The power of the Tories, who had dominated England for more than forty years, suddenly began to crumble.
In the tremendous struggle that followed, it seemed for a moment as if the tradition of generations might be snapped, as if the blind tenacity of the reactionaries and the determined fury of their enemies could have no other issue than revolution.

But the forces of compromise triumphed: the Reform Bill was passed.

The centre of gravity in the constitution was shifted towards the middle classes; the Whigs came into power; and the complexion of the Government assumed a Liberal tinge.

One of the results of this new state of affairs was a change in the position of the Duchess of Kent and her daughter.

From being the protegees of an opposition clique, they became assets of the official majority of the nation.