Love & Respect in the Victorian Age

A Story of Love and Respect

Walter Francis became Duke of Buccleuch at just 13 years old following the death of his father, Charles. His guardians — his uncle Henry, Lord Montagu, and family friend Sir Walter Scott — carefully oversaw his development and education.

Walter’s introduction to ducal life was anything but gradual. By the age of 16, he had attended the funeral of King George III, and just two years later, he hosted King George IV at Dalkeith Palace — the first royal visit to Scotland in nearly two centuries. These early experiences prepared him well for his long and influential life as Duke of Buccleuch.

Lady Charlotte Anne Montagu Douglas Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry (1811–1895)

Born in 1811, Lady Charlotte Anne Thynne was the youngest daughter of the 2nd Marquess of Bath. She was raised at Longleat in Wiltshire and educated at home by private tutors. Her lessons included reading, writing, languages, music, dance, and needlework — but it was her passion for art and gardens that truly flourished later in life.

The Duke and Lady Charlotte met during one of Walter’s visits to Lord Bath. According to The Lady’s Realm, a contemporary journal, their engagement was notably romantic: as the Duke was departing, he noticed tears in Lady Charlotte’s eyes. Moved, he turned his coach around and returned to ask her father for her hand in marriage.

Their Life Together: A Partnership of Love and Respect

Walter Francis and Charlotte Anne married at St George’s, Hanover Square, London, on 13th March 1829. Together they had eight children, although heartbreak touched their lives when their fourth-born, Francis, died young.

The couple embraced Victorian society, often hosting grand dinners and dances when at home — a lively lifestyle that called for the vast Victorian Kitchen still admired at Bowhill today. Their social standing, large family, and love of entertaining also demanded elaborate porcelain, tableware, and silverware, much of which remains on display at Bowhill.

Collecting was another shared passion. Beyond their collections of fine tableware, they acquired an impressive array of French furniture, art, and an especially notable collection of portrait miniatures, some of which can be seen on Bowhill’s guided tours.

Discover the lives of the 5th Duke and Duchess

Royal Duties and Friendships

Beyond his early hosting of King George IV, Walter Francis remained deeply involved in royal service. He and Charlotte Anne became significant figures at the court of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, often spending long periods apart due to their official duties but writing to each other faithfully.

Charlotte Anne served as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria from 1841 to 1846, and it seems a genuine friendship blossomed between the two women. Meanwhile, Walter Francis shared many interests with Prince Albert, who appointed him as a commissioner for the Great Exhibition at Hyde Park in 1850.

Their Lasting Legacy

The 5th Duke and Duchess were instrumental in transforming Bowhill from a simple hunting lodge into the warm and welcoming family home it is today. Their influence stretches far beyond Bowhill, leaving a lasting mark across the Scottish Borders and beyond — a story we look forward to exploring further in future blogs.

But this month, as we celebrate love, it’s particularly heartening to reflect on the bond they shared. In his later years, Walter Francis wrote tenderly to his beloved ‘dearest Char’:

“I would never have loved you so much had I not respected you more.”