My dearest Uncle, I must formally invite you now. If you, dear Aunt Louise, and your son, Little Leopold (I insist on his coming), can visit in mid or late August, I would be immensely delighted. Please stay longer than usual, at least for two weeks. You may bring any gentlemen, ladies, maids, or other attendants with you at will. If I could welcome you under my roof and you could attend the concert at Buckingham Palace, I would feel immensely happy and proud.
—— "Victoria's Letters Collection" Alexandrina Victoria
The morning in Buckingham Palace Garden was exceptionally quiet.
The late summer air of London carried a trace of coolness, and the dewdrops on the grass blades shimmered with a subtle silver glow under the sunlight.
In the distance, flocks of pigeons were circling low among the stone paths, occasionally flapping up and then gracefully landing on the statues by the fountain.
