The policy of a new Sovereign must therefore be to act in such a manner as to hurt as little as possible the _amour-propre_ of people, to let circumstances and the force of things bring about the disappointments which no human power could prevent coming sooner or later: that they should come as _late_ as possible is in your interest.

Should anything happen to the King before I can enter more fully into the necessary details, limit yourself to _taking kindly_ and in a _friendly_ manner the present Administration into your service.

They are _naturally friendly to your interests_, _as you are in fact the only possible Sovereign of the whole family_, with the exception of the Duke of Sussex, they can _serve_ with _sincerity_ and _attachment_.

This is of great importance to you, as it is by no means the same thing to have people who aid and assist you with feelings of real attachment, or merely from cold and calculating motives of political expediency and self-interest.
This being done, no other step should be taken without consulting seriously.

The very time which is necessary to attain this end is favourable to you, as it is your greatest interest for the _present moment_ to act most cautiously and to gain as much _time_ as possible.
In high positions it is excessively difficult to _retrace_ a false move to get out of a mistake; and there exists very rarely, except in time of war and civil feuds, a necessity for an _immediate_ decision.
Your part must be, to resume once more what I said before, to remain as long as possible _agreeable_ to all parties, and after the formation of the Ministry, to be most careful how you take any measure of importance....
[Pageheading: THE KING'S ILLNESS] _The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ _16th June 1837._ MY BELOVED UNCLE,--...