QUEEN OF INDISCRETIONS

Evening Star, Issue 19351, 10 September 1926, Page 2

QUEEN OF INDISCRETIONS

UNHAPPY COMSORT OF GEORGE IV. To bo, or not to be—tho Queen; that was tho problem with which poor Caroline of Brunswick was destined to struggle—a struggle winch dragged her down into a premature aijd unhappy grave. Seldom has so unworthy a figure captured tho public imagination as this queen of indiscretions, who appears in tho pages of history merely as a woman totally unfitted to share her Royal husband’s throne. WAS SHE PRETTY OR NOT? The controversy that raged over this poor woman a hundred years ago set England afire, for, like most strongwilled persons, she drove all those who knew her into becoming either her partisans or her opponents. It is only necessary to glance at the recorded descriptions of her to realise how bitterly divided and how biased were the opinions of her time. Here is a description given by an enemy, a member of her husband’s Court; .“The Princess of Wales was one of the most unattractive and almost repulsive women for an elegant-minded man that could well have been found amongst German Royalty.” Compare this with the eulogy of a partisan: “There never was a more attractive or alluring person in manner than Queen Caroline. She had an excellent temper and a most benevolent disposition. Her fault was a contempt for the world’s opinion when she was unconscious of wrongdoing,” Such opinions are obviously too biased to ring true. How can we arrive at the truth? LORD MALMESBURY’S DESCRIPTION.

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, the second daughter of the Duke of Brunswick, was born in 1768, and had reached the mature age of twenty-six when Lord Malmesbury arrived at her father’s Court to demand her hand for the Prince of Wales. According to Malmesbury’s description of her, which is probably more (reliable and less biased than those given above, she was certainly no beauty at the time._ He says: “Pretty face, not expressive of soi'tness; her figure not graceful; fine eyes; good hand; tolerable teeth, but going; fair hair and light eyebrows; good bust.” But her looks mattered little to the future George IV., who was eager to make her his bride in order that his many debts might be liquidated. During the brief year* that they lived together the Prince of Wales made no effort to conceal his dislike for her, and soon after the birth of the little Princess Charlotte he deserted her, leaving her to find her own haven of refuge at Blackheath.

Perhaps poor Caroline’s head was turned by the openly-declared sympathy of the people for a badly-treated wife. Maybe it was merely reaction — the outburst of those womanly instincts that bad been starved in the rigid environment of the Brunswick Court and in the cruel atmosphere of a forced marriage. Whatever the cause, Caroline embarked upon a career of indiscretions—foolish friendships, that were innocent enough, but which caused the tongue of scandal to wag assiduously. The flame of scandal was fanned under official auspices. As the years passed the rumors became more and more widespread—so much so that in 1808 a Commission was set up to inquire into her conduct. Caroline was acquitted of blame, hut the rumors persisted, and in 1814 she left England to take up her abode in Italy. BRIBED TO RENOUNCE HER TITLE. But this period of peace was short. In .1820 her husband succeeded to the throne. Poor Caroline’s real tragedy then began in earnest. Every official step was taken to prevent her recognition as her husband's consort; British Ambassadors were instructed to prevent her reception as a queen at foreign Courts; her name was omitted from the Liturgy; and a sura of fifty thousand pounds was offered her to renounce the title of Queen and live abroad. This offer was indignantly refused. Hurrying to England, she was accorded a triumphal entry into London by the populace. But her efforts to claim her rights were in vain; even a public letter addressed by her to her husband had no effect. The Government brought in a Bill of Pains and Penalties for a Royal divorce upon the grounds of Caroline’s misconduct. Tlio discussion on the Bill in the House of Lords was in effect the trial of the Queen, and lasted from August 17 to November 10. But the Queen was brilliantly defended by two famovtf counsel—Denman and Brougham. Brougham's eloquence and conduct of the case so stirred the nation that thereafter he became the idol of the people, and, though bo had thereby forfeited the favor of the Court, he ultimately reached the Woolsack. So great was tlio feeling in' the country and so determined the minority in the House of Lords, the Government dropped the Bill and Caroline assumed Royal rank. REFUSED HER CORONATION.

Bub her cup of bitterness was not yet full. The Council rejected her claim to be crowned with her husband. In order to bo on the spot, she took up her abode at Westminster. On Coronation Day her coach drew up before the Abbey doors. Sho was forcibly refused admission. At the side door a similar fate awaited her, and the poor defeated Queen drove forlornly away amid the cheers and nibes of the huge mob that bad assembled to witness her attempt.

Nine days afterwards sho died at Brandenburg House at the early age of fifty-three. Vindictive to the bitter end,’the Government decreed that there should bo no demonstration of sympathy when her funeral cortege passed through London. But the people, who had pitied her, if not loved her, were not to be so checked. Huge crowds or mourners assembled, and li'"'s were lost at Hyde Park Corner when the Life Guards tried to disperse them.— ‘John o’ London’s Weekly.’