parties and how public opinion stands. This will be a great compensation for the lack of access to private papers.’

The Prince was thoughtful; he knew this was sound advice.

‘I will do this,’ he said. ‘But I can never discuss affairs of state with the Queen. Whenever I attempt to, she changes the subject and talks of something quite frivolous. Yet she can be closeted for an hour at a time with Lord Melbourne. There seems to be a conspiracy between them to keep me out.’

‘The Queen’s relationship with Lord Melbourne is an unusual one. Her Majesty came to the throne at the age of eighteen – a young impressionable girl with a determination to be a good queen. Her Prime Minister was Lord Melbourne – a man of social grace and great charm – worldly in the extreme. The Queen was immediately impressed by him. In her eyes he could do no wrong. Indeed, at one time some people thought she might marry Lord Melbourne.’

The Prince was startled and looked alarmed.

‘Ah,’ went on Stockmar. ‘I see I am right and you have not made yourself cognizant of affairs in this country. You should not feel jealous of Lord Melbourne. He has a subtle mind and he understands the position perfectly. He knew there was never any question of marriage between them and so did the Queen. She never knew her father, and consequently looked for a father in other men. Her relationship with your Uncle Leopold was one of the most passionate devotion on both sides and adoration as well on hers. When your Uncle Leopold was no longer there she turned to Lord Melbourne. But these were the father figures. You are the husband. All that passionate devotion will be yours in due course providing you know how to divert it in your direction. At the moment the Queen loves you devotedly. Everyone realises that she is madly in love with her husband. But in the same way as Lord Melbourne weaned her from Leopold so you will wean her from Melbourne. Everything is on your side and if you behave in the right manner you will be more whole-heartedly loved than ever Leopold or Melbourne were.’

‘I know she has a loving nature.’

‘She is overflowing with affection. She is good. You have in fact a wonderful wife but she is also a queen. She has been brought up with this knowledge and she has a sacred dedication to her duty. You are the most fortunate of young men to have such a wife and to be the husband of such a queen. But there are difficulties ahead which you will overcome. Your appearance is in your favour. It enchants the Queen, who is susceptible to good-looking people. Your calm and cautious character will stand you in good stead. You are her perfect complement. Your calm will always win against her violent temper. It is her chief fault and her great disadvantage. She loses her temper; you keep yours. Calm always wins over tempest. Remember that.’

‘I am sure your advice is sound and I am greatly cheered by it.’

‘Well, now a plan of action. You are going to make yourself knowledgeable politically. Lord Melbourne is difficult to approach because he is so much the Queen’s man. But what of Sir Robert Peel?’

‘The Queen hates him.’

Stockmar laughed. ‘Peel is a brilliant statesman. He has been a little piqued by the affair of the Bedchamber a year or so ago. Who would not be? The Queen behaved in a very unconstitutional manner. You must read accounts of this. I will see that they come to your hands. But for the chivalry of Melbourne and the dignity of Peel the Queen could have been in a difficult position over that affair. And following so closely on the Flora Hastings scandal it made Her Majesty very unpopular. These are matters which you must study. The Queen, like most young monarchs, does not yet understand the importance of pleasing the people. Her very crown depends on it. That is something you will be able to teach her. In the meantime cultivate the men who, though they may not be governing the Country now, will be doing so in a very short time. Are you aware that the fall of the Melbourne Ministry is imminent? When it falls there will be a Tory Government. There must be no repetition of the Bedchamber affair. You will have to save the Queen from that folly. And when the new government comes in you may well be on friendly terms with the new Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel.’

‘Why, it sounds like treachery towards Victoria.’

‘My dear Albert, you and I have no thought in our heads but to serve the Queen. This is the very best we can do for her. She will have to accept Sir Robert in due course; and she will do so because you will have taught her her duty towards her government and her country. You will even – in due course – help her to overcome this ridiculous – and between ourselves childish – dislike of one of the greatest statesmen of all time.’

‘Baron, I begin to see that there is hope for me.’

‘No one’s future was ever more bright or hopeful,’ said the Baron.

