Figure 1.--Fred Morgan and Thomas Blink painted this portrait of Queen Alexandria, probably about 1903. She is shown with her three edest grandchildren (Prince Albert, Prince Edward, and Princess Mary). The portrait depicts thems playing with the dogs outsdide the kennels on the Sandringham estate. |
The York grandchildren grew up with a sartling contrast. Their great grandmother Victoria lived in mourn and isolation--silence and gloom. Their grandparents' home could not br more of a contrast living right next door in Sandringham House. One historian described their grandparent' home Sandringham House as bathed in "perpetual sunlight" in contrast to their own military styled, rather spartan home at York Cottage. As one historian puts it, both Alix and her husband were "in their element as grand parents". While with grandmama they were outrageously endulged. The Duke and Duchess of York, did not especially approve of Alix's endulgences with the children, but neither was about to make a strong issue of it which would have terribly upset Alexandra. The Duchess was a level-headed woman. Prince George was Alexandra's favored child. The relationship between them was very close. She knew that there was no way her husband would deny his adored mother access to her grandchildren, despite differences as to how children should be raised. Alexandra as a result was allowed to have the children whenever she wanted. The young princes and princess loved to visit their grandmother who spoiled them terribly, in contrast's to their fathers' strict navy routein. The children quickly learned that the excuse, "but grandmama said we could" often got them out of difficult situations. Alix developed an especially close attachment to Prince John, the youngest child.
The York grandchildren grew up with a sartling contrast.
Their great grandmother Victoria lived in Perpetual mourn and isolation--silence and gloom no matter where she was. They might visit at Osborne, Balmoral, or Windsor Castle, less commonly Buckingham Palace.
Their grandparents' home could not br more of a contrast living right next door in Sandringham House. One historian described their grandparent' home Sandringham House as bathed in "perpetual sunlight" in contrast to their own military styled, rather spartan home at York Cottage. As one historian puts it, both Alix and her husband were "in their element as grand parents". While with grandmama they were outrageously endulged.
Not only was York Cottage cramped and ugly, but it was dreadfully dull. There was neither the stark gloom or perpetual sunshine of their greatgrandmother or grandparents. There was, hiwever strict discipline and perpetual stark dullness. Prince George's idea of an exciting day was mow down as many birds as possible during the day and work on his stamps in the evening. As regards the children, York Cottage was run rather like a military boarding school, but with less allouance for children. Pronce George had thoroighly adjusted to the navy before his brother Prince Eddy died. Somehow he got the idea that running a hime and family was not unlike captaining a ship at sea and crew. At York Cottage it was all good order and discipline. The contrast with how Prince George was raised could not be more striking.
The Duke and Duchess of York, did not especially approve of Alix's endulgences with the children, but neither was about to make a strong issue of it which would have terribly upset Alexandra. The Duchess was a level-headed woman. Prince George was Alexandra's favored child. The relationship between them was very close. She knew that there was no way her husband would deny his adored mother access to her grandchildren, despite differences as to how children should be raised. Alexandra as a result was allowed to have the children whenever she wanted. The young princes and princess loved to visit their grandmother who spoiled them terribly, in contrast's to their fathers' strict navy routein. The children quickly learned that the excuse, "but grandmama said we could" often got them out of difficult situations.
Not only could Alix have the York grand childre pretty much whenever she wanted them, but there were times when the Duke and Duchess traveled that they were put in their care for extended periods. The most famous episode was when the Duke and Duchess made an extended tour of Australia, South Africa, and Canada (1901). There was also a trip to India (1905).
The most famous episode was when the Duke and Duchess made an extended tour of Australia, South Africa, and Canada. There was a teary departure and them on March 16, 1901 they departed. Alix never liked her family to leave, but soon found herself in charge of the grandkids for a glorious 8 months! Alix in many ways child-like herself had a winderful way with children. Sir John Wheeler-Bennet reports that for 8 long months the four grandkids were "grossly and enthusiastically spoilt by their grandparents". [Battiscombe, p. 240.] Alix arranged special excursions for them. At the Milatary Tournament Princess Mary was both fascinated and horrified by a clown. At Virginia Water Prince David was delighted to catch his first fish, but insisted the sailor helping him throw it back in the water. Alix and her husband or guests would sit on the lawn and Sandringham and enjoy watching the children play. Indeed their mother had left behind her old governess to teach the children French, a Mademoiselle Bricka. When the children were moved over to Sandringham, Mdme. Bricka was left behind. When his mother found out, she asked why. Alix replied that David was getting too precocious as needed nmore time to play with his brothers and sisters. Alexandra's biographer describes what transpired, "Under Queen Alexandra's system, or rather, lack of any system, edication certainly suffered and so did nursery discipline, but to the children accustomed to the quarter-deck manner of the Duke of York and to the somewhat withdrawn attitude of their loving but reserved mother, those eight mobnths were a wondeful period of fun, freedom and development". [Battiscombe, p. 241.]
Prince John was born in 1905. Alix always was to have a very special place in her heart for John. In the fall the Duke and Duchess were sceduled for a trip to India, the one place that Alix had always wanted to visit. They left in October, this time for 6 months. Nothing could have pleased her more than to be left in charge of the children. This time Alix did not have such a problem with the nurses and tutors like she had with Mdme Bricka during the earlir trip. Their tutor Mr. Hansell complained that the boys returned from the "big house" late for lessons or bed. The boys, especially David and Albert, had figured that "Grandpa and Grandmama wanted us to stay," would be all they had to say. The Queen wrote providing constant reports, "... dear David, grown and such a sturdy, manly-looking little fellow, and little Mary also grown a good deal and sweet Bertie my particular friend." [Battiscombe, p. 260.] Queen Alexandra was in her element with the children. She delighted as Princess Mary demonstated he ability with horses. The older boys had begun to hunt. In the evening she would gather them all arond her to read Froggy and Bunny stories that she had read to her own children. On rainy days they would paint. They would go to Winsor and romp down the halls. Prince George wrote, not to seriously, that the children were being shockingly spolit. Alexandra replied in the same tone, "You say I am no exception in spoiling my grand children and I say you are no exception in being inpertinent to your mother which I say is much worse." [Battiscombe, p. 260.]
The Queen Mother Alexandra again cared for the children in 1911-12 when now King George and Queen Mary again visited India. They left in November 1911. The children were quite a bit older than when she had cared for them before. The youngest was Prince John who was now 5 years old. Alix was especially drawn to him, perhaps because of his epilepsy. [Battiscombe, p. 279.]
Alix was devoted to the eldest grandchild, David (Edward VIII) who would follow his father to the throne. While she spoiled him, she was not unduily taken with his abilities. It was important to her that he not "get grand". She also did not dimissed the idea that he was especially clever as a child. Bertie (George VI) she thought epecially sweet and a special friend. She had trouble with Prince Henry's name, thinking he should be called "Robs" after his grandfather. [Battiscombe, p. 260.] Alix developed an especially close attachment to Prince John, the youngest child.
Battiscombe, Georgina. Queen Alexandra (Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1969).
Bradford, Sarah. The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1895-1952 (New York: St. Marin's Press, 1989), 506p.
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