On 19th January 1901 it was officially announced that Queen Victoria had not been lately in her usual health, and on the same day King Edward and Queen Alexandra arrived at Osborne. His Majesty returned to London with his son to meet the German Emperor, whose instant departure in the midst of the bi-centenary celebrations of the Prussian monarchy to the sick-bed of his venerated grandmother deeply touched the feelings of the British people.
The mournful story of the days which followed is well known. Queen Victoria passed peacefully away, at half-past six in the evening of 22nd January, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Then every one turned in their grief to His Majesty King Edward VII. Hardly for a moment could he be simply the devoted son weeping by the death-bed of his beloved and venerated mother. He was now the ruler of a great Empire, and bravely did His Majesty meet what must have seemed the almost impertinent intrusion of State business and State ceremonial. Yet it had to be done, and it may even be that, as has been the experience of humbler mortals, the anguish of the King’s great personal bereavement was to some extent mitigated by the urgent necessities of action that were laid upon him. On the following day the King held his first Council at St. James’s Palace, when His Majesty made a declaration which is thus described in the quaint official language of the London Gazette:—
“At the Court at Saint James’s, the 23rd day of January 1901
Present
“The King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
“His Majesty being this day present in Council was pleased to make the following Declaration:—
“‘Your Royal Highnesses, My Lords, and Gentlemen, This is the most painful occasion on which I shall ever be called upon to address you.
“‘My first and melancholy duty is to announce to you the death of My beloved Mother the Queen, and I know how deeply you, the whole Nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathise with Me in the irreparable loss we have all sustained.