Princess Victoria in her Journal – 18 May 1836

Princess Victoria in her Journal – 18 May 1836

At a quarter to 2 we went down in the Hall, to receive my Uncle Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and my Cousins, Ernest and Albert, his sons. My Uncle was here, now 5 years ago, and is looking extremely well. Ernest is as tall as Ferdinand and Augustus¹; he has dark hair, and fine dark eyes and eyebrows, but the nose and mouth are not good; he has a most kind, honest and intelligent expression in his countenance, and has a very good figure. Albert, who is just as Ernest but stouter, is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful; c’est à la fois² full of goodness and sweetness, and very clever and intelligent.

Both my Cousins are so kind and good; they are much more formés³ and men of the world than Augustus; they speak English very well, and I speak it with them. Ernest will be 18 years old on the 21st of June and Albert 17 on the 26th of August. Dear Uncle Ernest made me the present of a most delightful Lory, which is so tame that it remains on your hand, and you may put your finger in its beak, or do anything with it, without its ever attempting to bite.⁴

1. The sons of the Duke’s younger brother
2. that is both
3. trained
4. Queen Victoria in her Letters and Journals