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| Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Picture (c) National Portrait Gallery, London. |
The following are the contents of a letter written by the Princess Mary, daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte, to Lady Harcourt in 1816. The princess elaborates on how she has decided to wed her first cousin, the Duke of Gloucester. Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester, were married for eighteen years before the death of the duke; the couple did not have children.
My very dear Lady Harcourt,
I found your most kind and affectionate note on my table late night on my return from Windsor. I never could doubt all your kind feelings on hearing of my intended marriage; and I am unhappy I did not write myself to you, as I look upon you quite as a 2nd mother, & respect you as such; but the real truth is, that, though the Q. and Prince gave their consent on Saturday, & felt satisfied all was settled, I was not quite so myself untill last night. However, I started a subject to the D. of Gloucester that required a very decided answer, before I could make up my mine to change my intention. I got a satisfactory answer last night through the D. of York, therefore I can now say we compleatly understand each other. When I see you I will explain this.
I don't know what other people feel when going to be married, but as yet I have done nothing but cry. I have been half killed with the kindness of the Queen and all my Brothers & Sisters, & such a day as I passed at Windsor yesterday is more than I can describe. That dear Castle, which contains all I value in this world; that dear place, in which I have passed so many happy days; that spot in which my most valuable & respectable Father is incircled. That, Alass, I am not to receive his Blessing and approbation, with those of all the rest of the family, half kills me; and the idea of heaving that House at Moments half breaks my heart. But the D. of Gloucester has so kindly entered into all my feelings, so faithfully promised that I shall be as much with my family as possible, and is so convinced how it is in my power to do my duty as his wife, as well as to do my duty at Windsor (to a certain degree), that it makes me thank God.
His house is so near, only 3 miles, as to admit of all this.
Yours affectionally,
Mary.
Source: The Royal Dukes and Princesses of the Family of George III: A View of Court Life and Manners for Seventy Years, 1760-1830 (Volume 2) by Percy Hetherington Fitzgerald, 1882.
As we conclude our exploration of the heartfelt letter from Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester, to Lady Harcourt, we are reminded of the complexities and challenges that come with navigating the intricacies of royal family dynamics. The letter, penned in 1816, offers a rare glimpse into the personal struggles and triumphs of Princess Mary as she made the decision to marry her first cousin, the Duke of Gloucester. Through her words, we are transported to a time of great change and upheaval in the royal family, where the weight of family expectations and personal desires often collided.
As we reflect on the contents of this letter, we are struck by the emotional turmoil that Princess Mary faced in her decision-making process. Her candid admission of the difficulties she encountered in securing the blessing of her family, particularly her father, King George III, serves as a poignant reminder of the high stakes involved in marrying within the royal family. Despite these challenges, Princess Mary's ultimate decision to marry the Duke of Gloucester, and her subsequent happiness in the marriage, serves as a testament to the power of love and understanding in overcoming even the most daunting obstacles. As we close this chapter in our exploration of royal family history, we are left with a deeper appreciation for the personal struggles that often lie beneath the surface of royal life, and the enduring importance of family and love in shaping the lives of those who inhabit the royal court.
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