Albert did not find it difficult to strike up a friendship with Sir Robert Peel and to his great pleasure he discovered that the Leader of the Opposition was a man whom he could understand. There was a similarity in their characters. Peel was quite unlike Lord Melbourne, the handsome social success, being scarcely handsome and without social grace. His speech was direct and to the point; he was an idealist, the last description which could be applied to Lord Melbourne.

Albert’s study of politics had taught him that Peel was a reformer. He had brought in the Bill for Catholic Emancipation and revised the Laws of Offences against Persons; also the forgery laws. He had created the Metropolitan Police Force. Clearly a man of ideas and courage, Sir Robert Peel was incorruptible; his sense of duty came before personal glory; he was a man whom Albert could not only understand but admire. Moreover, and this was a factor which had begun to have considerable weight with Albert, his private life was exemplary. Lord Melbourne’s had been far from that. Although everyone seemed to have forgotten it, Melbourne’s married life with Lady Caroline Lamb had been most unsavoury (although it was long since over, for she had died some years ago) and he had later been involved in two divorce cases. To have been concerned in one would have been quite shocking in Albert’s eyes, but two! It seemed hardly possible that Lord Melbourne could be guiltless. Albert did not believe that people became concerned in such affairs by chance. And this was the man whom Victoria trusted as she trusted no other.

Now Sir Robert Peel was devoted to his wife, who shared his secrets and ambitions as all wives and husbands should; they had five sons and two daughters – a pleasant family.

Moreover, Sir Robert was pleased to talk to the Prince. There was none of that slightly patronising manner which he fancied he had detected with Lord Melbourne. Stockmar’s advice was good. Politics were interesting; moreover they gave him something to do.

He could never mention Sir Robert to the Queen, though she was constantly talking of Lord Melbourne to him, holding him up as a sort of oracle.

Albert thought a great deal about the political situation. Peel had told him that an election would be inevitable very soon. The Whigs were holding on by the skin of their teeth and in fact it was only the Queen’s favour which kept them in. Peel was, Albert realised in the light of his newly acquired knowledge, referring to the Bedchamber Affair, but the Leader of the Opposition could not talk of this in detail to the Prince because it put the Queen in such a bad light.

An election before long and Peel the new Prime Minister seemed an excellent prospect to the Prince. It saddened him, though, to realise that what seemed so desirable to him was the last thing the Queen wanted.

He believed that he should try to influence her a little, subtly attempt to make her realise that her dislike of Peel was unworthy of her; and he decided to make the attempt as they sat at tea together. Victoria enjoyed presiding over the tea pot ‘like an ordinary housewife’, she said. She liked to pour out the tea ‘just as you like it, dearest Albert’. It was wonderful, she told him, how he had taken to the English tea-drinking custom. It was so civilised.

He smiled at her from across the table and said to her: ‘You look tired, my dearest. You must not have so many late nights.’

She was pleased by his concern but hated to hear that she looked tired, which reminded her of that other affair: ‘Was she or was she not pregnant?’ She was not entirely sure yet but she rather believed she was. But she did not wish to be reminded; moreover he was referring obliquely to her love of dancing which she insisted should take place whenever possible and she had danced until two that morning. Albert always fidgeted and looked as though he would fall asleep at any moment. She did wish he did not feel so sleepy in the evenings. He really danced very well but she felt he did so reluctantly, which spoilt her pleasure.

So she felt a little irritated on the whole.

She said that she thought that Lord Melbourne was a little worried. That dreadful Peel man was a great thorn in his flesh.

‘Well, my dearest, he is the Leader of the Opposition. One would expect them to have a few differences of opinion.’

‘The Leader of the Opposition indeed, and that’s where I hope he’ll remain, although he would dearly love to be Prime Minister. He almost thought he was once but I put a stop to that. My government resigned because Lord Melbourne said he was powerless to pass laws with such a small majority and that dreadful Peel man thought he could take over. He came to see me. He is most unattractive and he prances about when he speaks like a dancing master.’

‘He has a wonderful record.’

‘Record! What do you mean, Albert, a wonderful record!’

‘He has done so much good for the country.’

‘Who has been telling you this nonsense, Albert?’

