The newly crowned Queen Victoria.

A CONSORT FROM CUMBERNAULD?

For over five centuries, the Flemings of Cumbernauld elbowed their way into the stories of Scottish history.

However, the name might have died out in the eighteenth century if Lady Clementina Fleming had not married the tenth Lord of Elphinstone of Carberry tower.

In 1799, her Grandson, Charles Elphinstone, took over the Fleming estate, and he came to live at Cumbernauld house, calling himself Elphinstone-Fleming.
Charlie's son, Lieutenant Colonel John Elphinstone Fleming, inherited the title of Lord Elphinstone from his cousin John in 1860.

Years before then, this brother John figured in the most intriguing story ever linked with the Fleming family. It appears that cousin John had also followed an army career. Young captain Elphinstone of the horse guards , a dashing, handsome, clever man, caught the eye of King William IV and soon became a favourite at court. He also caught the eye of the King's niece, Princess Victoria.
The young couple took such a fancy to each other that their mutual fondness became the talk of the town. Love was certainly in the air, and if they had married, what different deeds and dynasties might have made history?

Fate, however, decided that our history would be different, Williams sudden death in 1837 set that young girl of on her long reign as Queen Victoria. Her romance with John survived a further week or two, but then with breathtaking swiftness, the Captain was dispatched to Madras in India, to be Governor. He served with distinction, but in obscurity. It was as if the court of St James back in England had never heard of him. John Elphinstone never married.

After a decent passage of time, the Queen married Prince Albert of SaxeCoburg and Gotha- a love match.

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