Page:Life of Her Majesty Queen Victoria (IA lifeofhermajesty01fawc).pdf/95

 She dissociated herself from party predilections. Politically, as well as personally, her husband came first, and it was "staff o' his conscience" with him that the Sovereign should be loyal to her Ministers to whatever party they might belong. Sir Robert Peel, who became Prime Minister in 1841, formed a very high opinion of the Prince's strong practical judgment and sagacity, and did much to encourage the active part which he took in all state business. Peel and his Foreign Secretary, Lord Aberdeen, were credited with being Prince Albert's tutors, in political affairs, and with having first introduced him into public life. They remarked with satisfaction how modestly he exercised his ever-increasing authority, and never gave a decided opinion without first consulting the Queen. By the end of the Peel Administration the Prince's association with the Queen in all State business had become definitely established. It was a complete partnership; the Ministers always saw the Queen and Prince together, and "both of them always said We—We think, or wish, to do so-and-so; what had we better do?'" &c.

This union was equally close domestically and politically. We have already seen that to be parted from her husband, even for a day or two, was a serious trial to the Queen. The Prince went to Liverpool for a couple of days in 1846, and the Queen wrote to Stockmar in her husband's absence, "I feel very lonely without my dear master; and though I know other people are often separated for a few days, I feel that it could not make me get accustomed to it. … Without him everything loses its interest. … It will always be a terrible pang to me to separate from him, even for a few days, and I pray God never to let me survive him. I glory in his being seen and loved." The pathos of the words in the light of after events