Duchess of Kent dies

Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of Kent 

March 16, 1861 - Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent passed away shortly before 10 o'clock this morning. She was 75.

The Duchess was reported to have been suffering from cancer and during the week, her health had been steadily declining.

On Tuesday the Queen and the Prince Consort hastened to Frogmore to frail mother. Princess Alice followed on Thursday. Yesterday, 6 o'clock, a telegram has been sent to Buckingham Palace informing the Queen that her mother’s condition had worsened. The Queen, Prince Consort and Princess Alice immediately hurried to her mother’s side riding a special train to Windsor. The Duchess “passed an unfavorable night” until her death came earlier today.

The Queen and the Prince Consort were beside her. News of Her Royal Highness’ death reached Buckingham Palace past 10, after which Princess Helena and other members of the royal family left for Windsor. The Prince of Wales, who was at Cambridge, was immediately telegraphed. The Duchess’ brothers, the King of the Belgians and the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha were also informed of her passing.

The Duchess of Kent was born Victoria Mary Louisa on August 17, 1756.  She was the fourth daughter of Francis Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield. On December 21, 1803, she married Emich Charles, Prince of Leiningen, who died July 4, 1814. The marriage bore a son, Charles Frederick William, who succeeded his father as reigning Prince of Leiningen, and Princess Feodore, who married the Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

On May 29, 1818, he married Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, fourth son of King George III, in Coburg. Their wedding ceremony was repeated at Kew on July 11. The following year, she gave birth to their only child, Alexandrina Victoria, who ascended to the British throne in 1837 as Queen Victoria. The Duke of Kent died in January 1820. 

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)