Chapter 2

Queen Victoria's early years--Duke and Duchess of Kent--Parliamentary grant to Duchess of Kent--The Queen of Würtemberg--George IV. and the Princess--Visits to Windsor--Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld --Education of the Princess--The Duchess of Kent's letter to the Bishops--Religious instruction--Result of examination--Speech by Duchess of Kent--The Princess's reminiscences of Claremont--William IV. and the Princess--The accession--Queen Victoria's character and temperament--Her sympathy with the middle classes (Pages 8-21)