.the princess portal.

One of my favourite british princesses is Princess Louise, she was born in 1848 as the sixth child of Queen Victoria. Considered the prettiest of Victoria’s daughters she was also very accomplished, being tutored in art by a well known sculpturess, she was also accounted by all as very bright and good tempered. Being rather liberal minded she was forward thinking on the issues of poverty and women’s rights.

What is unusual about Princess Louise was her marriage. Although the Queen had intended her for a Prussian prince, she had no desire to be shipped off to a foreign court and instead married the Marquis of Lorne, who was not of royal blood. The Marquis was a bright intelligent man, a member of parliament and the perfect match for her artistic temperament. Although in those times it was frowned apon for a Princess to marry below her rank, Louise made her choice and was respected for it by both her family and the public.

As a married woman, who later became Duchess of Argyll when her husband succeeded the Duke, she did not settle down to a life of motherhood and managing house. Rather she surrounded herself with artists and philanthropists and became involved in many organisations, including those that benefitted poor women. In 1872 she became the president of the National Union for the Higher Education of Women, eagerly promoting this cause. Her artistic achievements were highly regarded, she could paint, write and sculpt with great skill and some of her works survive today. She died at the age of 91, having survived World War I and the loss of her husband.

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