‘Nonsense, my dear love? Can you seriously think that? What of the Police Force, which is the envy of the world. Whose idea was it? And who formed it?’

‘Oh, that.’

‘Come my love, be fair. Answer me.’

‘It was just a law that was brought in.’

‘And a good one, eh?’

‘The Police Force has been greatly improved since it was formed.’

‘Should you not give credit where credit is due?’

‘Of course I would always give credit when it is deserved.’

‘Well then …’

‘But nothing is going to make me like your precious dancing master.’

These were the danger signals but Albert ignored them. She was a little frightened of the future. She hated this talk of politics. She wanted to laugh and talk of light matters and love with Albert.

‘And now, dear Albert,’ she went on, ‘I am going to ask you to help me choose the material for a new gown.’

‘Which I shall do with pleasure,’ said Albert, ‘but I do want you to look clearly at what is happening.’

‘Look clearly at what is happening? What do you mean? ‘I know what’s happening in this country, Albert, far more than you do. You forget my Prime Minister visits me every day. I have conferences with him. I happen to be the Queen of this country.’

‘As a statesman Lord Melbourne does not match up to Sir Robert Peel.’

She stared at him. She could not believe she had heard correctly. He had deliberately defied her. He had talked of politics when she did not wish to; he had decried her beloved Lord Melbourne; and he had applauded the man she hated as much as she had ever hated anyone.

She was trembling with rage. Her fingers closed about the handle of the full cup of tea before her which she had been about to drink when he had begun this distressing conversation.

She picked it up and threw it into his face.

Albert’s reaction was astonishing.

He rose from the table and said to the astonished servant who had come forward, ‘What do you think of that?’ He bowed to his wife. ‘I shall now go to change my clothes.’

He left her furious but wretched at the table.

Oh, dear, what had she done! It was that violent temper of hers. But really Albert should not have goaded her by praising that dreadful man. How could he admire Sir Robert Peel when she disliked him so? But to throw a cup of tea into her beloved Albert’s face! The thought of him sitting there so beautiful with the tea on his face and trickling down his coat was terrible. And he had been so wonderfully calm. He had had every right to be angry; but all he had done was go to change his coat.

She could not be happy until Albert and she were friendly again.

She ran up to his room. The door was shut.

‘Albert,’ she cried, rapping on it.

‘Is that you, Victoria?’ His voice sounded just the same, so beautifully calm, just as though nothing had happened.

‘Albert, I want to talk to you. May I come in?’ Her voice was humble. She felt humble. She was so ashamed of her outburst. Even Lehzen and Lord Melbourne said she had a quick temper. Lord Melbourne called it ‘choleric’.

Albert had changed his coat; he was standing at the window looking out.

‘Albert.’ She ran to him and threw herself into his arms.

He smiled tenderly. ‘There now, it is over,’ he said calmly.

‘But it is not over. I did that to you.’

‘The tea was tepid,’ said Albert with a smile, ‘and it was a very small cup.’

‘Oh, my precious angel! How kind, how forgiving you are!’

‘Shall we forget it?’

‘Oh, yes, Albert. But I fear I never shall. It was unforgivable of me. It was so ill-bred.’

‘Well, my dear, you would never listen to your mother and you only had your governess to tell you how to behave and I fear she flattered you because she was so eager to keep in your good graces.’

He held his breath. How would she take direct criticism of her idol?

She hesitated, about to defend her beloved Baroness, but so overcome with remorse was she that she let it pass.

‘I should not have lost my temper, Albert.’

‘No, my love, it is always a mistake to lose one’s temper.’

‘But you were very provoking.’

‘Should one be provoked simply because an opinion adverse to one’s own is expressed? However much one disagrees one should not, for instance … throw a cup of tea.’

She laughed. ‘Albert, I shall not throw another cup of tea at you.’

‘Do so if you wish – providing of course it is not too hot and too large.’

She laughed; and he laughed with her. She clung to him, kissing him fervently. ‘Oh my beloved angel, you are far too good for me,’ she cried.

Albert’s smile as he laid his face against her hair was a little complacent. This was progress, he felt.