Chapter 2366 - 302: I, Hastings, Didn’t Stoke the Fire! You All Saw It_2

"Controversy?" she repeated, with a hint of disbelief in her voice. "Albert, as a relative of the Queen, why would there be any controversy? The first row of the cathedral should rightfully have a place for him. At the very least, I can only accept Albert being just behind the Royal Dukes."

Albert gently tilted his head, seemingly wanting to remind his aunt to maintain her composure, but under the Duchess of Kent’s angry gaze, he wisely chose to remain silent.

Arthur, witnessing the scene, was inwardly quite amused, yet he maintained a gentle, respectful, and even slightly puzzled expression on his face.

"Your Highness, from a ceremonial standpoint... your view is completely correct." Arthur sighed, "However, beyond ceremony, there are political realities."

The Duchess of Kent furrowed her brow even tighter, "Political realities? Is my nephew now becoming a diplomatic burden for Britain?"

Arthur quickly shook his head, "No, Your Highness, I believe Viscount Palmerston has absolutely no such intention. His Royal Highness Albert’s character and demeanor are beyond doubt. But the issue is not with him, but rather with... the delicate relationship between Her Majesty’s Government and Belgium."

The Duchess of Kent’s expression immediately cooled, "Are you referring to Leopold?"

Arthur neither nodded nor shook his head; he maintained his silence.

In reality, such issues hardly required much explanation from him.

Arthur was convinced that the King of Belgium must have already written letters complaining to his sister long ago.

After all, Belgium still faces territorial disputes with the Netherlands, yet Palmerston, fearing that Belgium might become a bridgehead for France in the Low Countries, issued a diplomatic statement openly supporting Prussia’s diplomatic initiatives in support of the Netherlands to curb the expansion of French influence.

Palmerston’s considerations were not without reason. In recent years, the July Monarchy Government of France has been aggressively expanding outward. King Louis Philippe’s government not only helped Egyptian governor Muhammad Ali defeat his suzerain, the Ottoman Empire, but also devoured Algeria in North Africa, and the protracted Spanish war of succession continually increased France’s influence on the Iberian Peninsula.

And although King Leopold of Belgium is Victoria’s uncle, he is also the son-in-law of King Louis Philippe of France. Thus, the Foreign Office naturally cannot fully trust this ruler of Belgium.

Particularly concerning for the Foreign Office is the largest port in Belgium, Antwerp.

In Palmerston’s view, if France were to seize Antwerp, it would be akin to holding a handgun pointed at the heart of Britain.

Therefore, to prevent France and Belgium from uniting, Britain should preemptively weaken Belgium.

More importantly, when placing Belgium alongside the Netherlands, the issue becomes even clearer.

Although Britain and the Netherlands have numerous trade disputes, most are reconcilable, and politically, Britain and the Netherlands have long been allies against France. This time, supporting the Dutch is not solely Britain’s effort; Prussia, Austria, and Russia—old friends of the Anti-France Alliance—are also among the supporters.

Therefore, from the perspective of opposing France, supporting the Netherlands is naturally the only choice.

However, while supporting the Netherlands aligns perfectly with Palmerston’s diplomatic approach to curb France at all costs, on a personal level, it undoubtedly hurt the Duchess of Kent and the Saxon-Coburg-Gotha Family.

Arthur had heard Victoria at Buckingham Palace mentioning how her Uncle Leopold’s disappointment was palpable in his letters.

Leopold wrote in his letter:

"From the moment the diplomatic statement was issued, the Dutch rhetoric became exceedingly domineering, with constant mentions of forced measures, bombardments, and the like. For years, I have maintained a sincere and profound friendship with Viscount Palmerston, and I believe he himself did not anticipate the significance that statement would have. But I must clarify that this matter hurts me more than it hurts the Belgians because I came to this country from England and was elected here due to the assistance of the British government.

I have never been in a position where I needed to request any favor from you, so the modest services I provided were always based on complete selflessness. Yet your government’s first diplomatic act towards Belgium after your ascension seems directed at me, causing a considerable stir across the European Continent. I will never make requests against England’s interests, but you must understand, being treated as an enemy is entirely different from actively seeking favors."

Truthfully, when Arthur heard Victoria relay Leopold’s letter, he nearly laughed out loud.

Why are there such naive people in this world?

If you were to place your faith in someone, anyone else would be better. Even if you trusted the telegraph lines of the England Electromagnetic Telegraph Company, you shouldn’t trust Palmerston’s prior diplomatic assurances. After all, the former is tangible, whereas the latter is entirely an empty promise.

Perhaps Leopold believed that, given his relationship with Victoria, as long as he spoke up as her uncle, Victoria would certainly side with Belgium.

Sadly, at least for now, Victoria not only entirely refrained from expressing such intentions at the Privy Council meetings, but she also responded to him with platitudes in her letters.

"My dearest uncle, please rest assured that Viscount Melbourne and Viscount Palmerston always consider Belgium’s prosperity and welfare as paramount and are thus extremely eager to see this thorny issue resolved to your satisfaction. Please allow me to once again implore you to use your significant influence over the Belgian people to help calm their passionate emotions on this matter. Your situation is exceptionally difficult, and no one can understand your current pains better than I."

What?

Are you asking how Arthur knows what Victoria wrote in her reply to Leopold?

Is that even a question?

Because that very passage was embellished by Sir Arthur on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen!

Of course, Arthur would never reveal these minute details to the Duchess of Kent, as he believed that someone of her esteemed status should not be troubled by such trivial affairs.

Such a noble lady only needs to be aware that the Melbourne Cabinet of the Whig Party, especially Viscount Palmerston, is targeting her family.

The Duchess of Kent’s chest rose and fell gently with her breath, and her originally composed demeanor was no longer maintainable.

"This is outrageous! I’ve endured time and again. I’ve tolerated the Belgian issue, fearing they would accuse me of political interference. I’ve tolerated the Dutch’s aggressiveness, fearing they would accuse me of favoritism toward family. I have tolerated Viscount Palmerston’s insolence, forcing myself to maintain respect for the Cabinet! But, but let me make one thing clear!"

The Duchess of Kent pointed at Albert, "I will not allow my nephew to be placed in a corner of the church. I will not allow the Saxon-Coburg-Gotha Family to be considered insignificant German nobility!"

Albert’s eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting his always gentle aunt to be so furious.

"Aunt."

"No need to persuade me." Suddenly, the Duchess of Kent turned to Arthur, "Sir Arthur, I must thank you. You are, as always, a candid and upright gentleman, and not everyone would have the courage to say what you told me today."

Arthur bowed his head slightly, "Your Highness, I acted on a momentary impulse as well."

"Rest assured." The Duchess of Kent gritted her teeth, "You are a gentleman, and I certainly cannot betray your goodwill. What you told me today will not reach the ears of others. As for... Viscount Palmerston..."

Albert’s brow twitched suddenly, and he hurriedly asked, "Where are you going?"

The Duchess of Kent said nothing more, just adjusted her shawl, "Albert, stay and talk more with Sir Arthur; it will be beneficial for you. As for me, I’m heading to the Foreign Office right now!"

"Are you declaring war?"

Albert barely managed to stop the Duchess, but he was ultimately a step too late.

The Duchess of Kent’s figure quickly disappeared around the corner, leaving Kensington Garden to return to its tranquility.

The birdsong resumed on the branches.

Albert and Arthur remained silent.

The air was tense for a few seconds.

Finally, it was Arthur who broke the silence, "Your Highness, have you read the newspapers recently?"