February 2, 1858, was a cold day and snow fell heavily. At Buckingham Palace, Queen Victoria bid her daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal, and son-in-law, Prince Frederick of Prussia, adieu. She was heartbroken to see her eldest daughter off so she stayed at Buckingham Palace all day. The Prince Consort, Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred accompanied Fritz and Vicky until Gravesand, the crowd who bid their princess goodbye were left in tears. The Prince of Wales and Alfred could not control their tears, either, not even Vicky and Fritz. Only Albert, with an extreme effort, kept his emotion in check.
The royals were conveyed aboard the royal yacht, Victoria & Albert. Upon reaching Antwerp, they proceeded to Brussels and traveled to Cologne on February 4th. They finally reached Potsdam on the 6th. Every stop over welcomed the royal pair with cheering crowds, triumphal arches, waving banners, evergreens, festoons of roses, and even brilliant illuminations. The grandest of these public festivities was staged upon their arrival in Berlin, the Prussian capital. A procession was participated by about 40,000 persons. Despite the lukewarm reception of the union among courtiers, Vicky's arrival was welcomed by the people as a great national event and the rejoicings on the occasion were marked by unbounded enthusiasm. “The adorable Vicky brightens everyone with her cheerful being, her lively sympathy and bottomless charm,” Alexandrine, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha told Queen Victoria. “She wins all Hearts.”
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| The Victoria & Albert, leaving Gravesend with Prince & Princess Frederick William of Prussia. Image from Wikimedia Commons |
_-_Frederick_William,_Crown_Prince_of_Prussia_and_later_Emperor_Frederick_III_(1831-1888)_-_RCIN_404016_-_Royal_Collection.jpg) |
| Frederick William, Crown Prince of Prussia, a portrait by Oscar Begas, c1867. Image from Wikimedia Commons |
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| Victoria, Princess Royal, c1875. Image from Wikimedia Commons, colourised by Royal Splendor |
You can learn more about the life of Victoria, Princess Royal in the book Vicky, Dear: The Life of Victoria, Princess Royal, and Empress Frederick (Royal Splendour, 2023). This insightful short biography unveils the complexities of Victoria's relationships, her unwavering devotion to her family, and her enduring impact on European history. The author paints a captivating portrait of a woman who defied convention, shattered barriers, and left an indelible mark on the world. From the opulent halls of royalty to the corridors of power, embark on an epic journey as you discover the captivating story of Victoria, Princess Royal and Empress Frederick, and experience a remarkable era through her eyes. Available in Amazon and Kindle. Click here to order your copy.
- The birth and childhood of Victoria, the Empress Frederick
- Victoria Princess Royal with the Greyhound Eos
- Vicky gives birth: "One of the worst recorded in obstetrical history"
- The wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal, and the future Emperor Frederick III
- Vicky travels to Berlin
- Victoria and Frederick: A royal love story
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2 Comments
Victoria the Princess Royal must have been anxious about leaving home and country, even though she had her husband by her side. But the Queen was an overwhelming parent and perhaps the Princess could see the possibility of living her own life in Berlin.
ReplyDeleteTheir bond never really ceased, in fact it only intensified. Mother and daughter maintained correspondence and they exchanged letters nonstop.
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