VICTORIA, reine de Grande-Bretagne (1819-1901)

Set of 3 L.A.S.: "VRI", addressed to Princess Clementine d'Orléans de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha (1817-1907), Osborne, October 27, 1885: 2 pages; Osborne, January 1, 1886, 4 ½ pages; Osborne, August 11, 1886, 1 ½ pages, on headed paper with her monogram under crown, mourning borders, text in French. Enclosed is a photographic portrait of Princess Clementine, signed Victor Angerer (1839-1894) in Vienna, depicting her posing in profile, in widow's attire, with her autograph signature: "Clementine, Osborne, 1885". Cabinet-sized, cardboard-mounted vintage print, with the photographer's name at the bottom and on the back. Good condition. "My dearest Clém, This letter is only to send you the details of our dear Ferdinand's death as you did not receive any during ( ). You can show them to your children and (...) who must painfully repent the loss of all these dear Pupils. All beautiful and strong. I will write to you in a day or two. Jane thanks you for your kind letter of the 22nd. Always, your devoted cousin and friend. Alphonse might like to read you this sad letter" - "My dearest Clém, receive all my warmest and most fervent wishes for the New Year! May you have as much happiness and consolation as possible in this journey of joys and sorrows! When you see Archduchess Elisabeth, tell me how much I pity her poor young daughter, who is in the same state as my poor daughter-in-law Hélène was when my dear son was taken away! But in what difficult position is she? They say she's behaving admirably. I only fear that too much is being done for her health. Christmas is now for me a very sad time - because (...) season reminds me more of the memories of other times - of what had been and what is no more! Arthur's wife and children, Hélène ... and her poor children, the eldest of whom is lovely, and (of course) Beatrice and Henri, whose happiness is perfect, who are always with me - they were all here, and still are. We also had my daughter-in-law Louise's very nice younger brother for Christmas. We are very proud of the Prince of Bulgaria, who is truly a Hero - and has made a name for himself in the history of our times. Have you heard from Marie Waldemar? Now farewell my dear Clém, may God bless you and all your dear children and believe me forever, your all, devoted cousin and friend" - "Dear Clém, you told me that you admired the gold and silver Indian objects. I'd like to offer you two as a souvenir (...). Always your devoted cousin and friend". History: Queen Victoria named Prince Alexander Battenberg, brother of Henry Battenberg and husband of her daughter Princess Beatrice, Prince of Bulgaria. In September 1885, Prince Alexander Battenberg unified Bulgaria, and even the Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid II had to recognize him as Governor General of the southeastern part of Bulgaria, which the Ottoman Empire claimed as its own. In November 1885, Bulgaria won the war against Serbia, and Alexander was considered a true hero. This is probably exactly what Queen Victoria meant on January 1, 1886. However, the Russian emperor insisted that Alexander be removed from the Bulgarian throne, and the Russians staged a coup d'état in September 1886. Alexander I Battenberg was forced to leave Bulgaria, and Parliament sought another "Prince of Bulgaria". This was Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Clementine's youngest son. Queen Victoria was against the idea, hoping that Alexander I Battenberg would return to the Bulgarian throne. The emperor was also against, as Bulgarian politicians rejected the prince proposed by Russia.