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This is one of a series of letters which were found in Portman Square in London and have been treasuered by the Farrier family. Two of the letters are written by Queen Victoria, one is from The Duchess of Kent and one is signed Wellington. The notes from the Queen mention that she cannot meet Lady Portman and that any communication must be in writing. The letter from the Duchess of Kent is signed Buckingham Palace and reiterates the sentiments of the letters from Queen Victoria. We have researched Lady Portman and found out that she was involved in a scandal which rocked Queen Victoria's early reign. A young lady in waiting called Flora Hastings had a mysterious swelling in her stomach and many people believed she was pregnant outside of marriage. This was not true and Flora Hastings died. Lady Portman was considered to be an accuser of Flora and therefore not held in sympathy after her tragic death. We were fascinated by the letters and the emotions which were expressed. We loved the crests and signatures and the tiny envelopes. As a school and staff we have been entranced by the story and are trying to find out as much as we can about society and medicine at the time.