| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | Queen Victoria is deeply grieved at the loss of her dearly beloved aunt, Adelaide, the Queen Dowager, who was always quite maternal in her affection towards the Queen and a most kind and true friend to her. Queen Adelaide deserves to be universally lamented, and Queen Victoria grieves to think of the numbers who will be reduced to comparative poverty by the loss of 'a most beautiful & kind' mistress and benefactress. With regard to the funeral, the Queen sends a paper [not on file] which she has had copied from the original in the Queen Dowager's hand; it is a touching paper, and the Queen feels it a sacred duty to comply as much as possible with her late Majesty's wishes. In the absence of the Lord Chamberlain, she has sent for Sir William Martin; once he has drawn up the proposed ceremonial, he will go to Lord John and contact the Treasury for the necessary expenses. With regard to the Mourning, the Queen asks Lord John to direct the Duke of Norfolk (who, as Earl Marshal, has to give the directions for General Mourning) to contact the Lord Chamberlain's Office. The precedent of Queen Charlotte should be followed; next Sunday would seem a good day to begin the Mourning. There will be three months mourning from the day of the funeral, so it will in fact be for about 14 weeks. The Queen asks Lord John to give the necessary directions to the Earl Marshal and the Lord Chamberlaid for the issuing of the orders for Mourning, otherwise time will be lost and delay caused. The Queen thinks that the Westminster Plays may go on. |