24 May 1819 – The birth of a future Queen

Birth

We are happy in being able to state, that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was safely delivered yesterday morning, at Kensington Palace, of a Princess, at a quarter past four o’clock.

The following Privy Councillors were present on the occasion:

  • His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex,
  • His Grace the Duke of Wellington,
  • The Archbishop of Canterbury,
  • Marquess of Lansdown,
  • Earl Bathurst,
  • Mr Canning,
  • Bishop of London,
  • Mr Vansittart.

There were present, besides, the following Gentlemen belonging to the Household of the Duke of Kent:

  • Lieut.-General Wetherall, Comptroller.
  • Major-General Moore, Equery.
  • Captain Caseroy, dito.

The following bulletin was issued immediately after the event:

Kensington Palace, May 24, 1819.

BULLETIN.

“Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was safely delivered of a Princess this morning at a quarter past four o’clock.

Her Royal Highness and the Princess are doing well.”

J. Wilson signed David D. Davis

“Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and the Infant Princess continue in a favourable state.

Monday, 3 o’clock.”

J. Wilson Signed David D. Davis

Source: The Morning Chronicle, Tuesday 25 May 1819

Christening

The infant Princess was privately christened at Kensington Palace on Friday 25 June 1819. The grand saloon was decorated with crimson velvet coverings from the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, and the royal gold font was removed from the Tower of London.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the Bishop of London, christened the child. The infant Princess received the names: Alexandrina Victoria.

Her sponsors were His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Alexander of all the Russias (represented by His Royal Highness the Duke of York), Her Majesty the Queen Dowager of Würtemberg (represnted by Her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta) and Her Serene Highness the Duchess Dowager of Coburg (represented by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester).

The Prince Regent and nearly all the royal family were present. In the evening the Duke of Kent gave a dinner.

On Sunday 27 June 1819 Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was publicly churched in the parish church of Kensington by the Bishop of Salisbury. The Duke of Kent led the Duchess to the Communion table.

The order of succession to the throne at the time was: Prince Regent, Duke of York, Duke of Clarence, Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent, Duke of Cumberland, Prince .. of Cumberland, Duke of Sussex, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, daughters of his Majesty according to seniority.

Source: Edinburgh Magazine & The Gentleman’s Magazine 1819

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