Kaiser Friedrich III, his spouse Victoria and their family, Part I

[jfkhaos]

She definitely wasn't interested in the fatigues and costs of the toilettes of which she was expected to grace the court in.  I think it's pretty safe to say that she wasn't interested in this part of the life of a royal, as she eventually dispensed with the services of her wardrobe maid to save money.  Although this mode of thought is understandable, I would at least have expected to see Vicky in some sort of state portrait in glittering regalia/jewelry.  After all, she was a resident of Prussia for over 30 years when Fritz died!

Did the Prussians use the medium of State portraits for their rulers and consorts?  I have seen portraits galore of Willy and Dona, and a few (very few) of Wilhelm and Augusta.  I think it's a shame that Vicky didn't get her due in the course of her life in Prussia, but then again, with such a different outlook on everything from the average Prussian, I can certainly see why.

[HerrKaiser]

Plus, she never really obtained the revered status of empress, the way Augusta and Dona did. When Vicky and Fritz asended the throne, his days were well known to be numbered, and very few at that. Vicky held only one official court reception as empress in which the top officials and court paid their traditional graces to her highness, but that was it. With a dying husband who was most of her world, a son eager to replace them both, little comfort from the other powers in place, Vicky had miserably little time to consider the opportunity for clothes, jewels and portraits. Had she and Fritz actually attained a 10-20 year reign, she may have come to enjoy a piece of finery or two, but even as a tenured empress, she likely would have remained more modest and reserved in her classically sophisticated style.

[jfkhaos]

I agree with all of your comments.  Considering Vicky was the most promising, IMO, of Victoria and Albert's children makes the situation that much worse.  Since Vicky was only Empress for a little over three months, Augusta would most likely have kept anything she wanted (without a confrontation due to the state of Fritz's health), and what did pass to Vicky would have gone, as tradition demanded, to Dona.  I just wish there was some undiscovered, breathtaking portrait of Vicky hidden away in some Schloss that could come to light!

[jfkhaos]

Vicky's dowry was approved at 40,000 pounds with an annuity of 8,000 pounds; her father made the comment that although it wasn't a great amount, it would allow independence.  I am sure QV would have given Vicky money when she needed it later on, because many of her early letters concerned Alice's "begging".

[HerrKaiser]

this is a wonderful image, and complimentary to Vicky. Bad Homburg is near to Kronberg where she lived the last 10 years of her life. I particularly like the tiara carved onto her head. I do not recall this piece in any photo. If you haven't been to Kronberg, it is worth the trip. There is a strong sense of her presence in the great home. the historians and caretakers at the site have more insights than I do, but I know there were quite wonderful portraits I'd not seen anywhere else published (one of Fritz too). I was there during the 100th anniversary of her death commemoration, and all was in its glory.

[Eric_Lowe]

Hmmm...I heard she also get to use the Schloss at Bad Homburg apart from the house she built in Kronberg (Friedrichof). I wonder if her rooms there were preserved. I know her grand aunt Elisabeth, Landravine of Hesse-Homburg lived there in her widowhood. 

[carkuczyn]

what is the general consensus on why kaiser wilhelm had such disdain for his mother?  everything that i have read about her states that she was a model mother, wife, and citizen.  how can one be so uncaring about one's own mother?

[Eric_Lowe]

Willy blamed Vicky and her English doctors for his stiff arm. To counter this defect, Vicky made him wear corsets to correct this. Certainly she had high hopes for him and wasn't the gentle mother he had wanted (unlike his Aunt Alice). This coupled with the tutors, grandparents, Bismark finally successed in reducing Vicky's influrence with Willy to almost zero. Also different beliefs in political issues also drew them apart. 

[ilyala]

we must remember that willie was not raised by his mother. as a child you perceive as a parent figure not necessarily your biological parents but the ones that raised you. willie was raised by william 1st and empress augusta who both had a bad opinion on vicky. that must have had quite an influence on willie.

willie was raised in the spirit of authority and absolutism. vicky believed in constitutional monarchy.

willie was an insecure person, always more than willing to show himself to the world, vicky and her husband were in the way. they were the heirs. not willie.

willie was a german. vicky was english. england was the competition. willie always viewed it as such. therefor the whole arms race and everything.

and, yes, the fact that frederick died while being taken care of by english doctors i'm sure increased willie's despise for his mother: something of the 'she's killed my father because of that damn country' sort. no matter how little affection willie had for his father (and i'm sure it was little), that idea only increased his low opinion on her.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...although he was impressed by her mental powess as well as her excellent taste. After Vicky designed and built Friedrichof, Willy fell in love with it the first time he was invited there (the palace had installed every perosnal luxury Vicky found so essential). After that he grab every excuse to go back there until his mother really felt tired of seeing him so often. 

[Eddie_uk]

I don't think Vicky wasn't gentle. She had high standards but she deeply loved her children (Moretta wrote about this years later). Reading some of Willys letters to his mother during his teenage yars they sound very intimate. He was definitely jealous of her and bitter because of his looking for someone to blame (his own mother and the English doctors!!).

Eric what is your source for Willy enjoying his visits to Friedrichof and jumped at every chance to visit? It doesn't sound accurate to me, don't know what everyone else thinks? It would appear that Willy didn't visit her "so often" he hardly made the effort. On several occasions he did drop in unexpectedly which caused a lot of fuss! Then I believe he complained that no one appreciated his suprise visit  I think he only visited her 2 - 3 times when she was dying.

[grandduchessella]

I've read about Wilhelm's admiration of Friedrichshof and his enjoyment at visiting there--though 'jumping at every chance' might be a bit of an exaggeration. Vicky had been left relatively homeless in her widowhood--the palace (Kronberg?) put at her disposal as her main residence was apparently falling down around her ears. Because she purchased Friedrichshof with her own money--left to her by the Duchess of Galliera--she had autonomy to create the home that she wanted without having to appeal to Wilhelm for permission or money. The design, landscape and furnishing all reflected her interests and travels. Wilhelm apparently found it quite appealing and cozy--far different from the homes he himself inhabited--ironically, the exact opposite of what Vicky probably woud've been 'stuck with' had he given her a decent place to live.

[HerrKaiser]

Why would it have been that a dear woman, daughter of QV, sister to the next King of England, mother of the German Emperor, widow of the Kaiser of the second Reich, ever be left scrapping for a place to live? I have always been confused by the massive capabilities and resources all these people had with which to provide Vicky a widowhood in grand style, yet it seems none of them wrote a check. While WII may have been playing a game of power and cruelty, why did QV and Edward not step up to the plate?

[Eddie_uk]

QV did write to WII asking him to find an appropriate residence for Vicky. But what more could they do? WII was Emperor in his own right. I think he was just being petty sadly. Still it worked out for her she owned a beautiful home that was designed to her specifications, it;s not suprising she loved it so much considering some of the awful abodes she had formly occupied. Coming from her mothers beautiful homes she must have found it even harder.

[carkuczyn]

why was willy raised by his grandparents?  vicky and frederick were there and able to parent him......why did no one put their foot down and insist on the grandparents not interfering?  i know how i would be if anyone tried to come between me and my children......and if my mother was queen of england that would only increase my boldness against interfering inlaws.