CHAPTER XXVI

DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA--THE KING’S ACCESSION

On 19th January 1901 it was officially announced that Queen Victoria had not been lately in her usual health, and on the same day King Edward and Queen Alexandra arrived at Osborne. His Majesty returned to London with his son to meet the German Emperor, whose instant departure in the midst of the bi-centenary celebrations of the Prussian monarchy to the sick-bed of his venerated grandmother deeply touched the feelings of the British people.

The mournful story of the days which followed is well known. Queen Victoria passed peacefully away, at half-past six in the evening of 22nd January, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Then every one turned in their grief to His Majesty King Edward VII. Hardly for a moment could he be simply the devoted son weeping by the death-bed of his beloved and venerated mother. He was now the ruler of a great Empire, and bravely did His Majesty meet what must have seemed the almost impertinent intrusion of State business and State ceremonial. Yet it had to be done, and it may even be that, as has been the experience of humbler mortals, the anguish of the King’s great personal bereavement was to some extent mitigated by the urgent necessities of action that were laid upon him. On the following day the King held his first Council at St. James’s Palace, when His Majesty made a declaration which is thus described in the quaint official language of the _London Gazette_:--

“AT THE COURT AT SAINT JAMES’S, THE 23RD DAY OF JANUARY 1901

_Present_

“The King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

“His Majesty being this day present in Council was pleased to make the following Declaration:--

“‘Your Royal Highnesses, My Lords, and Gentlemen, This is the most painful occasion on which I shall ever be called upon to address you.

“‘My first and melancholy duty is to announce to you the death of My beloved Mother the Queen, and I know how deeply you, the whole Nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathise with Me in the irreparable loss we have all sustained.

“‘I need hardly say that My constant endeavour will be always to walk in Her footsteps. In undertaking the heavy load which now devolves upon Me, I am fully determined to be a Constitutional Sovereign in the strictest sense of the word, and as long as there is breath in My body to work for the good and amelioration of My people.

“‘I have resolved to be known by the name of Edward, which has been borne by six of My ancestors. In doing so I do not undervalue the name of Albert, which I inherit from My ever to be lamented, great and wise Father, who by universal consent is I think deservedly known by the name of Albert the Good, and I desire that his name should stand alone.

“‘In conclusion, I trust to Parliament and the Nation to support Me in the arduous duties which now devolve upon Me by inheritance, and to which I am determined to devote My whole strength during the remainder of My life.’

“Whereupon the Lords of the Council made it their humble request to His Majesty that His Majesty’s Most Gracious Declaration to their Lordships might be made public, which His Majesty was pleased to Order accordingly.

“A. W. FITZROY.”

His Majesty’s selection of King Edward VII. as his “style and title” proved extremely popular, for it is an essentially English name, and is bound up with so many historical associations, especially with the glorious memory of King Edward I. At the same time the King’s tribute of filial piety to his much-loved father deeply touched the hearts of his subjects. All over the British Empire King Edward was proclaimed amid rejoicings which were tempered only by a vivid sense of the common bereavement under which His Majesty and his subjects were alike suffering.

The marvellous and unprecedented outburst of sorrow for her late Majesty, which showed that not only the British Empire but the whole of the civilised world shared in King Edward’s grief, undoubtedly brought His Majesty some consolation, which was increased by the decision of the German Emperor, who had been joined by his eldest son, the Crown Prince, to remain for the funeral.

This magnificent ceremonial, in which was exemplified the lamentation of an Empire, lasted from Friday, 1st February, to Monday, 4th February. It was both naval and military in character, as befitted the funeral of the Sovereign who set so much store by her position as head of the services. The Royal Yacht _Alberta_, bearing her precious burden, passed from Cowes to Portsmouth along a line of warships which, reinforced as they were by foreign vessels sent by friendly Powers, seemed typical of the firm yet peaceful policy of the great ruler who was being borne to her last resting-place. The pageant through London, distinguished as it was by the presence of four reigning Sovereigns, the German Emperor, the King of the Belgians, the King of the Hellenes, and the King of Portugal, as well as numerous other representatives of foreign States, will never be forgotten by the vast crowds who saw it pass along its appointed way. It is perhaps worthy of mention that the Countess of Ranfurly represented New Zealand, her husband being Governor of that Colony, and thus the funeral of the great woman Sovereign is believed to have been the first public occasion on which a State of the Empire has been represented by a woman.

