Queen Victoria, never a fan of Palmerston, was reluctant to call on him after Lord Aberdeen’s resignation and attempts to form a government by Lord Derby and Lord John Russell failed but public opinion demanded it. Initially Palmerston struggled to form a cabinet following the refusal of the Peelites out of loyalty to Aberdeen to serve. However, following an intervention from the former prime minister, they reluctantly agreed to join the administration. Much of Palmerston’s cabinet was a continuation of the previous coalition and included Gladstone (Exchequer), The Earl of Clarendon (Foreign Office), Sir George Grey (Home Office) and Sydney Herbert (Colonies). At 71 Palmerston is the oldest person to embark on his first premiership.