The Last King and Queen of France

King Louis Philippe and Queen Marie Amélie were 74 and 65 when they fled to England. They spent their first night at the Bridge Inn in Newhaven. From there they travelled to Claremont in Surrey, one of Queen Victoria’s residences, which she placed at their disposal and where they lived for the rest of their lives. The King died at Claremont just 2 years later. Queen Marie Amélie died in 1866, also at Claremont. At her request she was buried in a dress she had brought with her when they fled France in 1848.

In 1876 their remains were taken back to France and buried in the King’s Family Chapel.

Laura Smith was the youngest daughter of Sarah, the landlady of the Bridge Inn. At the time of the arrival of the last King and Queen of France Laura was 19 years old.

The following year Laura married Frederick Turner and the couple took over running the Bridge Inn from Laura’s mother who continued to live with them. Towards the end of the 1860s the couple took over as Master and Matron of the Union Workhouse in Newhaven. Laura died in 1890 aged 61. She was retired and living in Meeching Road.

Laura Smith was played by Lucy Alexander. Lucy grew up in Newhaven and trained at the Guildford School of Acting. She was the Winner of the ‘Best Acting’ category at the Seoul International Film Festival for her portrayal of Louisa Hanson in the short film ‘Brazen Souls’. She was also a finalist in the ‘Into the Spotlight’ Monologue Competition and a Standing Ovation Award Nominee for 'Ramona Tells Jim' from London Pub Theatres. LUCY ALEXANDER (spotlight.com)

Placement:

The Bridge Inn, Newhaven

Research:

Dr Jenny Flood

Acknowledgements

Written by Dr Jenny Flood and performed by Lucy Alexander. Recorded and produced by Mike Flood

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