The Duchess said that he must go back to Kensington and that she would arrange this without delay.

So while Victoria danced at her birthday ball, Albert slept as the carriage took him through the streets and he was relieved to reach his bedroom.

But of course this was no way to impress his future bride.


* * *

He could not help being pleased when it was time to return home, although that dreadful sea crossing had to be faced before they could reach that haven.

Ernest was now certain that the Princess Victoria had chosen him.

‘Never mind, Albert,’ he said. ‘I shall rule England but I’ll let you have Coburg as a consolation prize.’

Albert was not so sure. He remembered the way she had looked at him when he had nearly fainted on the ballroom floor. She was a very affectionate little person and everyone must admit that he was more handsome than Ernest. Moreover he had quickly discovered the kind of conversation that she found amusing and she had laughed very readily even when he had not been exactly witty. Yes, she had laughed more readily at his jokes than those of Ernest; and then he had been so good with her dogs who clearly meant a great deal to her.

She was a very warm-hearted girl and one, he believed, who would be easy to mould. He would have been feeling very hopeful but for that incessant fatigue which he could not overcome however much he tried. They had music in common. She really did love it and she became quite beautiful when she listened to some particular pieces. She chattered animatedly about the famous singers she had heard and he was impressed, for such people never came to Germany. The fact that Albert had actually composed songs delighted her. ‘But how clever. But that is wonderful.’ And then their voices had harmonised charmingly.

When they said goodbye she wept openly. Her emotions, he told himself, were superficial. There would be a great deal which he would have to teach her, but he could look forward to the task; and having met her, marriage was no longer repugnant to him, which he had feared it might be.

It was not long after their return that news came from Uncle Leopold. The visit had been a great success, and to Ernest’s astonishment and Albert’s delight, Albert was the one who had pleased her best.

She had written to Uncle Leopold that Albert possessed every quality that she could desire to make her happy. She did mention though that she wanted special care taken of the health of ‘one now so dear to me’, which was an oblique reference to his exhaustion in the ballroom. Even so Uncle Leopold was pleased. Now plans must be set in motion in earnest.

Chapter IV

PREPARATIONS

Living in Coburg was Leopold’s old friend and adviser Baron Christian Friedrich von Stockmar, whither he had retired some two years before. Stockmar had at one time lived in England and had personally known not only Leopold’s first wife, the Princess Charlotte, but the young Princess Victoria as well. It was Stockmar who had advised Leopold not to take the Greek crown but to accept that of Belgium. He had been Leopold’s doctor in the first instance; they shared an interest in their ailments, vying with each other in recounting their sufferings; they had enjoyed each other’s company and Stockmar’s great concern had been Leopold’s advancement. For the last two years Leopold had asked Stockmar to keep an eye on Albert in an unofficial manner. In a small court such as that of Duke Ernest this was a simple matter and Stockmar had been able to report on the two brothers from time to time.

Albert was of special interest to Leopold and Stockmar was able to report that Albert was ‘a fine fellow with agreeable qualities’. He even had something of an English look. As to his mind, Stockmar heard glowing reports of this but he must remind Leopold that they were somewhat partial. Stockmar had seen too little of Albert to give a personal judgement, and he added that if the young Prince were going to qualify for one of the most influential positions in Europe (which marriage to the Queen of England would surely be) he must have more than a studious nature, discretion and caution (and Stockmar had heard that he possessed this to a great degree); he must have ambition and great will-power. He must be made to understand from the outset that this was a ‘vocation of grave responsibility’ and not to be lightly undertaken and that his honour and happiness would depend upon the manner in which he was able to fulfil his duties.

Now, the Prince could clearly not be fitted for this great future in Coburg. In the first place he must have a command of English. It was 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 see something of the world. The two months of September and October were taken up by this and it had been arranged that this should be a walking holiday. Albert was quite happy; he loved the fresh air; the mountains of Switzerland exhilarated him and the art treasures of Milan and Venice enchanted him. He was quite content to spend his days walking, providing he could go to bed at about nine o’clock. He would immediately sleep heavily and be awake at six o’clock, ready to spend another day of exploration.

Albert wished that holiday could have gone on and on. He discussed his feelings with Ernest for they understood each other well.

‘You know what will happen when we have finished with Bonn,’ said Ernest. ‘You will go one way and I another.’

‘I have often thought of it,’ replied Albert sombrely.

‘We have to face it. If you are going to England and I to Coburg, we shall be parted.’