MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN— MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. (Hansard, 18 May 1857)

§ EARL GRANVILLE

My Lords, in accordance with the invariable practice, that when a Message of this character is received from the Crown your Lordships agree to an Address in reply on the same evening, I now rise to move an Address which I am sure will meet with your Lordships' unanimous assent. Many of your Lordships have had opportunity of observing how completely Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal has fulfilled those expectations as to her life and character which were justly to be formed from the education she has received and the example which has ever been presented to her. I believe, too, that some of your Lordships have had opportunities of observing that the character, manners, and feelings of the Prince whom Her Royal Highness is about to marry are such as to promise a more than usual measure of happiness from the union. Your Lordships, I am sure, are 383 ready to testify in every way your desire to promote the comfort and happiness of the Parents of the Princess Royal, and to contribute to whatever may reward them for the manner in which they have discharged their domestic duties and the care and attention they have bestowed on the education of their child. I do not think it necessary to trouble your Lordships with any further remarks, but will move at once— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, to return to Her Majesty the thanks of this House for Her most gracious communication of the intended marriage between the Princess Royal and his Royal Highness Prince Frederick William of Prussia, to express their satisfaction at the prospect of an alliance with a Prince of so illustrious a family, which they doubt not will contribute to the happiness of Her Majesty and of Her Royal Highness as well as prove conducive to the best interests of this kingdom; and to assure Her Majesty that the House will immediately proceed to the consideration of Her Majesty's gracious message in such a manner as shall demonstrate the zeal, duty, and affectionate attachment of this House to Her Majesty, a just sense of the merits of Her Royal Highness, and a due regard to the dignity of the Royal Family and the honour of this country.

§ THE EARL OF DERBY

My Lords, I am sure that your Lordships will unanimously agree to the Address which has just been moved by my noble Friend. As I understand him, the Message from Her Majesty, so far as relates to the details in connection with the marriage, will have to be considered by your Lordships on some future occasion. We are therefore now only called upon to express our feeling of loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty, and the satisfaction with which you witness any event which can contribute to Her happiness and the happiness of the Royal Family. Those feelings are, I am convinced, entertained, not only by every Member of this House, but by every member of the community. It has been the good fortune of Her Majesty that her marriage, unlike Royal marriages in general, was one not founded on considerations of policy alone, but on a personal acquaintance, personal esteem, and personal attachment. I hope and believe that the same remark may be applied to that marriage to which the attention of your Lordships is now directed; and I feel assured that your Lordships can express no better wish for the future happiness and welfare of the young Princess whose marriage is about to be celebrated, than that, as she enters into wedded life under the same auspices as her illustrious mother, so in the course of it she may enjoy the same happiness, 384 merited by the same domestic virtues. I have much pleasure in expressing my entire concurrence in the Address.