teatimeatwinterpalace:January 22, 1901 – Death of Queen Victoria“That evening [21 january 1901
teatimeatwinterpalace:January 22, 1901 – Death of Queen Victoria“That evening [21 january 1901] for the first time, Bertie sat by his mother’s bedside. She had been lifted from the grand mahogany marital bed and lay in a small bed in centre of the room, a tiny, huddled figure. After he had left, the semiconscious Queen took Reid’s hand and kissed it repeatedly. Mrs Tuck, the Queen’s dresser, more alert or more sensitive to Victoria’s needs, asked her if it was the Prince of Wales she wanted. "Yes” said the Queen.Bertie returned to her bedside, and she said “Kiss my face”. Then she put out her arms and said “Bertie”, whereupon“ he embraces her and broke down completely.”Next morning the Queen was unconscious and clearly dying. The family was summoned to her bedside. Beatrice, Helena and Louise told the blind Queen the names of the people in the room. The only name they omitted to mention was that of the kaiser, who was standing at her bedside. […] In the afternoon, the family was summoned once more. Bertie sat at one side of the bed, behind Reid, who knelt supporting the Queen in a semi-upright position on her pillows. The kaiser knelt opposite supporting her with his good arm. “At 6.30 she breathes her last,” wrote Bertie in his diary. That was all. Not even a hint of the turmoil this intensely emotional man felt at the death of the most powerful woman in his life.” Bertie A Life of Edward VII by Jane Ridley -- source link