The stately and yet simple dignity of the whole ceremonial was marred by only one mishap, which is recorded here because a number of incorrect versions of what happened were current at the time. The funeral _cortège_ did not arrive at the Great Western Railway Station at Windsor till some time after it was expected, the result being that the artillery horses, which were in waiting to draw the gun-carriage bearing the coffin to St. George’s Chapel, became chilled. Just as the procession was about to start one of the horses on the off-side--that is, one of those that had no rider--reared and plunged, and eventually stood up on its hind legs. This started the next pair, and they also began to kick, and the situation became both dangerous and painful. So restive, in fact, were the horses that an officer on the Staff approached the King and received permission to remove them from the gun-carriage. It was at this juncture that Prince Louis of Battenberg respectfully called the attention of His Majesty to the naval guard of honour drawn up close by, and suggested that the seamen should draw the coffin to the chapel. The King at once ordered that this should be done, and Prince Louis, sending for Lieutenant Boyle, who commanded the guard of honour, gave instructions to that effect. The traces, made of chain covered with leather with a hook at each end, were taken from the horses and were easily connected up by the seamen into two long drag ropes. There was a brake on the gun-carriage, but in descending the hill this was found to be insufficient for the weight--upwards of two tons--and a party of selected petty officers manned the wheels and eased the carriage down the declivity spoke by spoke.

His Majesty was afterwards pleased to express his gracious approbation of the conduct of the naval guard of honour and their promptitude in executing his orders. Later on the King conferred the Victorian Order on the officers, and the Victorian medal on the men. The incident seized the imagination of the British people, who were quick to recall other occasions on which the sea service had similarly risen to a great emergency.

Few besides the members of the Royal Family were present at the actual depositing of the remains of Queen Victoria in the sarcophagus at Frogmore, there to sleep by the side of her tenderly-loved husband, to whom she had addressed the infinitely touching inscription, “Vale desideratissime! Hic tecum requiescam, tecum demum in Christo resurgam!”

It was on that most solemn day that King Edward wrote those admirable Messages to his People, to the Colonies, and to India, which revealed to all his subjects how completely he possesses his lamented mother’s marvellous gift of human sympathy, combined with a full realisation of his kingly dignity. The Messages, which are all dated from Windsor Castle, 4th February 1901, are as follows:--

“TO MY PEOPLE

“Now that the last Scene has closed in the noble and ever glorious life of My beloved Mother, The Queen, I am anxious to endeavour to convey to the whole Empire the extent of the deep gratitude I feel for the heart-stirring and affectionate tributes which are everywhere borne to Her Memory. I wish also to express My warm recognition of those universal expressions of what I know to be genuine and loyal sympathy with Me and with the Royal Family in our overwhelming sorrow. Such expressions have reached Me from all parts of My vast Empire, while at home the sorrowful, reverent, and sincere enthusiasm manifested in the magnificent display by sea and land has deeply touched Me.

“The consciousness of this generous spirit of devotion and loyalty among the millions of My Subjects, and of the feeling that we are all sharing a common sorrow, has inspired Me with courage and hope during the past most trying and momentous days.

“Encouraged by the confidence of that love and trust which the nation ever reposed in its late and fondly mourned Sovereign, I shall earnestly strive to walk in Her Footsteps, devoting Myself to the utmost of My powers to maintaining and promoting the highest interests of My People, and to the diligent and zealous fulfilment of the great and sacred responsibilities which, through the Will of God, I am now called to undertake.

“EDWARD, R.I.”

“TO MY PEOPLE BEYOND THE SEAS

“The countless messages of loyal sympathy which I have received from every part of My Dominions over the Seas testify to the universal grief in which the whole Empire now mourns the loss of My Beloved Mother.

