The Letters of Queen Victoria/Volume 2/Chapter 13/To King of Belgians 17 October 1844
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
My dearest Uncle,—I had intended to have written to you on Monday, but you will since have heard of the great confusion of that day which prevented me from doing so. The dear King’s visit went off to perfection, and I much and deeply regret its being passed. He was delighted, and was most enthusiastically and affectionately received wherever he showed himself. Our proceedings I wrote to good, dear Louise (whom you should not leave so long alone), who will no doubt have given you the details. What an extraordinary man the King is! What a wonderful memory, and how lively, how sagacious! He spoke very openly to us all, and is determined that our affairs should go on well. He wishes Tahiti au fond de la mer. He spoke also very openly about poor Hadjy’s brochure, which seems to have distressed him more than anything. The King praised my dearest Albert most highly, and fully appreciates his great qualities and talents—and what gratifies me so much, treats him completely as his equal, calling him “Mon Frére,” and saying to me that my husband was the same as me, which it is—and “Le Prince Albert, e’est pour moi le Roi.” The King is very sad to go, but he is determined, he says, to see me every year. Another very great thing is, that the officers of the two Navies staying at Portsmouth were on the best terms together and paying one another every sort of compliment. As Admiral La Susse (a very gentlemanlike man) and his squadron were sadly disappointed on Monday,[1] we thought it would please them if we went on board the Gomer, which we did, on Tuesday morning, and breakfasted there, and I drank the King’s health. I am certain that the visit and everything connected with it can but do the greatest good.
We stay here till Monday. It is a very comfortable little house, and the grounds and place are delightful, so private—and the view so fine.
I must now conclude, begging you to believe me, ever your devoted Niece, Victoria R.
I forgot to say how much we liked good Montpensier, who got on extremely well.
- ↑ It had been intended that the King should return to France, as he had come, by way of Portsmouth, crossing in the frigate Gomer, but, in consequence of the wet and stormy weather, he returned by Dover and Calais.