THE LATE PRINCESS VICTORIA. (Hansard, 4 December 1935)

§ LORD SNELL
My Lords, on behalf of my noble friends I desire sorrowfully and sincerely to support the Motion which the Leader of the. House has placed upon the Order Paper. We note first of all the death of an illustrious lady who, through her many social interests and worthy activities, had greatly endeared herself to many sections of her fellow countrymen and women, and whose help and presence will be missed in the many generous causes which it was her special delight to help. Secondly, we express our sorrow because her death brings bereavement to their Majesties the King and Queen, and because she was a beloved member of the Royal Family of our country. The Angel of death—without reference to our hopes and plans—selects his own time for his visits, which he pays to the rich and the poor alike with a strict and grim impartiality, and we may be certain that the hour of their bereavement caused a special distress to their Majesties, who had promised, in person, to open this new Parliament. They may perhaps find comfort in the sympathy of this House, which is expressed in the Motion on the Paper. No further words of mine are necessary to commend it to your Lordships' attention. It is sufficient for me to repeat that it has the sincere and undivided support of those whom I specially represent.

THE MARQUESS OF CREWE
My Lords, speaking on behalf of noble Lords on these Benches I need only add a very few sentences to what has been so feelingly said by the noble Viscount who leads the House, and by the noble Lord on the Opposition Benches. We all, of course, desire to assure His Majesty and the Royal Family of our profound sympathy in the loss which they have sustained. Her Royal Highness was personally far less known to many of this generation than some other members of the Royal Family, because for many years past her health had not allowed her to engage on a large scale in the beneficent activities in which all members of the Royal Family, without exception, are so conspicuous; but those who are older will not forget that she, gifted as she was with many graces and accomplishments which are appreciated in social life, and also gifted with the keenest sense of enjoyment, set everything aside to be the daily companion and the consolation of her widowed mother, the beloved Queen Alexandra.
Of course at this moment His Majesty the King is most in our minds, but I am sure your Lordships will also wish to express our condolence with Tier Majesty the Queen of Norway, the one survivor of a trio of sisters who were brought up together in a delightful country home and who were able to carryout together all the enjoyments and the duties appertaining to English country life in those days. I need add no more except to support most cordially the Motion made by the noble Viscount opposite.

THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
My Lords, as representing the Spiritual Lords in your Lordships' House may I associate myself most cordially with the words which have been so admirably spoken by the Leader of the House and the noble Lords who have followed; and may I add a few words of my own spoken from a knowledge of Princess Victoria extending over many years? As we have been reminded, Princess Victoria was prevented partly by delicate health, partly perhaps by her own temperament, from taking that active part in public affairs and occasions which is so characteristic of other members of the Royal Family. She spent her years quietly in the intimacies of 48 family life and amid the country scenes which she loved. But she had very real interests of her own, both intellectual and artistic, and, though seldom seen in public ceremonies, she was able to make contacts with ordinary people in her own way, sometimes unconventional, always most kindly. She had a very distinctive personality and could express her own outlook on life in a delightfully frank and humorous way.
As the noble Marquess has just reminded us, to her mother the beloved Queen Alexandra she gave unstinted and unselfish service with a very beautiful devotion. Between His Majesty and Princess Victoria, if I may respectfully say so, there was a singularly deep attachment and affection strengthened by all the hallowed memories of their early home. As we grow older these first dear memories of our lives seem to have an ever deeper place in our hearts. This experience quickens our sympathy with His Majesty in the loss of the beloved sister who shared these memories with him. This understanding sympathy we all desire most truly and loyally to honour.