The last letter from Queen Victoria to the Empress Frederick – 6 January 1901

The Queen to the Empress Frederick – Osborne,  6 January 1901

I am so grieved to see by your dear letters that your hands trouble you so. It is very troublesome (that they) hurt you so much. I attempt to write myself (instead of dictating). I don’t suffer from my eyes, only the sight is rather bad since I have been rather poorly but I hope it will soon be much better. I gave your message to Lord Roberts who was greatly gratified. There were great crowds to receive him and both Beatrice and Arthur¹ went out to receive him. He is looking well and was greatly gratified. Then I gave him the Garter and told him he was to be an Earl… I must, I fear, end for today to save the post.

God bless you, darling child.²

The last letter preserved by the Empress Frederick is a letter from 5 October 1900. Empress Frederick was already ill by this time and only outlived her mother for seven months – dying on 5 August 1901.

1. Queen Victoria’s son and daughter
2. Beloved and Darling Child – Edited by Agatha Ramm