On 5th April 1863, Princess Victoria of Hesse, eldest child of Princess Alice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was born in the Tapestry Room at Windsor Castle.
©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III
“The brightest room shone in at the windows & continued till the sum rose. — At 2 I went over to dear Alice, who seemed terribly tried & worn out, poor dear child. At 3 saw Dr Farre, who had arrived about 2 hours before, & then went to my room to have a little tea, lying down, dressed as I was, an my bed, but I had hardly lain there a moment before I was summon in, & I hurried off as fast as I could. I stood close to the bed, stroking darling Alice’s shoulder & feeling terribly agitated, but I was able to control myself completely, thank God! At last at ¼t.5 the child was born a little girl, who cried vehemently. Dear Alice was too exhausted & half stupefied by the chloroform to take any notice. I embraced good Louis whose face showed signs of deep emotion, though he had been perfectly calm, & full of devotion & affection. The Baby wrapped in the velvet & ermine cloak, in which all our Children had been carried, was taken by Mrs Clark into the next room. where Ld Sydney, Sir G. Grey & Baron Ricou were assembled I went back to dear Alice, who seemed very tired & listless but at once recognised me & kissed me. The Baby was brought round for her to look at & she seemed very pleased. Neither seem to regret its being a daughter. Dr Farre whom I like very much, he is so calm & clever, remained with Alice. Everyone was so happy & thankful & Easter Day was such a beautiful day, on which to came into this world! Went to make Affie, who was fast asleep & told him Alice had got a little girl. — Augusta B. came with me to my room, & we settled down to send off same telegrams, after which I undressed & went to bed, it being already to ¼ to 6. Got some sleep, though I awoke often. After a late breakfast which I took alone, Baby sitting with me, I went over to dear Alice, who was quiet & comfortable. The little Baby was just dressed & I showed it to Beatrice, whom I also took in to Alice. – Out with Lenchen, who drove me down to the Mausoleum, & being there did me good & quieted me, for 1 was feeling so wretched & sad, that my beloved one should not be there to share our joy, & bless his new grandchild. – Went again to dear Alice, when I came in. She said she had thought so much of her dear Papa & had felt he was so near her, during all the time she was so ill! – Rested on the sofa, feeling dear tired & having a headache. – Read Prayers & a sermon, for was not up to going to the Chapel. – Telegrams pouring in. – The Greek question anything but settled. Pss Christian makes the same conditions only more positive even, than dearest Albert made. – After luncheon, again over to Alice. – Out in the pony chair, good Louis & Affie walking with me. – Augusta B. dined with us & afterwards went over to see after Alice, who was asleep. The Baby doing nicely. – Louis & Affie left me early. -“
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© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest
