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In early 1848, Europe was in upheaval with the forced abdication of the Hapsburg Emperor in Sicily, the February Revolution in France, the disruption of trade to England and the resulting severe unemployment and threatened revolt, the rise of Chartists in connection with the Irish rebellion, and the German Revolution, which led to the fall of Berlin. Thus, Princess Louise, at the young age of eight days old, was whisked away from London with her family to seek refuge at their holiday home, the Osborne House on the Isle of Wight (Wake 15–18).
Princess Louise might have been a member of the most prestigious royal family of her time, but she took a step back from glitter and glamour and found ways to positively impact the lives of others, even when the climb was straight uphill.
Louise ignored Bauer and hurried out of the room. If there was one thing that brought Louise joy in life, it was to see Leo happy. His health was fragile, and he didn’t have many good days. Running wasn’t allowed because then he could fall, and if he fell, he could get injured, and if he was injured, he could start bleeding. And never stop. Leo had been diagnosed with hemophilia after ominous bruises had formed all over his body as an infant. Mama was so protective of him that he wasn’t allowed to run or jump or ride horses. Sometimes he missed their family holidays to Balmoral or Osborne
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“The Russians are still demanding landing rights in Tsushima . . .” Papa had nearly reached Mama when she added, “We cannot support this.” Louise stared after her parents as they disappeared inside the castle. “Where is Tsushima?” Leo asked. “Japan,” John answered. Leo’s brow dimpled. “Russia wants to take over Japan?” “No one knows what the Russians want,” John said in a fierce tone. “They’re expanding and looking for anything they can grab. They want to set up a fleet at a permanent base in Tsushima.” Louise was surprised at the vehemence in his voice as well as his apparent knowledge about
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The roles had shifted in the family since her older sister Alice had become engaged to Prince Ludwig, the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt. Their eldest sister, Vicky, already lived in Prussia with her husband. And her oldest brother Bertie was in Ireland.
“My dearests, I’ve received the most dreadful news. Grandmama is gravely ill.”
Sketching the clouds hovering above the trees, she thought of how her thirteenth birthday had come and gone. No celebration. No children’s ball. She would never wear her birthday gown now.
“Mama thinks sketches and watercolor are the only appropriate artistic activities for a lady. But I want to try other avenues that require more detail.” “Such as?” Louise hesitated. “Modelling.” “You aim to be the first female sculptor in the family?”
Although Alice wouldn’t marry Ludwig for another year, Papa was already making plans for the event.
Princess Alexandra of Denmark was a choice favorable to both Mama and Papa, although neither of them loved that she was from Denmark. Bertie was supposed to meet the princess this coming fall and decide if they were a good match. Their oldest sister, Vicky, didn’t support the marriage because her in-laws’ country was in conflict with Denmark.
Minister Palmerston had ensured that Alice was provided the usual thirty-thousand-pound dowry, along with a six-thousand-pound annual income, even though Alice would be living in Darmstadt.
Mama picked up her fork and speared a piece of roast beef. She ate it, and so the rest of the family followed, eating only after the queen had begun. After the first bite, she set her fork down. If Mama was finished eating, then everyone’s plates would be taken away, so Louise quickly took two more bites.
“Something must be done about that boy—” “Gutes Fräuchen,” Papa cut in. “I am going to Cambridge tomorrow. I will speak with him and plan what should be done next.”
Domestic Medicine?”
“Gastric fever is another name for typhoid fever. Does Mama not know this?”
tap at her door drew her attention, and she sat up in bed. Bertie entered her room. His gaze was hooded, his skin paler than Louise had ever seen it. “Is Papa gone?” Louise asked. His nod was slow, final.
She looked a different woman—not a queen right now—but a woman who’d lost the love of her life.
This moment, right here, would be the most beautiful moment of the day. Alice’s wedding should be beautiful, but the ceremony would be so small, and in a converted dining room at that. The day would be bittersweet.
“Affie doesn’t think I should marry a Dane. Vicky and Fritz can’t openly support the union because Prussia isn’t on friendly terms with Denmark. Uncle Leopold disapproves of me marrying a Danish princess. Even Uncle Ernest argued with Papa over it and wants me to marry a Prussian.”
Uncle Ernest approached, tall and elegant in his dark clothing, his bearing and looks reminding Louise of Papa. He extended his arm to Alice, since he was giving the bride away, then walked slowly with her toward the dining room.
Mama had styled Ludwig as a Royal Highness, which would only be recognized in the United Kingdom. Everywhere else, he was a Grand Ducal Highness. Sometime after the wedding, the queen would make him a knight of the Order of the Garter.
When Alice had changed into a black dress, the family gathered at the front of the house to bid the bride and groom farewell as they left for their honeymoon. Louise wondered if any other fourteen-year-old in the United Kingdom was waving goodbye to a newly married sister dressed all in black.
Uncle Leopold’s home at Laeken Palace.
Princess Alexandra of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, daughter of the heir to the Danish throne,
In Brussels. At King Leopold’s palace.
but first they’d be introduced to Prince Christian, his wife, and two daughters—one of which might be Bertie’s future wife, and queen of England someday.
The surrounding paintings depicted the Coburg family members, including King Leopold and the queen’s parents. Then King Leopold made the introductions to the Danish Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Louise couldn’t help her surprise. “Bertie talked about me with you?” “Bertie? That’s right, your family calls him that. You must call me Alix. Everyone who is close to me does.” This was a request Louise hadn’t expected.
“I heard you had surgery on your neck,” Louise said. “Does it still bother you?” “Not much.” Alix touched her high collar. “I hide the scar when I can so that I don’t have to always explain it. Or perhaps I am vain.” “The high collar is much in fashion right now anyway,” Louise quipped. Alix smiled. “Correct.”
