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Authors: Jean Plaidy
Tags: Romance, Historical
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no use being able to write it adequately; he must be able to express himself fluently in that language and understand what was being said to him. He must not only have English lessons but have them from an English person. Stockmar did not think Berlin was the right place for the Prince, but if he came to Brussels his uncle could keep an eye on him. Let him have a few months there studying history and modern languages; and then Leopold could come to a decision as to the future plans. But these would need serious and immediate consideration.
Thus it was that almost immediately after the return from England, the brothers were on their way to Brussels.
It was pleasant to live in Brussels, for it meant being close to his uncle. Leopold was of course a very busy man; he had a kingdom to govern, but his great desire was to see members of his family in important positions all over Europe and as he said often to the brothers, there could not be one from which it was more possible to influence Europe for good than England. Leopold’s heart was set on a marriage between Victoria and Albert.
When they were alone together he talked of that brief period when he was married to Charlotte and had believed that he would be in a position which he now hoped would one day be Albert’s. ‘A Queen Regnant needs a husband to guide her. How well I should have done that for Charlotte! And you must learn to do for Victoria what I should have done for her.’
‘I should want to influence her for good,’ said Albert.
‘That is what I hope. You would guide and advise and, my dear Albert, you would have one of the most important tasks in the whole world. You would have to teach Victoria her responsibilities to her country, to Europe and her family. I shall not be far away and able to guide you both. We shall be in constant touch with each other.’
Albert’s eyes had begun to sparkle at the prospect. He was discovering that he was ambitious.
He studied so earnestly that his tutors expressed delight in him. He was far in advance of his brother Ernest. Leopold smiled. ‘All well and good. There’s a great difference in governing a European power like England and in governing a little Coburg dukedom.’
In correspondence with Baron Stockmar Leopold decided that the Princes should attend a university and Bonn was decided on; so there was another move and the brothers settled in to university life, where Albert’s aptitude and nature continued to delight his tutors.
They had been at Bonn for only a few weeks when important news arrived via Uncle Leopold.
‘I have heard today,’ wrote their uncle, ‘news which is of the utmost importance to us all. King William is dead and your cousin Victoria is Queen of England. You will of course wish to write to her.’
Albert was trembling with excitement. The more he had travelled, the greater his ambition had grown. He saw now how right his uncle was and this marriage was the best thing that could happen to him. Only through marriage could he achieve a position of any great importance; and his longsighted uncle was preparing him to receive one of the greatest prizes in the world. He must not fail.
He wrote to Victoria, ‘his dearest cousin’. He must congratulate her on the great change which had come into her life. He reminded her that she was the mightiest Queen in Europe and that the happiness of millions lay in her hands.
‘I hope that your reign may be long, happy and glorious and that your efforts may be rewarded by the thankfulness and love of your subjects.’
He hoped too, that he might be able to share that throne with her. King Albert of England. It sounded a wonderful project.
He must prepare himself even more thoroughly than before.
He worked harder; and he waited for news of what would happen next and when he might begin his courtship in earnest.
During the autumn holidays the two Princes made a tour of Switzerland and northern Italy. It was as well, said Uncle Leopold, to
Thus it was that almost immediately after the return from England, the brothers were on their way to Brussels.
It was pleasant to live in Brussels, for it meant being close to his uncle. Leopold was of course a very busy man; he had a kingdom to govern, but his great desire was to see members of his family in important positions all over Europe and as he said often to the brothers, there could not be one from which it was more possible to influence Europe for good than England. Leopold’s heart was set on a marriage between Victoria and Albert.
When they were alone together he talked of that brief period when he was married to Charlotte and had believed that he would be in a position which he now hoped would one day be Albert’s. ‘A Queen Regnant needs a husband to guide her. How well I should have done that for Charlotte! And you must learn to do for Victoria what I should have done for her.’
‘I should want to influence her for good,’ said Albert.
‘That is what I hope. You would guide and advise and, my dear Albert, you would have one of the most important tasks in the whole world. You would have to teach Victoria her responsibilities to her country, to Europe and her family. I shall not be far away and able to guide you both. We shall be in constant touch with each other.’
Albert’s eyes had begun to sparkle at the prospect. He was discovering that he was ambitious.
He studied so earnestly that his tutors expressed delight in him. He was far in advance of his brother Ernest. Leopold smiled. ‘All well and good. There’s a great difference in governing a European power like England and in governing a little Coburg dukedom.’
In correspondence with Baron Stockmar Leopold decided that the Princes should attend a university and Bonn was decided on; so there was another move and the brothers settled in to university life, where Albert’s aptitude and nature continued to delight his tutors.
They had been at Bonn for only a few weeks when important news arrived via Uncle Leopold.
‘I have heard today,’ wrote their uncle, ‘news which is of the utmost importance to us all. King William is dead and your cousin Victoria is Queen of England. You will of course wish to write to her.’
Albert was trembling with excitement. The more he had travelled, the greater his ambition had grown. He saw now how right his uncle was and this marriage was the best thing that could happen to him. Only through marriage could he achieve a position of any great importance; and his longsighted uncle was preparing him to receive one of the greatest prizes in the world. He must not fail.
He wrote to Victoria, ‘his dearest cousin’. He must congratulate her on the great change which had come into her life. He reminded her that she was the mightiest Queen in Europe and that the happiness of millions lay in her hands.
‘I hope that your reign may be long, happy and glorious and that your efforts may be rewarded by the thankfulness and love of your subjects.’
He hoped too, that he might be able to share that throne with her. King Albert of England. It sounded a wonderful project.
He must prepare himself even more thoroughly than before.
He worked harder; and he waited for news of what would happen next and when he might begin his courtship in earnest.
During the autumn holidays the two Princes made a tour of Switzerland and northern Italy. It was as well, said Uncle Leopold, to
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