by Scott Mehl

Charlotte Canning, Countess Canning

Charlotte Canning, Countess Canning was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria from 1842 until 1855. She was born The Hon. Charlotte Stuart on March 31, 1817 at the British Embassy in Paris, where her father, Sir Charles Stuart (later 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay) was serving as the Ambassador to France. Her mother was Lady Elizabeth Margaret Yorke, a daughter of the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke. Charlotte was named for Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom, who was one of her godparents. She had one younger sister:

Charlotte was raised primarily in France, where her father served as Ambassador to France from 1815-1824 and again from 1828-1830. (He would later serve as Ambassador to Russia from 1841-1844.) The family returned to London in 1831, taking up residence in a newly built home in Carlton House Terrace, along The Mall.

Soon after making her debut into society in 1834, Charlotte met The Hon. Charles Canning, son of the late former Prime Minister George Canning and Joan Scott (Viscountess Canning in her own right). When Charles proposed, Charlotte’s father at first refused the proposal, due to his political differences with the late Prime Minister. He soon relented after pressure from Charlotte and the rest of the family. Charlotte and Charles were married on September 5, 1835 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. They had no children.

In 1837, her mother-in-law died, and Charlotte’s husband succeeded her as the 2nd Viscount Canning. Several years later, on May 30, 1842, the new Viscountess was appointed a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria. She quickly accepted, and relished her position at court. While many other ladies worried that the position would keep them from their children and families, this was not the case for Charlotte. Having no children, she was free to enjoy her position and took great pride in serving the Sovereign.

The Viscountess accompanied The Queen on many of her travels during her years in waiting, including The Queen’s first visit to Balmoral in September 1848. While there, Charlotte – who shared a love of painting with Queen Victoria – painted the watercolor seen above. It shows the old castle, which Victoria and Albert leased in 1848 and later purchased in 1852. This building was taken down in 1856, after the construction of the new, larger castle which exists today. Over the years, Charlotte painted many scenes of Balmoral and the surrounding Highlands, as well the Queen’s other residences and other places she visited. One of Queen Victoria’s favorite paintings was a watercolor of Schloss Rosenau in Coburg – the birthplace of The Prince Consort – which Charlotte painting while accompanying Victoria and Albert there on a visit in 1845.

After 13 years, she stepped down when her husband was appointed Governor-General of India. Charlotte and her husband moved to India in 1856, taking up residence at Government House in Calcutta. She soon found that she did not enjoy it there, and preferred to spend her time at Government House in nearby Barrackpore, which the Governors-General used as a summer residence. Three years later, following the India Mutiny, her husband was created the first Viceroy of India. At the same time, he was created 1st Earl Canning, with Charlotte becoming Vicereine and Countess Canning.

Unlike her role as Lady of the Bedchamber, Charlotte found little pleasure in her role as the wife of the Governor-General, and later Vicereine. Sh found herself very isolated, with few friends and social activities. However, at Barrackpore, she found some comfort and enjoyment – relishing in the lush surroundings. There, she pursued her interests in botany and art, creating a large collection of her own paintings of the flora and landscape. Today, her artwork is in numerous museums and collections, including 19 volumes of her drawings – “Drawings of English and Indian Flowers By Lady Canning” – held at Harewood House in England, and two portfolios of her work at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

After having served in India for 5 years, the Earl and Countess of Canning made their plans to return to Britain in January 1862. With Charlotte’s impending return, Queen Victoria appointed her Ranger of Greenwich Park, and was greatly looking forward to seeing her dear friend once again. Sadly it was not to happen. Having left Barrackpore, Charlotte made a trip to see Darjeeling one last time before returning to Calcutta to prepare for her trip home. Sadly, having contracted malaria during her trip, the Countess died at Government House in Calcutta on November 18, 1861. She is buried in a small garden in the grounds of Government House in Barrackpore. An elaborate memorial was also constructed in the graveyard of St. John’s Church in Calcutta.

Recommended Books

Charlotte Canning: Lady in Waiting to Queen Victoria and Wife of the First Viceroy of India, 1817-1861 by Virginia Surtees

Serving Queen Victoria: Life in the Royal Household by Kate Hubbard

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