Chapter 2363 - 301: Hastings Is the True Supporter of the Duchess of Kent

For the Duchess of Kent, the days when her nephew Albert visited Britain and stayed at Kensington Palace were perhaps some of her rare moments of happiness over the past year.

Although since Victoria’s ascension, her residence has changed from Kensington Palace to Buckingham Palace.

However, after Albert arrived, the Duchess of Kent specially moved back for a brief stay at Kensington Palace.

She did this firstly to prevent her nephew from feeling lonely while living alone at Kensington Palace, and secondly to prevent Albert from being excluded by other British Royal Family members residing at Kensington Palace.

Although Victoria has now ascended the throne, perhaps due to her daughter’s neglect, the Duchess of Kent still feels that she and her Saxony-Coburg-Gotha relatives could be disregarded at any time in Britain.

Of course, she cannot entirely attribute her thoughts to paranoia.

Because in nearly the past 20 years, she indeed suffered many unjust treatments within the British Royal Family.

George IV disliked his brother, the Duke of Kent, and therefore naturally did not have much regard for the Duke’s widow.

As for King William IV, this old sailor got into serious conflicts with the Duchess of Kent.

Especially concerning Victoria’s marital choices; to prevent Victoria from marrying into the Saxony-Coburg-Gotha Family, King William IV even considered banning members of the Saxony-Coburg-Gotha Family from coming to Britain.

In the Duchess of Kent’s view, although the daughter has successfully ascended the throne, she not only failed to gain power through her daughter’s elevation but instead was abandoned by her.

Thus, she now places all her little remaining hope on her nephew Albert.

If Albert and Victoria could wed, perhaps she, as a mother, might still have the chance to return to the center of power.

At the Duchess of Kent’s behest, Kensington Palace displayed the greatest enthusiasm for Albert’s arrival, making the palace, which had gradually grown silent following Victoria’s departure, unusually vibrant.

However, no one knows whether this vigor will persist or vanish quickly like the rain on the streets of London.

In the afternoon at the Kensington Palace Garden, the wet soil still carried the coolness from the light rain the previous night.

Speckled light and shadow fell on the bench through the branches of the chestnut trees.

The Duchess of Kent wore a smile on her face, holding her nephew’s hand affectionately, concerned about Albert’s academic life at Bonn University.

"Is life at Bonn University going well? I’ve heard that the academic atmosphere there is more active than in Berlin or Gottingen. I know you like to read, but don’t always bury yourself in books; sometimes you should go out and breathe the fresh air."

Albert raised his head and smiled shyly: "Aunt, the professors at Bonn are indeed rigorous, especially Professor Schlegel and Professor Fichte; I really enjoy attending their classes. As for getting fresh air... I take walks every evening. The air around the Rhine River is much warmer than in Coburg, and it really suits me."

On hearing this, the Duchess of Kent finally felt relieved: "When your father and they told me they wanted to send you to study at Bonn, I was a bit worried; I thought Berlin and Gottingen wouldn’t be better destinations? But hearing you say this now, Bonn University doesn’t seem that lacking."

Hearing this, Albert couldn’t help but speak up: "Berlin might be a good choice, but Gottingen..."

"What about Gottingen?"

Albert asked, "Haven’t you heard what happened at Gottingen last year? Since the incident, a third of the professors left Gottingen, and this year’s enrollment hit a 30-year low; many current students have transferred."

"Ah! Gottingen Seven Gentlemen? That incident also caused quite a stir in Britain." The Duchess of Kent finally recalled after being reminded: "But I’m not surprised about this; having that hateful Duke of Cumberland as king would surely lead to such incidents."

She then turned to ask: "By the way, do you know Britain now has a little Gottingen?"

"A little Gottingen?"

"Yes, University of London." The Duchess of Kent explained with a laugh: "They seem to have hired many professors from Gottingen, such as George Ohm, William Weber, and they appear to be promoting German-style educational reform, so now British newspapers all call them little Gottingen."

Albert asked, "All of this is led by Sir Arthur Hastings, right?"

The Duchess of Kent asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

"Because he served as the academic director at Gottingen University!" Albert replied smilingly: "When I’m in class at Bonn University, I occasionally see professors referencing his educational views."

Mentioning Arthur, the Duchess of Kent suddenly felt a mix of emotions.

She couldn’t quite articulate her feelings towards that young man.

To say she disliked him wouldn’t be accurate.

After all, when everyone thought she was doomed, Arthur was one of the few who didn’t kick her when she was down.

But to say she liked him didn’t seem right either.

After all, if Arthur hadn’t made a scene at Ramsgate, Victoria might have agreed to sign the Regency Agreement.

But now, looking back, the Duchess of Kent also felt she had been overreacting at Ramsgate.