The History of England During the Reign of Victoria (1837-1901)

ISBN: 9781330276501 出版年：2016 页码：554 Sidney Low Forgotten Books

William IV. Left no legitimate Issue. The crown, therefore, devolved upon the daughter of his younger brother, Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. The duke, like two of his brothers, the late king and the Duke of Cam bridge, had married late in life, after the death of the prince regent's daughter, the Princess Charlotte. In May, 1818, the marriage took place, the bride being the Princess Victoria of saxe-coburg-gotha, widow of Prince Ernest Charles of Leinin gen. The only child of this union was the Princess Alexandrina Victoria, born in Kensington Palace, on May 24, 1819. The Duke of Kent died the following year; the young princess was carefully educated by her mother, who was much aided by the prudent counsels of her brother, Prince Leopold of saxe-coburg, afterwards King of the Belgians. The household of the duchess was simple and frugal. During her early years the princess was not allowed to know of the high destinies that awaited her. Sir Walter Scott, after dining with the Duchess of Kent, in May, 1828, and being presented to the princess, notes in his diary that this little lady is educating with much care, and watched so closely that no busy maid has a moment to whisper, 'you are heir of England The revelation was made to her when she was twelve years old,1 and it left on her mind a strong im pression of responsibility and seriousness. The young princess deliberately equipped herself for her vocation, and at eighteen the death of her uncle left her prepared to discharge it with firmness and a 'high sense of public duty.