CLAREMONT 109 



gardens and grounds at Claremont were begun. By the 

 advice of Sir Joseph Banks, the famous botanist and President 

 of the Royal Society, a Scotchman named Fairbairn was 

 appointed head gardener ; but all work came to a sudden 

 stop on the death of the Princess before the winter had 

 fairly set in. Prince Leopold continued to live for the most 

 part in England, but does not seem to have cared to carry on 

 the contemplated improvements, or to have spent much time 

 at Claremont. In 1831 he became King of the Belgians, 

 and married a second time in the following year. His wife 

 was the eldest daughter of Louis Philippe, and on the exile 

 of the Orleans family from France in 1848, Claremont 

 became their home of refuge. Louis Philippe himself only 

 lived to enjoy its comfort and beauty for two years, but it 

 continued to be the property of King Leopold until his death 

 in 1865. During the early years of their married life, Queen 

 Victoria and the Prince Consort frequently retired here for 

 privacy and repose. In 1843 the Queen wrote, "This place 

 has a peculiar charm for us both, and to me it brings back 

 recollections of the happiest days of my otherwise dull 

 childhood," and it is said that amongst the beautiful glades 

 of Claremont she first practised the art of sketching from 

 nature. 



On the marriage of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, 

 with Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont in 1882, 

 Queen Victoria again showed her affection for the place. 

 She bought it as her private property, and settled it on her 

 son and daughter-in-law for their joint lives. Her Royal 

 Highness the Duchess of Albany has resided there for many 

 months in every year since her marriage. It may quite 

 safely be said that in the two hundred years since Claremont 

 became an important seat, none of its occupants have made 

 themselves so universally beloved as the Royal lady who 

 now owns it. Ever ready in the cause of charity, and ever 

 willing to help in all good works, the name of the Duchess 

 of Albany, for miles round Esher, is a synonym for gracious 

 benevolence. 



