EARLY BELGIAN COLONIAL EFFORTS - The University of Texas at ...

and Palmerston reached a climax in 1851 with Palmerston’s resignation at Victoria’s
insistence. Although short-lived, Victoria’s glee was hard to suppress. 127
Victoria’s reign continued on a positive note despite the unpopular and short-
lived termination of Palmerston. She and Albert, with the ubiquitous Stockmar in the
background 128 were constantly on the defensive regarding what was perceived as their
pro-German stance and influence and purported meddling by Leopold. Despite these
difficulties, Albert was generally able to overcome these biases and eventually won the
respect of the English people. However, Albert died quite unexpectedly in 1861, an
event which cast Victoria into mourning until her death. 129
In later years Palmerston and Victoria reconciled sufficiently for her to twice
approve of him as prime minister. Stockmar left for Coburg and became increasingly
occupied with German unification until his death in 1863. Leopold’s influence over
Victoria slowly declined as the relationship of student and teacher gave way to one of
sovereign and respected, but elderly uncle. It simply became more difficult for Leopold
to maintain interest in both England and Belgium while simultaneously playing the
Nestor of Europe. The changing relationship between Victoria and Leopold was looked
upon with approval by both Palmerston and the Cabinet. Palmerston was clearly his
own man.
127 “ My dearest Uncle,- I have the greatest pleasure in announcing to you a piece of news which
I know will give you as much satisfaction and relief as it does to us, and will do to the whole of the world.
Lord Palmerston is no longer Foreign Secretary—and Lord Granville has already named his successor!”
Victoria to Leopold, 23 December, 1851, in Benson, 2:345.
128 “…his spiritual son…” Pierre Crabitès, Victoria's Guardian Angel; a Study of Baron
Stockmar, 1st. ed. (New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1938), 212.
129 Queen Victoria allegedly had a relationship with her servant John Brown many years after the
death of Albert. Although there is no definitive evidence of the relationship it was seemly verified by the
67