On this date 150 years ago, Britain fell into mourning at the unexpected death of Queen Victoria's husband and consort. Two weeks previously the prince had prepared correspondence relative to the "Trent" affair and the seizure of the Confederate diplomats Mason and Slidell; he had recommended a moderate course of action and the avoidance of outright hostilities with the United States over the affair. Despite this, there remained great apprhension over possible war betwen the United States and Britain.