02/10/2025
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On this day, 5th February 1896, Prince Henry of Battenberg, huchand of Princess Beatrice and son-in-law of Queen Victoria, was buried at St. Mildred's Church, Whippingham, Isle of Wight.
Queen Victoria’s journal:
“This was a terrible day, but one never to be forgotten! It dawned very dull & dark & unfortunately unlike yesterday, remained dull & dreary, & there was once or twice a little drizzle. — Slept fairly well, but awoke dreading what was before us. — Edward Weimar, Franz Teck & Dolly & Ernest Leiningen had all come yesterday but the 2 last named were on board the Yacht. The others as well as Helen, Tora & Christle are at Osborne Cottage. Alix & the 2 dear girls breakfasted with. Then dear Beatrice came in. She had gone down to the "Alberta" at 9, with Arthur, Louis, Franz Jos, the 2 eldest children & Lenchen. She was calm, but the deepest grief depicted in her poor young face. — Shortly after 12 drove down to Trinity Pier with darling Beatrice, Ena & little Leopold, in a landau & fair. Then were great crowds along the road, which was lined with troops. To attempt properly to describe the whole of the sad proceedings & ceremony, is more than I can do, so I will confine myself to a few particulars, impressions & feelings, & have asked Sir A. Bigge to write an account, the copy of which I annex. At the Pier on either side of the pontoon, stood all the Princes, except the actual Chief Mourners, & we remained on one side, the gun carriage on the other. We had to wait but a short time, when the Blue-Jackets of the "Victoria & Albert" appeared, bearing their precious burden, followed by Louis, Franz Jos & dear little Drino, looking so small & touching. Most easily was the coffin placed on the gun carriage, drawn by 6 horses, & we began slowly to move. There were so many Princes, Representatives & Deputations, such as from the Guardes du Corps, & Liko's Bulgarian Regt that we could not follow as close as we should have wished. […]
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