“In the welfare and prosperity of Her subjects throughout Greater Britain the Queen ever evinced a heartfelt interest.

“She saw with thankfulness the steady progress which, under a wide extension of Self-Government, they had made during Her Reign. She warmly appreciated their unfailing loyalty to Her Throne and Person, and was proud to think of those who had so nobly fought and died for the Empire’s cause in South Africa.

“I have already declared that it will be My constant endeavour to follow the great example which has been bequeathed to Me.

“In these endeavours I shall have a confident trust in the devotion and sympathy of the People and of their several Representative Assemblies throughout My vast Colonial Dominions.

“With such loyal support I will, with God’s blessing, solemnly work for the promotion of the common welfare and security of the great Empire over which I have now been called to reign.

“EDWARD, R.I.”

“TO THE PRINCES AND PEOPLE OF INDIA

“Through the lamented death of My beloved and dearly mourned Mother, I have inherited the Throne, which has descended to Me through a long and ancient lineage.

“I now desire to send My greeting to the Ruling Chiefs of the Native States, and to the Inhabitants of My Indian Dominions, to assure them of My sincere goodwill and affection, and of My heartfelt wishes for their welfare.

“My illustrious and lamented Predecessor was the first Sovereign of this Country who took upon Herself the direct Administration of the Affairs of India, and assumed the title of Empress in token of Her closer association with the Government of that vast country.

“In all matters connected with India, the Queen Empress displayed an unvarying deep personal interest, and I am well aware of the feeling of loyalty and affection evinced by the millions of its people towards Her Throne and Person. This feeling was conspicuously shown during the last year of Her long and glorious reign by the noble and patriotic assistance offered by the Ruling Princes in the South African War, and by the gallant services rendered by the Native Army beyond the limits of their own Country.

“It was by Her wish and with Her sanction that I visited India and made Myself personally acquainted with the Ruling Chiefs, the people, and the cities of that ancient and famous Empire.

“I shall never forget the deep impressions which I then received, and I shall endeavour to follow the great example of the first Queen Empress to work for the general well-being of my Indian subjects of all ranks, and to merit, as She did, their unfailing loyalty and affection.

“EDWARD, R. ET I.”

The King’s anxieties during the trying period which followed the death of his beloved mother were much increased by the state of health of his only surviving son. The Duke of Cornwall and York fell ill with German measles, and, to his lasting regret, it was absolutely impossible for him to attend the funeral of his venerated grandmother. His Royal Highness, however, thanks to the devoted nursing of his wife, made steady progress towards convalescence.

In the midst of his own bitter grief the King displayed all his customary consideration and desire to gratify others. Even before the funeral His Majesty found time to bestow the Victorian Order on some officers of the late Queen’s Guard at Osborne. To the Imperial and Royal personages who attended the late Queen’s funeral His Majesty showed significant marks of his gratitude. Queen Victoria had intended some time before her death to invest the German Crown Prince with the Order of the Garter with her own hands, and King Edward hastened to carry out his beloved mother’s design. The ceremony took place at Osborne, and after the investiture the King addressed his great-nephew in the following terms:--

“SIR--In conferring on your Imperial and Royal Highness the ancient and Most Noble Order of the Garter, which was founded by my ancestor many centuries ago, I invest you with the order of knighthood, not only as the heir to the Throne of a mighty empire, but also as a near relation. It was the wish of my beloved mother the Queen to bestow it upon you as a mark of her favour, and I am only carrying out her wishes, and am glad to do so to the son of my illustrious relation, the German Emperor, to whom I wish to express my sincere thanks for having come at a moment’s notice to this country and assisted in tending and watching over the Queen, and remaining with her until her last moments. I desire to express a hope that my action in conferring upon you this ancient Order may yet further cement and strengthen the good feeling which exists between the two great countries, and that we may go forward hand in hand with the high object of ensuring peace and promoting the advance of the civilisation of the world.”

