We start the Victoria & Eugenie connections with Beatrice..

… One of Queen Victoria of England’s daughters.

Beatrice, the youngest and 5th daughter, was the Queen’s assistant.  They were very close.  It was natural Beatrice would also become close friends with Victoria’s new French friend, Empress Eugenie.

(Portraits: Queen Victoria and daughter Beatrice in 1863.. always in the height of fashion for child or adult – this being the crinoline era for all.  In the US at the same time, America was smack in the middle of the Civil War)