nn
n
n Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales, the only childnof George and Caroline, had been born on January 7 1796, and, in 1813, it wasndecided that she was old enough to be formally presented at Court. The day wasndecided, January 18, and Charlotte waited in the drawing room with her mother.nHowever, it had been planned that the Duchess of York, or another female membernof the royal household would present the Princess to the Regent, but Charlottenwas adamant – ‘Either my Mother, or no one.’
n
n
n
 |
| Princess Charlotte |
n
n
n
nEntreaties were made butnshe would not be moved, and so, in the end, the presentation did not takenplace. She continued to show her wilfulness. George decided that she should benmarried, and William, the heir to the House of Orange was selected as thenprospective groom. Charlotte was not overly impressed with William when theynmet, and when she learned that she would be required to go and live in thenNetherlands following the marriage, she stipulated that her mother must benallowed to live there with her, knowing full well that her father would notnagree to this condition.
n
n
n
 |
| Caroline, Princess of Wales |
n
n
n
nWhen George refused, Charlotte broke off thenengagement, and her father, incandescent with rage, ordered her to be detainednat Carlton House, before being moved to Cranbourne House, in Windsor forest,nwhere her grandmother, Queen Charlotte, would be the only permitted visitor,nand that limited to one visit per week.
n
n
n
 |
| Princess Charlotte |
n
n
n
nAfter Charlotte was told about this, innan acrimonious meeting with George, in the evening of the same day, she slippednout of the house, in bonnet and shawl, was helped aboard a hackney-coach innCockspur Street by a bystander, and was driven to Connaught House, where shenhoped to find her mother. Caroline was actually in Blackheath, and a messengernwas sent post-haste to bring her back to her daughter. She rushed back, wherenshe was joined by Brougham, Charlotte’s uncle (the Duke of Sussex), and then ansteady stream of emissaries from Carlton House, including the Lord Chancellor,nEldon, the Bishop of Salisbury, and Lord Ellenborough.
n
n
n
 |
| The Duke of Sussex |
n
n
n
nIt was not until thenfollowing morning that Brougham persuaded her to return to Carlton House, andnonly then by advising her that if news of her flight became known, the publicnwould rise up on her behalf, they would riot and storm Carlton House, the armynwould be called out and bloodshed would be inevitable.
n
n
n
 |
| Carlton House |
n
n
n
nShe insisted that anroyal coach was sent for her, and that Brougham draw up a declaration that shenhad no intention to marry the Hereditary Prince of Orange, that if anynannouncement of such a marriage was made, it was made without her consent, andnthat should a announcement be issued, it was to be made public immediately.nThis declaration was then signed by the Princess of Wales, the Duke of Sussex,nBrougham, and Lady Charlotte Lindsay.
n
n
n
 |
| Caroline, dressed for a masquerade, 1812 |
n
n
n
nRealising the lengths to which the PrincenRegent was prepared to go to separate her from her daughter, and appreciatingnthat their meeting would be limited in the future, Caroline decided that shenwould leave England and, following the defeat of Napoleon, return to Brunswick,nwhere she would visit her brother. With help from Lord Liverpool, Carolinenreceived assurances that George would not intervene if she departed; he wasnprobably delighted just to see the back of her, if the truth be known.
n
n
n
n
n
 |
| Samuel Whitbread |
n
n
nSomencounselled her not to quit the country, Samuel Whitbread being one of the mostnvociferous, with warnings of what might befall Charlotte if she was left alone,nwithout her mother’s protection. But Caroline was not to be swayed. Sheninsisted that she would visit her daughter at Connaught Lodge, where she wouldnbe admitted, and they would dine together, with no attempts at intervention bynthe Prince.
n
n
n
 |
| William Austin |
n
n
n
nThis was accomplished, to the satisfaction of all, and Caroline andnher suite, including the adopted William Austin, then aged about thirteen, leftnfor Worthing, and then on to South Lancing, where she boarded the Jasonnand sailed for the continent. She arrived in Brunswick to great acclaim, withnloud public welcomes and parades, and she spent many happy weeks there,nsurrounded by friends and supporters.
n
n
n
 |
| Caroline, Princess of Wales |
n
n
n
nThen she left for Switzerland, where shencaused quite a stir amongst the sober local peasantry, but Switzerland hadnlittle interest for her and she took to the road again, destined for Italy. InnOctober 1814, her party passed through Lombardy, and came to Milan, wherenCaroline asked for the services of an Italian courier. The Austrian General,nPino, recommended a man, and provided a letter of introduction for him to thenPrincess of Wales.
n
n
n
nThus, Bartelomeo Pergami came into her life. And therebynhangs another tale.
nnn
n
n
nnn
n
nTomorrow, the German Princess and the Italiannadventurer.
nnn
n
n
nnn
n
n