The King also paid a high compliment to his nephew, Prince Henry of Prussia, which was thus announced in the _London Gazette_:--

“ADMIRALTY, _5th February 1901_.

“His Royal Highness Prince Albert William Henry of Prussia, K.G., G.C.B., Vice-Admiral in the Imperial German Navy, has been appointed Honorary Vice-Admiral in His Majesty’s Fleet.”

For the German Emperor himself, who was already a Knight of the Garter, the King had reserved a special sign of his affection, which the _London Gazette_ announced in the following terms:--

“WAR OFFICE, PALL MALL, _27th January 1901_.

“The King has been pleased to appoint His Majesty William II., German Emperor, King of Prussia, K.G., G.C.V.O., Colonel-in-Chief 1st (Royal) Dragoons, Honorary Admiral of the Fleet, to be a Field-Marshal in the Army, on the occasion of the Anniversary of His Majesty’s Birthday.

“The Commission dated 27th January 1901.”

In telegrams to Lord Salisbury and Lord Roberts, announcing that this honour had been conferred on him, His Imperial Majesty demonstrated the great gratification which it afforded him. Not long afterwards the German Emperor conferred on Lord Roberts the Order of the Black Eagle, the highest decoration in his power to bestow.

The honour bestowed on the King of Portugal is particularly interesting, as it is believed to be the first instance in which a foreign Royal personage has been appointed Colonel-in-Chief of a line regiment. It was thus officially announced:--

“WAR OFFICE, PALL MALL, _19th February 1901_.

“The Oxfordshire Light Infantry.

“His Majesty Charles I., King of Portugal and Algarves, K.G., to be Colonel-in-Chief. Dated 20th February 1901.”

Of the other Royal personages who attended the funeral of Queen Victoria, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch of Russia, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, and the Crown Prince of Sweden and Norway were appointed Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, and Prince Charles of Denmark was made an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and an Honorary Lieutenant in the British Navy. Prince Christian, the Duke of Teck, Prince Louis of Battenberg, the Duke of Argyll, and the Duke of Fife became Knights Grand Cross, and the youthful Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, better known as the Duke of Albany, became an Honorary Knight Grand Cross, of the Royal Victorian Order.

On his accession the King became _ipso facto_ head and Sovereign of all the great orders of Knighthood, and the position of Great Master of the Order of the Bath, to which His Majesty had been appointed in 1897, was therefore vacated. The King was unwilling that this interesting office, which had been specially created by his lamented mother, should lapse, and so he appointed his brother, the Duke of Connaught, to succeed him in it. His Majesty also appointed Rear-Admiral the Duke of Cornwall and York and Captain Prince Louis of Battenberg to be his personal Naval Aides-de-Camp.

But unquestionably the most interesting of all the appointments made by the King was his creation of Queen Alexandra a Lady of the Garter. The announcement was made by the _London Gazette_ in the following form:--

“MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, _12th February 1901_.

“The King, as Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, has been graciously pleased to command that a Special Statute under the Seal of the Order shall be issued for conferring upon Her Majesty The Queen the title and dignity of a Lady of that Most Noble Order, and fully authorising Her Majesty to wear the Insignia thereof.”

The wording of this intimation shows how exceptional was the honour conferred on the gracious Queen who has long possessed the hearts of the British people. As a matter of fact, the distinction was without precedent for 400 years. Queen Victoria, even, was never a Lady of the Garter; she was Sovereign of the Order in her capacity as Queen regnant.

The State opening of Parliament by their Majesties followed on 14th February, the national mourning being partially laid aside for that day. The reception of the King and Queen by the loyal crowds which lined the route to St. Stephen’s was enthusiastic in the extreme. In the House of Lords His Majesty delivered the Speech from the Throne in a firm, clear voice, which only faltered a little when he came to the passage referring to the Duke of Cornwall and York’s Colonial tour. It was undoubtedly hard for the King to part from his much-loved son, the only son now left to him, for so many months, but it is not by any means the first occasion in which His Majesty has put aside his private feelings in order to gratify and benefit his loyal subjects.