Queen Victoria’s journal- The christening of Prince Maurice of Battenberg, 31st October 1891

On 31st October 1891, Prince Maurice of Battenberg, son of Princess Beatrice and grandson of Queen Victoria, was baptised in the drawing-room at Balmoral Castle, the first christening of a prince in Scotland for 300 years.

“Very foggy early & then the sun came out & it was very bright. — After breakfast went down to the Drawing Room, where, just as 4 years ago, everything was being prepared for the Baby’s Christening, — flowers & plants & quantities of lovely cut white flowers from Windsor being arranged & the font on a velvet stand being surrounded by them. — Lenchen, Thora, & Ernie were all helping in the decorations, while Beatrice sat & directed. The ceremony took place at 1. The sponsors were Louischen, represented by me, Marie Leiningen by Lenchen, Eddy, by Sir H. Ponsonby, Franz Jos, by Sir F. Edward, & Ernie stood for himself. Beatrice, Liko, the 2 eldest children, & Thora sat opposite, the ladies & gentlemen behind. The service, which was performed by Dr Lees opened by Hymn sung by a choir from Aberdeen, to accompaniment of harmonium, during which the child was carried in by Mrs Greig, the monthly nurse, attended by Minnie Cochrane, who handed it to me. The dear Baby received the names of Maurice Victor Donald. He is such fine big dark boy. At the conclusion of the service another Hymn, a lovely one, the music by Sullivan was followed, & then followed the blessing. The Children were extremely good & quiet, but were full of talk afterwards. We lunched with all the Household in the Dining Room at ½ p. 1., 20 in all, including Mr & Mrs Campbell, & Miss Drummond. I sat between Beatrice & Liko. The Children all came in at desert & I gave out the health of Prince Maurice, Victor, Donald of Battenberg. Went upstairs, directly afterwards. — Took a drive with Lenchen & Louisa A. — Reading & writing. — Louisa A., Emily Loch, Minnie Cochrane, Sir F. Edward, Col: Clerk Dr Lees & Gen: Dennehy dined.”