The SERENE Death of Princess Louise | The Daughter of Queen Victoria

Louise spent a significant amount of her time at Kent House and frequently visited Scotland with her husband. Financial constraints were still present even after Lorne became the Duke, leading Louise to refrain from inviting the King to Inveraray, Argyll's ancestral home, due to the couple's need for economizing. When Queen Victoria had visited the house before Lorne became Duke of Argyll, there were seventy servants and seventy-four dogs. By the time of Edward VII's reign, there were only four servants and two dogs.

She suffered from neuritis in her arm, inflammation of the nerves between the ribs, fainting fits, and sciatica. During this time, Louise kept herself occupied by drafting prayers, one of which was sent to Neville Chamberlain, reading "Guide our Ministers of State and all who are in authority over us..."

The passing of Princess Louise marked a solemn moment in British royal history, occurring on the quiet morning of December 3, 1939. She had reached the remarkable age of 91, having carried with her the weight of nearly seven decades of life experiences, all while donning the very wedding veil that had adorned her head on her wedding day, nearly 70 years earlier. The circumstances surrounding her final farewell were anything but ordinary, as the tumultuous backdrop of World War II influenced the proceedings.
In recognition of the war's exigencies, a simple funeral service was held in her honor. The shadow of conflict hung heavily over the land, prompting a modest and understated ceremony befitting the times. Despite the challenges and constraints imposed by the global conflict, the solemnity of the occasion was not diminished.
As the war raged on, Princess Louise's remains underwent a process of cremation at the Golders Green Crematorium on the 8th of December, 1939. This decision resonated with the practicality and efficiency called for during wartime, as it minimized the burden on resources and logistics that a traditional burial might have demanded.
The final resting place of this beloved royal figure was the subject of careful consideration, given her personal preferences and circumstances. Louise's will contained a clear and poignant directive, specifying that her burial location depended on the place of her death. If she were to pass away in Scotland, her wish was to be laid to rest at the Campbell mausoleum in Kilmun, alongside her cherished husband. However, if the fates decreed her end in England, she desired to be reunited with her parents at Frogmore, a place of familial significance.
On the 12th of December, 1939, Princess Louise's ashes were quietly interred in the Royal Vault at St. George's Chapel. The event drew the presence of numerous members of the British royal family and her own Argyll family, who gathered to pay their respects and bid their final farewells.
A few months later, on the 13th of March, 1940, Princess Louise's ashes were relocated to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, situated near the regal backdrop of Windsor. This tranquil resting place, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the serenity of the Royal Landscape, was a fitting choice for a princess whose life had been defined by an enduring connection to the royal family.
The ceremonial duties were carried out with utmost respect and care, with her coffin being borne by eight Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from her own regiment, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. This tribute acknowledged her long-standing ties to the regiment and added a military touch to the proceedings, reflecting her own deep-rooted connections with the military.
In her passing, Princess Louise left an estate that was not only a testament to her lifetime but also a reflection of the times. Her estate was probated at £239,260, 18 shillings, and sixpence, a substantial sum that showcased her financial standing. Remarkably, her debts, a rather insignificant 15 shillings for cigarettes, provided a curious footnote to her financial matters. In totality, Princess Louise's passing was a poignant and historical moment, marked by simplicity, respect, and a testament to the changing world around her.

[luxste]

It's amazing that she made it to 91 considering she had a "passion for smoking". Great video, thank you!

[baronoflivonia.]

@13:25 Louise, her mother Queen Victoria and John Brown? Great Video.

[lojosmom]

She sounds like a remarkable woman and would have had a close relationship with Princess Diana if they had lived at the same time. She seemed to be a "People's Princess."