On 12th May 1876, Prince Harald, son of Princess Helena and grandson of Queen Victoria, was born at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor.
“A dull morning. — On getting up, heard that dear Lenchen had got a boy born at 1.30 after a severe time. — The Empress & Arthur at breakfast. — Just before I went out had a letter from Dr Fairbank, saying how much poor Lenchen had suffered & that the child had been nearly lost, — most distressing. — At 11, drove with Beatrice & the Dss of Roxburghe to Kensington Palace to see Louise, who took me to her studio, where I sat to her for a short while for my bust, which she is altering. Drove round the Park, on the way home. — The Govt has had a Majority of 108, on the Motion of Sir H. James, relative to the Titles Bill. The Opposition are themselves rather ashamed of it & feel that it has done them great harm, the feeling in the Country being settled now. — After luncheon received in the Audience Room, the new American Minister, & then held my 3rd & last Drawingroom, at which Bertie, Alix, Beatrice, Affie, Arthur, Mary & Franz Teck, George C. & Edward W. were present. There were Many very plain people, but also some handsome ones, amongst whom Lady Gladys Herbert, Ld Pembroke’s youngest sister, immensely tall, & 2 pretty Richmonds. — Rested & before 6 took a turn in the garden with Beatrice, which I always like to walk in, for the sake of Auld Lang Syne. When I came in, went into the Bow Room, which was being arranged for dinner. — Good accounts of Lenchen. — When dressed went down to the 44 Room with the Empress & Beatrice, all the Royal Family being assembled there. Soon after went in to dinner in the Bow Room. The following dined: Bertie, Alix, Affie, Arthur, George C. Augusta & Adolphus Strelitz, Mary & Franz Teck, Louise & Lorne, Bertie leading in the Empress, & Affie me. I sat between the Empress & Bertie. Both at the Drawingroom in the evening I wore the Star of India. The Band of the Grenadier Guards played during & after dinner in the marble Hall, & extremely well. Bertie’s health was of course drunk. Everybody was pleasant & pleased, a great & rare thing, in such a large family party. —“
RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 12 May 1876 (PRINCESS BEATRICE’S COPIES) retrieved 30 April 2024