Bertie remained in Brussels, while the rest of the family traveled to Reinhardsbrunn in the Duchy of Gotha, which was Papa’s childhood home.
She wanted to find something to honor her father’s memory, something she could excel at—which unfortunately wouldn’t be German or piano. But she could do one thing very well—art. And perhaps with instruction and practice, she could become a recognized talent. Did she dare tell Mama she wanted to be taught sculpting?
Louise didn’t think she had any clay dust on her after working on her sculpture—a bust of Beatrice. There might be bits beneath her fingernails, but that was almost impossible to get out. Mama had not been pleased at her practice of modelling, but she hadn’t forbidden Louise either. So she had set her mind to creating something that would impress the queen.
It was true. Since Alix’s father succeeded to the throne as King Christian IX, Louise had been reading everything about the conflict between Denmark and Prussia over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Mama and most of the family were definitely supporting Vicky’s father-in-law, King Wilhelm of Prussia, and that dreadful Chancellor Bismarck.
A year was traditional mourning, but two years?
“The Prussians are most upset at the succession of Christian IX to the throne of Denmark.” Who was Alix’s father. Louise read the article alongside Sybil. “King Christian has signed the November Constitution, which means that he’s declared Schleswig to be part of Denmark.”
“No. Prussia is saying that it’s a violation of the London Protocol of 1852.”
She turned to the next article, which had more updates on the American Civil War. Knoxville, Tennessee, had been under siege for two weeks now. “Oh, this is what I wanted to read,” Sybil said. “I heard my father discuss it.” She pointed to a section of the newspaper that held the title “The Gettysburg Address.”
“Mama suggested it. I created a small statuette for Alix’s Christmas gift, and Mama was impressed. So now I’ve begun a small sculpture of Beatrice, and Mama says she is pleased with the progress.” “Who is this sculptress?” Sybil asked. Louise grasped her friend’s hands. “Prepare yourself. She exhibited at the Royal Academy and then the Great Exhibition in 1851.” “Mary Thornycroft or Susan Durant?” Louise loved that Sybil knew the sculptresses’ names. “Susan Durant. I want to be everything like her. Creating real art that will last centuries.”
After they dismounted and walked from the stables to the house entrance, Louise noticed a messenger hurrying to the front doors. Foreboding swept through Louise. “Something’s not right. There must be news from London.” She and Sybil reached the front doors just as the messenger left. Louise grasped Sybil by the hand, and they hurried inside to find Helena and Mama in the library. “What is it?” Louise said. For once, she wasn’t told that it was a private matter. “Alix is having labor pains,” Helena said as Mama paced the room.
Even now, Louise could see the day of Alix’s arrival in her mind. Although she, her sisters, and Mama had waited at Windsor for Alix’s arrival, from the palace windows, Louise had seen the roads of Windsor decorated with banners, lanterns, and riots of color from the flowers. One detail had stood out. “Remember those children from the British Orphan Asylum, who had banners of welcome written in Danish?” “I remember the banners,” Alix mused. “I was very touched.”
Susan straightened and turned her sharp eyes on Louise. “You’ve not trained with anyone else?” “I’ve had art tutors in drawing and painting, but no one to teach me modelling.” Susan’s brows lifted. “You have done a commendable job, Your Royal Highness. You have a good grasp of shape and composition already. I can help you advance, of course. It will be a privilege to teach you.”
Louise pressed her lips together. They had had a great loss. Over two years ago. But her mother’s eyes were tearing up now, and Louise felt like crying too. Although for a different reason.
Once they arrived at the church, they walked in to find the guests already present. The Greys were seated in the pews, as well as other courtiers, including the Osborne staffs. So many familiar faces. Mama sat with the rest of their family in a semicircle in front of the altar, while Louise stood, trying not to look too nervous. The archbishop of Canterbury began with the confirmation questions, asking about her commitment to the faith.
After congratulations from those in attendance, Louise found herself back at the palace and walking with her mother to the Blue Room—the bedroom where Papa had died. The Blue Room remained unchanged since the day of his death, save for the added paintings of angels on the ceiling and the commissioned bust of Papa that stood between the two beds. Even now, fresh flowers and memorial wreaths sat upon each bed. His dressing gown and daily clothing were laid out each evening. Louise gazed at the glass on the bedside table that had been used to take his last dose of medicine. In the corner stood
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Besides, at least she’d be able to wear a debutante gown. And she did. She was allowed the customary debutante ballgown made of swaths of tulle with a long train. The bodice of the dress was made of silk, and the short sleeves left her sloping shoulders bare. In addition to wearing white feathers in her hair and carrying a white fan, she wore her confirmation gift of diamond earrings and the triple-row pearl necklace. Her life had officially progressed to the point when she was expected to accompany Mama to the next Drawing Room. It was the only court affair that Mama had continued to adhere
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Not if they didn’t meet the queen’s requirements—a husband of royal blood, Protestant, healthy, and with an independent fortune.
Lady Jane Churchill,
Alix was all smiles, and her complexion glowed, making her look ethereal. She was pregnant again, and despite Mama’s comments about pregnant women not attending balls, here was Alix. She didn’t even appear to be wearing a maternity corset.
Royals weren’t allowed to dance the supper dance since the dancers were to sit through supper together, and Louise and Helena had to eat supper with other royals.
Staying with her mother and siblings in their palaces and holiday homes had kept her away from seeing what she was missing. And now she was seeing it. The gaiety, the chatter, the switching of partners, the planning of future outings—all of which Louise could never be a part of as a princess.
