Vicky: Princess Royal of England & German Empress by Daphne Bennett

 

Summary (from the publisher): Vicky, daughter and namesake of Queen Victoria, seemed a princess of golden promise. As Princess Royal of Great Britain, she married the young and dashing Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia. Socked by the strictness of the Prussian court and the wretched condition of the poor, Vicky determined to bring enlightenment and democracy to Germany. Gloriously in love, the royal couple prepared for the day Frederick would ascend the throne, with Vicky as his queen. Then fate intervened, in the sinister form of Count Otto von Bismarck - and Vicky's golden promise turned to heartbreak and tragedy. 

In Vicky, Daphne Bennett has woven a touchingly romantic narrative, without sacrificing historical insight and accuracy. Through these pages march the most colorful figures of the age: Vicky's mother, Victoria, the first lady of Europe - and a grief-stricken widow of 40 years; Vicky's brother Bertie, the playboy prince; her nemesis Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor; and her embittered son, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Yet Vicky herself remains the heroine of her story, a tragic princess whose generous spirit and love of life sustained her through a tragic time. 

Review: Born in 1840 in Buckingham Palace, Vicky, as she was known all her life to distinguish her from her mother, was the beloved oldest child of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert. Known for her amazing intellect, she was greatly beloved of her father and incredibly close to him. Vicky married Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia and had eight children with him. Theirs was a loving marriage and she was incredibly devoted to him until his death. However, raised in a liberal environment, Vicky was misunderstood in Prussia. When her father-in-law, William I appointed Otto von Bismarck as the first Minister-President of the country, she and her husbands' troubles spiraled. Bismarck actively poisoned William against them and made sure scurrilous stories were published against them. Tragically, after enduring it all for years, when her husband finally ascended the throne, he had mere months to reign, as he was already dying of laryngeal cancer when his own father died. After only a few months as Empress, Vicky was devastated to be left a widow and coldly treated by her son, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Tragically, Vicky herself also died of cancer of the spine at only 60 years of age. In her final years, remaining devoted to Germany and doing what she could for her country and her family became her great salvation. 

This was such a moving biography of a most gracious lady. Quick to forgive, but never to forget, she was incredibly wise and never let personal insults stand in the way of doing what was best for her country and family. Unfailingly polite even to the egotistical Bismarck, she is difficult not to be admired. Her unfailing devotion to her dying husband was tender to see and to read that she was often criticized for her devotion and great time spent with her children was remarkable. She remained so close with her mother Queen Victoria for her whole life, maintaining a very active correspondence and visits as frequently as they could manage, while her outlook and principles were heavily governed by those held by her father all of her life. 

Although I have read several biographies about Queen Victoria and her husband, this is my first time reading in-depth about any of her children. I really enjoyed this book and have a great appreciation for the portrait Bennett paints of Vicky as a person. Vicky seems to have gone through so many great trials and tribulations from her marriage until her death. In fact, she nearly died in childbirth with her first child and suffered for multiple days until the doctor with the skills to save her was finally told he was needed. Her son, the future Kaiser Wilhelm II, suffered irreversible damage to one of his arms, which remained shriveled and of little use his whole life. Vicky buried two of her children young, watched her husband abused by his family and country and suffer until his death, and suffered horrible agony in her final months of life. She was a great champion of improving hospitals and medical care in her country during her lifetime, but even that was ripped away from her and handed off to other members of the family, who knew little and cared even less about the cause. 

In many ways, her skills and life feel like a missed opportunity. Yet she always cheerfully did what she could, when she could, with what she could.  I do wish a bit more details had been shared about her life as a mother. Other than noting her births, little is said about her children in this text until they are grown. However, otherwise this was a really informative read. 

Stars: 4

Related Titles: 

• Victoria's Daughters by Jerrold M. Packer 
• Victoria & Albert: A Royal Love Affair by Daisy Goodwin & Sara Sheridan 
• We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals by Gillian Gill