1860

"Thank you for coming to us," Victoria said. She and Albert were sitting side by side in their office at Windsor Castle. England had been called up to them for a special assignment.

"How may I be of service?" England bowed.

"The Prince of Wales is being sent to North America for a tour. First he will visit Canada and then take a detour down to the United States were President Buchanan will receive him," Albert read from a sheet of paper. "We are asking you to join him on this tour and monitor his activities. We don't want him to give the wrong impression of the family you must understand."

"I will be most delighted to attend the tour with the prince," England nodded.

"Splendid. We will arrange for your passage and keep a close correspondence with you." A knock is heard on the door and the queen lets them in. It is Princess Alice who is also becoming a woman.

"New letters from Germany and a new photograph of little Willy." She hands them over to the queen and everyone looks at it.

A year ago Princess Vicky gave birth to Wilhelm. A small boy who is having trouble with his left arm. The royals hope that it may be corrected one day. In the photo he is wearing a white gown and placed on top of a sofa.

"Oh our little grandson," Albert smiled. "He will grow up to be a fine ruler with his uncle our Bertie on the throne."

Washington DC

England and the Prince of Wales met up with President James Buchanan and America at the White House. England looked around and found the place to be palatial but not grand like the ones back home. On the walls are the portraits of the men who helped America break away from him.

"Here is a gift," America said to England. England opened what seemed to be a wooden box, but inside is a photographic portrait of America.

"Thank you. Photography is doing wonders for all of us around the world." The two broke away from the reception and wandered the White House. They found a private room and began to talk about issues from their country.

"I'm having problems with my states in the south," America began. "They want to keep up slavery but I think it is foolish. We have a powerful and mighty industrial north."

"What does the president say?" England asks.

"The president isn't doing much. In fact he might be the worst one I've had so far. I don't know what will happen." England places a hand on America's hand.

"Whatever happens you can talk to me, but my government may not want to get involved. We profit from trade with the Southern states." They hear applause and slip back into the reception.

On the boat ride home England the Prince of Wales are sharing a cigar. England doesn't like the smell much but anything to keep the prince company.

"How do you think the tour went?" the prince asked.

"I thought it went splendid. The people of America are in love with you."

"I wish I could stay longer. Home is just a cell that keeps me bound. All I ever hear about is idleness and decorum." The prince throws his cigar overboard and puffs out smoke. "Do you think you convince mama to let me join the army?"

"The army?" England asked. "Your highness I enjoy your enthusiasm in your country, but the army is much too dangerous. Especially to the heir of the throne, my throne."

"I should have known you were just like them," the prince huffed away. England watched as the prince walked back into the ship and shut the door.

Christmas 1860

England looks around at the large royal family. The old duchess of Kent is sitting down with her daughter the queen and Albert is holding Princess Beatrice in his lap. At age three Beatrice is the most beautiful child England had ever seen. Her eyes are blue and her blonde hair falls into a gentle curl. England can't imagine that the queen would want to part with her when she comes of age.

The younger children are playing a game on the floor and Princess Alice and Helena talking to each other.

A marriage for Alice may be on the horizon. The man in sights is Prince Louis of Hesse. Louis is the heir to the duchy of Hesse, a small but important area in Germany. Most importantly he is not a Prussian. However there is still no sign of a suitor for the Prince of Wales.

England sits down with the family and takes in the family atmosphere.

March 16th, 1861

Victoria, Albert, and England entered Frogmore house in the early morning hours. The house is dark and they are guided by a lamp. The servant's lead him to the room of the duchess of Kent. For months the duchess complained of pain in her arms and underwent surgery to remove an ulcer. An infection developed despite the doctors best efforts. The duchess lies in bed with an arm cast concealing the rot.

"Mama," Victoria said kneeling by the bedside. "Can you hear me? It is your daughter. I have brought Albert and England here with me." The duchess was in a semi coma and breathing heavily. Only heavy breathing from the mouth can be heard.

At 9:30 the duchess took one more breath. England put his fingers underneath her nose and could feel no more air being exhaled. The duchess of Kent was gone and the queen was now motherless.

1901

England wondered what the queen thought of her mother this late in life. The old portraits still hung in Windsor Castle and a photograph or two can be seen on his desk. The Duchess of Kent although convening in her youth seemed to have mellowed out as Victoria became a mother.

As Victoria was a queen and a mother she would soon take on a new title. A widow.