Mary, who also happened to be Marie’s cousin, supported Marie by publicly appearing with her, driving around. Her husband later wrote, “I certainly think the English relations have behaved better & are more sensible about it all. The parents are the worst and ought to be ashamed of themselves.”1 Augusta believed in her granddaughter’s innocence and managed to convince Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales as well. And she never forgot the support she received from them. Marie gave birth to a girl, who was reportedly raised with the protection of Augusta. Her subsequent marriage to Count George Jametel was deeply unhappy and eventually ended in divorce.
Life returned to normal, and as the year 1901 began, Augusta wrote to Mary, “My old loving heart will be with you in the ensuing century as it is and has ever been in this!”2
On 22 January 1901, Queen Victoria died at Osborne House. Mary wrote to Augusta, “The Queen looked so beautiful after death, like a marble statue & much younger.”3 Augusta, who had been born during the reign of King George IV, now entered her fourth reign, that of King Edward VII. Later, Mary sent her some pressed flowers from Queen Victoria’s bedroom and complained about the fact that the new King had so far refused to create Prince George Prince of Wales. In 1901, Augusta and her granddaughter Marie set off for London unannounced, as she wanted to see the new court. She was disturbed to see some of the changes King Edward VII had made. But then again, Augusta hated all the modern inventions. Nevertheless, she was persuaded to see a film of herself and was amazed by the likeness.
The year 1904 brought two more significant losses for Augusta. In March, her brother George died at the age of 84. The title Duke of Cambridge, which had been created for their father, went extinct as George’s three sons were considered to be illegitimate. The title was recreated in 2011 for Prince William of Wales. Augusta was not at his side and only travelled to England in April to sort through his possessions. She was still there when she received the news that her husband, Frederick William, had died at the age of 84. They had been married for 61 years. Mary wrote, “At 12, I heard the news of poor uncle Fritz Mecklenburg’s death the night before – I went at once to poor aunt Augusta, who was very much upset at the news.”4
Augusta returned home immediately and later sent Mary a detailed account of what her “dearest Frederick” looked like in death. She wrote, “His features are quite beautiful indeed, so finely marbled, and as he lies there, one can see what a real gentleman he was and what blood he had in his veins; his colour has darkened a little, otherwise he is unchanged. I am glad I can see his dear face still! But it is so dreadfully sad, and seems so strange to me to see Dolphus running about, giving orders, doing all himself (like others do), he had a special to meet me half way to Berlin, tried to keep up and praised me for showing the brave old Guelph!”5
Dolphus, her son, was now Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Augusta wrote to Mary, “Strelitz that was never a military state, suddenly is all drums and fifes. Such a pity, a bad imitation of Schwerin & small German courts, while we were a gentlemanlike civilian court!”6 About her daughter-in-law, Elisabeth, she wrote, “She, however, welters in happiness at her luxurious Schloss, wearing a new Paris dress daily, diamonds also, when we are quite entre nous. Yes, she does enjoy being a Grand Duchess! Poor dear, I am glad she does, for I never did, I was satisfied with what I ever was and am still!”7 Following her husband’s death, she received a personal visit from Mary in Neustrelitz.
Augusta stayed on top of the royal news. She was horrified to learn that Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, whose father had been born from a morganatic marriage, was to become Queen of Spain. She was even more horrified to learn of the wedding day assassination attempt. In 1905, the Norwegians elected Prince Carl of Denmark as their King, which seemed ridiculous to Augusta. Augusta also assisted Mary with collecting objects of royal historical significance. The old Grand Duchess lived through yet another reign when King Edward VII died on 6 May 1910. His son now became King George V with Augusta’s beloved Mary as his Queen.
In the year of the coronation, Augusta’s son, who also attended the coronation, was made a Knight of the Garter, much to Augusta’s delight. Mary had begged Augusta (who was now 89 years old) to come to the coronation. She had been consulted on several occasions on some issues, as she had recollections from the coronation of King William IV and Queen Adelaide in 1831. Augusta wrote, “Oh! That would have been my fourth [coronation], but this I dare not think of, unless aerobike takes me to fly across. Shall I venture?!”8
In 1912, Augusta celebrated her 90th birthday. She was still as alert as ever and devoured the newspapers. However, she was quite deaf and had to use an ear-trumpet. Mary visited her aunt that summer and brought along her daughter, Princess Mary. Augusta took her very first ride in a motorcar that week. Mary and George visited Germany the following year and were able to see Augusta for a few hours. This would be their last in-person meeting.
The year 1914 not only saw the start of the First World War but also the death of Augusta’s son, Adolphus Frederick, at the age of 65. Her 31-year-old bachelor grandson had become Adolphus Frederick VI, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. They were close, and he was devoted to his grandmother. Augusta was able to keep up her correspondence with Mary through Crown Princess Louise of Sweden. Augusta became increasingly more isolated as staff had to leave because of the war. However, she used her time to help locate prisoners of war from either side.
In the winter of 1916, the end came for Augusta. She took to her bed, where she spent a month, mostly sleeping. On her deathbed, she sent a message to King George V, “Tell the King it is a stout old English heart that is ceasing to beat!”9 She died on 5 December 1916 at the age of 94. Mary wrote that Augusta’s death was “a great grief to me, having been devoted to each other.”10
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.340-343
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.344
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.347
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.384
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.384-385
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.75
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.85
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.435
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.86
- Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy p.503
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