Buckingham Palace, 11th January 1839.
My dear Uncle,—The dreadful moment has arrived, and dear Marie8 is no more to bless her loving relations with her presence on this earth of grief and troubles! It is a heavy dispensation, and one that it is difficult to comprehend, but we must submit.
I thought it best to write to my poor dear Aunt, for whom this will be a sad blow; but I abstained from doing so to the dear Queen of the French just as yet. I have no letters, and only learnt the melancholy event by the papers. Poor wretched Alexander! What a loss, what a change for him, poor fellow!
You will, I am sure, regret that sweet amiable creature, as poor Marie was, very much, having known her so well, and her attachment to you was great.
I will not prolong this letter, but merely repeat how much I feel for you all, and beg you to believe me, your most affectionate Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 8: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, sister to the Queen of the Belgians, had married Prince Alexander of Wurtemberg, in 1837.
The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.
HOLLAND AND BELGIUM