Maria II and Victoria of England: a great friendship between two queens

There was no internet or mobile phones, but there was one trend in the 19th century that brought people together: the concept of Pen Pals. And indeed, you could say that Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria of England were Pen Pals: their relationship went far beyond protocol or polite gesture, and there are several letters that prove the existence of a true long-distance friendship.

They were born just a few weeks apart and met when they were still children, in London, at a children's party organised by King George IV. Years later, when they were still young, they met again and Victoria wrote the following in her diaries: 'Maria is only a month older than me and she's very gentle with me... She's grown a lot, but she's also become more robust. She has a beautiful complexion and is very sweet and friendly.'

A strong bond immediately formed between the two young women and they began an exchange of letters that continued throughout their lives. Little did they know that years later they would become even more closely linked: in 1836, Maria married Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Victoria's cousin, and three years later the Queen of England married Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Ferdinand's cousin.

Mary and Victoria had very similar (and innovative) views on marriage: they were both in love with their husbands and saw them as their best friends and confidants. Both queens also greatly valued family life and the seclusion of the home; contrary to what had been customary until then, they both liked to keep their most intimate moments to themselves and devote themselves to the people they loved. Queen Maria and Ferdinand had even planned to make the Palace of Pena their refuge, a place where they could just be with their family, away from the obligations of the Royal Household. Unfortunately, Queen Maria died before the construction work on Pena was completed.

The bond between the two queens was such that their correspondence went beyond political issues and the practicalities of running their kingdoms. They would vent to each other, discuss maternity issues, and make plans together, talking like two true friends.

The esteem in which they held each other also passed on to subsequent generations: Victoria 'spoilt' Maria II's children several times with the latest London fashion trends and she received Maria and Ferdinand's children in the privacy of their London home, including notably the future King Pedro V, whom her husband Alberto held in high esteem.

When Maria II died at the age of just 34, Victoria wrote in her diaries: ‘Poor dear Maria, she had her faults, but also her great and good qualities. Her faults were due to the fact that she had had almost no education. She was a devoted and loving wife, an exemplary mother, and a truly affectionate friend. I had always liked her, having known her since childhood, and although we never met again, we corresponded constantly and remained very close. This news particularly touched me because she was my age, she was a queen, her husband was also from the Coburg family, and she had many children. It has left us [Victoria and Albert] very melancholy and I can't forgive myself for not going to Lisbon. We both dearly wanted that to happen!’