On the 16th March 1861 Victoire, Duchess of Kent, mother of Queen Victoria, died aged 74 at Frogmore House, Windsor.
Queen Victoria’s journal -
“The dreaded terrible calamity has befallen us, which seems like an awful dream, from which I cannot recover. My precious darling Mother has been taken from us this morning at ½ p. 9, peacefully, painlessly. She breathed her last, my hand holding hers to the last moment. What a blessed end! Her gentle spirit at rest, her sufferings over! But I her poor child, have lost the mother tenderly loved, whom I had never been parted from these 41 years, expecting for a few weeks & 3 times for 3 months! My childhood, all seems to crowd in upon me. Dearest Albert, who feels it intensely is so touchingly kind, so full of tender affection & consideration for my feelings. - Alice came with us, & Lenchen & Bertie this afternoon. Took them up into the room to look at the dear beautiful peaceful remains, like a marble statue. Albert is left Executor, & the Will, such a kind simple one, leaves all to me. - Telegrams pouring in & so many sent. [...] - After talking a last farewell of the beloved remains, we left Frogmore, a dreadful & painful moment & I thanked all the good servants for their devoted services, Maslin & Tupping had been 32 & 31 years with Mama & are so sad, having lost not only a revered mistress but a real friend. Went straight up to the Castle, where we found the 4 younger children, & it upset me very much when I saw darling Baby, my precious Mama’s little pet, whom she used to call “little angel,” Had a little dinner quite by myself & after talking a little while with dear Albert went to bed, feeling thoroughly exhausted. We had good news of dear Affie (alas! he is so far off) from Barbados & were thankful to know him safe.-“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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