On this day, 11th July 1866, Princess Irene, daughter of Princess Alice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was born at New Palace, Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse
“Very, very hot. — Telegrams saying Emperor meant to enforce Armistice & That Gablenz had been sent back from Prussian Headquarters, without the King seeing him. — Went after breakfast to look at the tent being put up on the lawn, for the dance I am going to give to the servants, in honour of Lenchen’s wedding. — Then sat under the trees writing & signing papers. — On coming in, heard that Alice had had a 3rd daughter, a very big child. Both were well, but I fear it will be a great disappointment that it is not a boy. — After luncheon looking though papers & Augusta S. reading to me the account of Ld Derby’s to statement on the 9th — More telegrams. Nothing decided about the Armistice. — Tea out on the Upper Terrace after which we all, with the Ladies & Gentlemen went to the Tent erected on the lawn & were present at the Dance given for the servants & same of the people on the Estate. They were rather bashful at first, but still they danced without ceasing. We stopped till 7 & went back again for a short while after dinner. —”
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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