Princess Beatrice and 3 of Queen Victoria’s grandchildren narrowly escaped a serious carriage accident at East Cowes 125 years ago.
A Sunday morning drive to Whippingham Church turned dangerous on 6th October 1901 when one of the pair of horses pulling the Royal carriage became unmanageable.
Inside were Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter Princess Beatrice and 3 of her children – including 13-year-old Princess Victoria Eugenie, the future Queen of Spain. Her brothers Princes Alexander and Leopold were also travelling with them.
Had the carriage overturned or its occupants been thrown out, Princess Beatrice and her 3 children could have been seriously injured or killed. Only the coachman’s excellent presence of mind prevented a serious accident.
Assistance also came from a Mr Peach: Frederick C. Peach, one of the Isle of Wight Volunteers who had recently returned from active service in the Boer War.
Just 24 days earlier, on 12th September 1901, Beatrice had presented medals at Carisbrooke Castle to Island Volunteers returning from South Africa.
The carriage scare came less than 9 months after Queen Victoria had died at nearby Osborne House on 22nd January 1901, aged 81. Had the accident ended in tragedy, the Isle of Wight could have witnessed the death of Victoria’s youngest daughter and 3 of her grandchildren in the same year as the Queen herself.
Victoria Eugenie’s presence in the carriage makes the narrow escape even more significant. Less than 5 years later, she married King Alfonso XIII and became Queen of Spain. She was the great-grandmother of the present King Felipe VI.
Princess Beatrice was living at Osborne Cottage, with the Royal party making the short journey from Osborne to Whippingham. Their route took them along Beatrice Avenue, named in the Princess’s honour just 3 years earlier.
Once the danger had passed, Princess Beatrice and her 3 children left the carriage and continued the rest of their journey to Whippingham Church on foot.
