# V: Lord Palmerston explained — Queen Victoria

> Chapter companion for Queen Victoria by Lytton Strachey.

## What happens

This chapter examines the growing conflict between Prince Albert and Lord Palmerston, the Foreign Secretary, whose bold, popular, and quintessentially English style clashed with Albert's constitutional and foreign-influenced approach. It details Palmerston's character and methods, the public and aristocratic perception of Albert as un-English, and the political struggle that culminated in Palmerston becoming Prime Minister during the Crimean War, while Albert's influence, guided by Baron Stockmar, sought to redefine the Crown's role.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Independence

The struggle between Palmerston's bold, independent exercise of power and Albert's constitutional, behind-the-scenes influence, with Stockmar as a shadowy figure, highlights competing visions of authority.

### Monarchy and Constitutional Role

Albert's definition of his role as 'permanent minister' and the Crown's creeping power, guided by Stockmar, raise questions about the constitutional balance and the influence of a foreign Prince.

### Public Perception and Popularity

Palmerston's immense popularity contrasts with Albert's unpopularity in high society and among the public, who view him as un-English and foreign-influenced.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Albert

Depicted as un-English, a foreigner whose political influence and constitutional vision clash with Palmerston's popular style; he is guided by Stockmar and seeks to sink his individual existence into that of the Queen.

### Lord Palmerston

The bold, experienced, and supremely self-confident Foreign Secretary, antithetical to Albert; his private life is far from respectable, but he is a master of crisis management and immensely popular with the public.

### Queen Victoria

Supportive of Albert's role, delighted when his position is vindicated by Parliament; she has given up society under Albert's influence.

### Baron Stockmar

The shadowy foreign figure behind Albert, whose influence over the Prince and the Crown alarms the public; he is the master of Albert, the pupil.

### Lord John Russell

Prime Minister during Palmerston's third term as Foreign Secretary; later pronounces Palmerston 'too old to do much in the future' before Palmerston becomes Prime Minister.

### Lady Cowper

Sister of Lord Melbourne and Palmerston's late-in-life wife, one of the most influential Whig hostesses, strengthening Palmerston's social position.

### Duke of Wellington

Addressed by Albert in 1850 regarding the Prince's constitutional role and duties.

## Key lines

> a tall, big man of sixty-two, with a jaunty air, a large face, dyed whiskers, and a long sardonic upper lip.

Palmerston was a large, confident man with a flamboyant appearance and a mocking expression.

_Physical description of Lord Palmerston emphasizing his bold, self-assured character._

> He lived by instinct—by a quick eye and a strong hand, a dexterous management of every crisis as it arose, a half-unconscious sense of the vital elements in a situation.

Palmerston relied on intuition and decisive action, skillfully handling each crisis as it came.

_Describes Palmerston's instinctive and effective style of governance._

> The Prince, in a word, was un-English. What that word precisely meant it was difficult to say; but the fact was patent to every eye.

Albert was perceived as fundamentally foreign and not fitting English norms, a fact obvious to everyone.

_Highlights the public and aristocratic perception of Prince Albert as alien._

> Deep in the darkness the Baron loomed. Another foreigner! Decidedly, there were elements in the situation which went far to justify the popular alarm.

Baron Stockmar, another foreigner, was seen as a shadowy, powerful figure behind Albert, fueling public fears.

_Reflects the public anxiety about foreign influence on the Crown through Stockmar._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/v-lord-palmerston
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters