i had no idea that Augusta had a close relationship with QV
Here the two of them, courtesy of Kmerov
They didn't have a close relationship but corresponded often to each other with much sentiments. Also knowing Augusta's character it should be said that she had close realtionship only with her-ownself.
QV’s relationship with Augusta was indeed very amicable, although Augusta was quick to take offense at unintended small slights. Vicky’s correspondence with her mother in the ‘60s and early ‘70s was very supportive of Augusta (“You know I really love her dearly – and pity her from my heart as a most unhappy person with the best of intentions” she wrote in 1868 and QV wrote in 1871, “I am so very glad that you and the Queen get on so well and see so much of each other”) and Augusta herself, following a private visit to QV in 1872 wrote “It is a rare blessing to possess a real bond of friendship in our high station – which so many are inclined to envy but the burden of which we know! To be able to speak openly and feel ourselves bound to each other by mutual confidence. This blessing has fallen to my lot, and I recognize it with sincere gratitude”. In 1873, QV referred in her correspondence with Vicky to “The dear kind Empress, whose goodness last year I can never, never forget….”
Although Vicky continually wrote of Augusta’s difficult personality throughout the otherwise generally positive mentions, in 1874 QV began to sound more of a warning note. “I am grieved to hear that you get on less well as time goes on with the Emperor and Empress. You should however both of you never forget what Fritz owes to his mother. Without her watchful care in the midst of a very immoral family, he might have turned out very different to what he is; in which case you could never have married him. And she is so true a friend. To Papa and me, I never saw anything like it”. And in the arguments over William and Henry’s education, she tried to ensure that Augusta was given credit for being on the right side, “you will see she entirely agrees with you…..” Although Vicky still seemed to perceive Augusta as one of “the only ones who agree with me” on German political affairs at that time, in 1877 QV was counseling her “I know the many trials and difficulties there are around you but try and bear them and above all let there be a kindly feeling towards the poor Empress who has never had a happy life! Especially Fritz should be loving and forgiving to her…….[She] never complains (as you both perhaps think she does) and I do so wish there could be a little more harmony in the family” and this refrain was repeated in 1878, “Only do try and show her [Augusta] confidence and regard for she really is so unhappy, so desponding, so anxious to do her duty and was so devoted a mother to Fritz that peculiarities, which I know exist, should be overlooked and borne with, if possible. She feels very keenly I know….”
The establishment of William and Dona as a satellite of the Emperor and Empress seemed to embitter Vicky and Dona’s excellent relationship with Augusta put a greater barrier between the two than had previously existed. QV tried to mediate, but she even she began to find Augusta hard to take “I am devoted to the Empress-but I cannot understand her views about marriage….” she wrote in 1884, during the troubles about Moretta and Alexander Battenberg. In fact these sorts of difficulties started to create a barrier between QV and Augusta, although QV tried hard to see the best. “The Empress avoids all subjects which were painful and her letters are short and rather empty as letters always are when one has to avoid subjects – but very kind.” However, very shortly afterwards QV wrote, “I had a very ungracious letter from the Empress again.” Things really fell to pieces in 1885, with Beatrice’s wedding to yet another Battenberg, “…I must tell you how very unamiably the Empress and even dear Fritz have written to me. I think really the Empress has no right to write to me in that tone. I send you copies of her letter and my rather stern answer but I cannot swallow affronts.” QV was able to forgive Fritz “I know his attachment to all of you …..”, but with Augusta “I never would have continued the argument [Augusta had sent one “full of hints and insinuations” about the Battenbergs low origins] but that I thought really I could not swallow all she said” although “all in a friendly tone”. But a little later friendliness was over (just prior to Beatrice’s marriage) “And now I send you the copies of a letter…from the Empress and my answer. I am sure you will be indignant. The rudeness of asking me to give such a message to my guest, the brother of my daughter’s bridegroom, on the occasion of a wedding visit is really outrageous and it seems to me as if she was bent on persecuting and insulting this family now so nearly allied with me and you, and insulting me. I am really very indignant and after this our long-standing friendship has become very cold which I am sincerely sorry for-and the more so as I was her truest and best friend.” It’s not clear what exactly the message was, presumably something unpleasant to one of the Battenburgs, but although relations were resumed they were no longer anything like what they had been.
When Augusta died in 1890, QV wrote to Vicki, “I cannot forget our long, long acquaintance – from 1845 – and till about eight or nine years ago great friendship. And her comparatively sudden death shocked me very much. She only telegraphed to me on Thursday or Friday to thank me for my New Year’s letter, and wrote to me quite lately. I am glad I saw her once more, in Berlin and at Charlottenburg……” Augusta was clearly her own worst enemy in that she had obviously valued her friendship with QV and had behaved very differently with her than she did with her daughter-in-law. However, the various Battenberg romances seemed to be the tipping point – Augusta’s behavior, especially towards Beatrice’s marriage, was so extreme (and really rather surprising, considering it was absolutely none of her business) QV could take it no more and it put an end to what had been a genuine friendship.
