Виктория Холт - The Captive of Kensington Palace

There were the dear grandchildren to comfort him. Thank God for them! thought Adelaide. He would listen to their childish troubles as though they were important matters of state and they did much for him. When they lived simply, shut away from affairs, William was like a normal grandfather – getting on in years, it was true, a little feeble, a little inclined to sudden bursts of anger, but on the whole an ordinary man.

On one occasion he said: ‘Adelaide, how I wish we could get away somewhere in the country … you … myself … and the babies!’

Adelaide wished it too.

If only his children would be kinder to him! Who would have believed that Dorothy Jordan’s sons could be so cruel and so acquisitive. It was not as though William had ever attempted to disown them; he had given them honours, but the more they had the more they seemed to want. Unnatural children indeed. George FitzClarence, the Earl of Munster, would not come to see his father because he considered he had been badly treated. Monster would be a better name than Munster, someone had said, and Adelaide was inclined to think there was something in this.

The King was very sad because he loved George dearly; he was constantly telling Adelaide how proud he and Dorothy had been of their eldest son. ‘What a little rascal, eh?’ cried William. ‘I taught him how to use his fists when he was two. Dorothy doted on him. He was a good boy to her, too. It’s since I’ve been King that everything has gone wrong.’

Adelaide did her best to soothe him.

Lord Frederick FitzClarence was another son who had actually written abusively to his father in such terms, the King’s secretary confided to the Queen, that he had decided against showing the letter to His Majesty and had answered it himself, for he feared that it could serve no useful purpose and would only upset the King when he was in one of his less healthful phases.

There were complaints also from Lord Augustus FitzClarence who declared that the King did more for others than for his own sons.

The daughters were kinder, particularly Sophia who had become Lady de l’Isle and Dudley. She with her family was constantly in the King’s company and gave a great deal of comfort to him. She was one of the few FitzClarences who were kind to Adelaide and the King was very fond of her. She had come to Windsor when Adelaide had left for her Continental trip and William declared he did not know what he would have done without her. But he mourned for the unkindness of his sons.

The Queen said to him, ‘Ferdinand has his two sons at Kensington.’

‘I know. That young boy’s going to marry Maria de Gloria and be the King of Portugal. Leopold’s spreading his relations all over Europe.’

‘I think Leopold is a very shrewd politician.’

‘A cunning fellow. Can’t stand him. He never takes wine. Drinks water. I don’t want people drinking water at my table.’

‘No, but he does seem to have plans for the Saxe-Coburg family.’

‘H’m. And bringing these young nephews over now. You know what he’s after, don’t you? He wants Victoria to marry one of her German cousins. Well, she is not going to. She’s going to have George.’

‘I hope she will. George is such a darling.’

‘And all the time that woman does what she can to prevent their meeting.’

‘Well, Ferdinand is clearly not intended for her. I don’t know about Augustus; but I think it’s the other cousins Leopold has his eye on – Ernest and Albert.’

‘If he tries to bring those fellows over here I shall forbid them to enter the country.’

‘Oh, William, can you do that?’

The King’s eyes bulged. ‘I’m the King.’

It was better not to pursue that. ‘I suppose,’ said Adelaide, ‘that we must ask Ferdinand and his sons to Windsor.’

‘I don’t want them here.’

‘I know, William, but I believe it is expected of us. You forget sometimes how important your invitations are.’

‘You’re right, my dear. You always are. Let’s have them, but if that woman starts her capers in my Castle …’

‘We will try to make it an enjoyable visit.’

The King nodded dismally. ‘A pity we can’t ask Victoria without her mother and that man … I won’t have him in the Castle, Adelaide. She can entertain her lover elsewhere.’

‘We are not sure that Conroy is her lover.’

‘N … no,’ agreed the King. ‘She’s a cold-hearted vixen.’

‘Well, I shall see that the invitations are sent out. It will be a very short visit.’

The King nodded and went off to finish his letter to George FitzClarence which he hoped would help to close the rift between them.‘My affection for yourself and all your brothers and sisters is, and ever will be, unaltered; and the only difference which has risen between you and me has been that you have not considered that I have a double duty to perform as King and father. Whenever you feel inclined to return to my roof, the Castle at Windsor, the Pavilion at Brighton and the Palace at St James’s will be opened to you and yours with perfect satisfaction on my part. God bless you, and I ever remain, dearest George,

Your most truly affectionate father,

William R.’

Adelaide was determined that the visit should not be marred by discord between the King and the Duchess. Ferdinand and Augustus were two charming young men and there was no difficulty about entertaining them. William received them kindly; and there was no doubt that he was delighted with Victoria. There was something so fresh about her, so affectionate that it was impossible not to be fond of her. The King wanted to make it very clear that his quarrel with Kensington did not extend to his young niece.

He took her hand and led her into dinner; the Duchess of Kent walked on the other side of him but he did not look at her. It was arranged that Victoria should sit between William and George Cambridge – which, Adelaide had said, will give the young people a chance to talk together and discover how very charming they are. It was also significant of the royal wishes.

Victoria liked George Cambridge, but she had known him for a long time and he was not as new and fascinating as her German cousins.

‘Are you looking forward to the ball, eh, my dear?’ asked the King.

‘Oh yes, Uncle William,’ cried Victoria. ‘I love to dance.’

‘So you should. You should dance more. The Queen’s always saying to me: “We’ll give a ball for Victoria.”’

‘I love the Queen’s balls, Uncle. Aunt Adelaide always gives the best parties.’

‘She knows what young people like.’ His eyes were filled with tears and so were Victoria’s for she knew that he was thinking how sad Aunt Adelaide was because she had no children.

After dinner Victoria danced three quadrilles – the first with Ferdinand as he was the guest; and then with George Cambridge and after that with Augustus.

She wrote in her Journal: ‘I stayed up until one. I was much amused and pleased.’

The visit was a brief one. Young Ferdinand must go to Portugal to celebrate his marriage to the little widowed Queen, and Victoria must say good-bye to them.

‘How very sad,’ said Victoria, while her hair was being done and the book from which she was reading lay unopened before her.

Lehzen said that there would be other visits.

‘I look forward to them. I am very fortunate to have such good cousins. The more I know Ferdinand the more I like him. He is so sensible, so natural and unaffected, so unsophisticated and so truly good .’

‘And Augustus?’

‘I love him too. He is so distinguished-looking and unaffected. He is so amiable and quiet and gentle.’

‘They have certainly made an excellent impression,’ replied Lehzen.