Accouchement of Her Majesty
Birth of a Prince of Wales.
The Royal Birth
“The Queen was safely delivered of a Prince this morning at 48 minutes past 10 o’clock.
“Her Majesty and the Infant Prince are perfectly well.
“James Clark, M.D.,
“Charles Locock, M.D.,
“Robert Ferguson, M.D.,
“Richard Blagden.
“Buckingham Palace, Tuesday, November 9, 1841,
“Half-past 11 o’clock, a.m.”
Dr. Locock and Prince Albert, with the nurse, were the only persons in the Queen’s chamber, situated in the north-west angle of the palace. The Duchess of Kent and the Lady in Waiting were in an apartment immediately adjoining, and close to where Sir James Clark and his medical colleagues were assembled. The Ministers, Privy Councillors, and Great Officers of State occupied one of the state rooms. It has been stated that these all wore the Windsor uniform; such is not the fact; not one of them did so. The Duke of Wellington wore the dress of Constable of the Tower, Earl Jersey the official dress of Master of the Horse, the Earl of Liverpool, Earl Delawarr, and the Marquis of Exeter wore their household uniforms, and the Ministers their official dresses.
The birth took place at 12 minutes to 11 o’clock, and was duly announced to the great functionaries of the kingdom assembled by Sir James Clark, and they were soon afterwards gratified with a sight of the royal infant.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Wharncliffe, Lord President of the Council, and Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, were too late, arriving at the palace a few minutes after the birth had taken place. It is an error in some of the accounts which have been published which stated that the Archbishop of Canterbury was present at the birth. The Bishop of London was the only prelate present.
Gazette Extraordinary
The following is the official announcement from the London Gazette Extraordinary, published early in the afternoon:—
“Buckingham Palace, Nov. 9, 1841.
“This morning, at twelve minutes before eleven, the Queen was happily delivered of a Prince, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, several Lords of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, and the Ladies of Her Majesty’s Bed-chamber, being present.
“The great and important news was immediately made known to the town by the firing of the Park and Tower guns; and the Privy Council being assembled as soon as possible thereupon, at the Council Chamber, Whitehall, it was ordered that a Form of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s safe delivery of a Prince be prepared by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be used in all churches and chapels throughout England, Wales, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, on Sunday, the 14th of November, or the Sunday after the respective ministers shall receive the same.
“Her Majesty and the Infant Prince are, God be praised, both doing well.”
The auspicious event, although daily anticipated for the last fortnight, has come upon the country with a pleasurable sudden surprise.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent remained with the Queen throughout the day until six o’clock in the afternoon, when Her Royal Highness returned to Clarence House.
The nobility and gentry thronged during the afternoon to Buckingham Palace.
The Birth the Birth of the Prince of Wales
Tune—King and the Countryman.
You’ve heard of Sailor Jack, no doubt,
Who found our Queen Victoria out,
Who ev’ry time ashore he went,
On visiting the Queen was bent.
Ri tooral, &c.
Now Jack, who’d travell’d far away,
Returned to port the other day—
He left his messmates all behind,
For he heard the Queen had been confin’d.
Ri tooral, &c.
‘Shiver my timbers! here’s a breeze
She’s got a young ’un now to please—
So straight to London I must go,
To see who’s got the craft in tow.’
Ri tooral, &c.
Now Jack he to the Palace came—
He’d got no card, so he sent his name.
‘Go back!’ says they, ‘she wont see you!’
Says Jack—‘No, damme, if I do!’
Ri tooral, &c.
‘Stand back, you lubbers! Not see me,
The old friend of Her Majesty?’
He floored them all—’mid shout and din—
And got where the Queen was lying in.
Ri tooral, &c.
Each in amazement viewed the scene—
Says he ‘I’m comed to see the Queen!’
The Queen she threw the curtains back—
Says she—‘What’s that my old friend Jack?’
Ri tooral, &c.
Jack turned his quid, and scratched his tail,
When he saw the Queen looked rather pale—
Says she, ‘Jack, don’t you be dejected—
They say I’m as well as can be expected!’
Ri tooral, &c.
Says Jack, when he beheld the boy,
‘Your Majesty, I wish you joy!
Some day he’ll rule us in your stead,
For damme, I likes his figure head!’
Ri tooral, &c.
The folks at Court enjoyed the scene,
To see the sailor with the Queen,
For he took the Prince upon his lap,
And gave him lots of royal pap.
Ri tooral, &c.
Says Jack, ‘So long I’ve been to sea,
That ev’ry fish is known to me—
I’ve seen their heads, I’ve seen their tails,
And now I’ve seen a Prince of Wales.’
Ri tooral, &c.
It was really quite a treat to see
Jack dance the Prince upon his knee—
But, finding what he was about,
He held his Royal Highness out!
Ri tooral, &c.
The nurse his Royal Highness took,
And gave to Jack a knowing look—
And with the rest, to crown the scene,
Jack took his caudle with the Queen!
Ri tooral, &c.
Then Jack he to his shipmates went,
On fun and frolic still intent—
Our standing toast shall be, he cries,
‘God bless his little Royal eyes!’
Ri tooral, &c.
John Marks, Printer, 206, Brick Lane, Whitechapel.—Country Dealers and the Trade supplied.