She had always refused to listen to disparagement of her favourite, and would never allow any of the gruesome details connected with the annexation of Rhodesia to be recited in her presence.
In Mrs.van Koopman's eyes there was only a glorious side to the Rhodesian expedition, and she rejoiced in the renown which it was destined to bring to the man who had conceived and planned it.

She fully believed that Rhodes meant to bring English civilisation, English laws, the English sense of independence and respect for individual freedom into that distant land.

The fact that lucre lay at the bottom of the expedition never crossed her mind; even if it had she would have rejected the thought with scorn and contempt.
Although the attacks upon Cecil Rhodes increased day by day in intensity and in bitterness, Mrs.van Koopman never wavered in her allegiance.

She attributed them to jealousy and envy, and strenuously defended his name.
Mrs.van Koopman, too, rejoiced at any new success of Rhodes as if it had been her own.

She was the first to congratulate him when the dignity of a Privy Councillor was awarded to him.