On 20th March 1856, The confirmation of Victoria, Princess Royal, eldest child of Queen Victoria, took place in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.
“A dull morning, early. — Our thoughts much occupied with today’s ceremony! Vicky wished me good morning & stayed with me whilst I was dressing & then breakfasted in her own room. — Before our large breakfast, the 7 other children hunted for Easter eggs, it being Maundy Thursday. — We took a short walk afterwards, with Mary & the Princes. — At a little before 12 we & all the Family, as well as the 6 Children, assembled in Uncle Leopold’s room. Dear Vicky looked very pretty in a high, morning dress, in white glacé silk. We Ladies, all, wore smart morning dresses, & the Gentlemen frock coats. Punctually at 12, we proceeded to the Chapel, Albert, leading Vicky, going in 1rst, & I following with dear Uncle Leopold. Vicky stood just in front of the altar, with a chair placed behind her, we & the 5 other Children in, a line, to her left, — Uncle & Mama (the 2 Sponsors) & all the other Royalties, in a line, on her right. The service began & ended with 2 fine old German Chorales, beautifully sung by the St. George’s Choir. The Bishop of Oxford read the Preface & the Archbishop of Canterbury administered the Holy Rite. Dear Vicky behaved beautifully & was very calm & collected. It was a very touching ceremony, particularly so in her case, for those who knew she was already an affianced Bride. She made her answer to the Archbishop, “I do”, in an audible & firm voice. Everything was very touching, solemn & impressive, excepting the poor Archbishop’s Address, which was more like a sermon, without a single allusion to the act of Confirmation, its meaning & importance, or giving Vicky one word of advice, which is generally done. However in spite of the poor Archbishop, everyone was deeply impressed & we prayed, & ever shall, for God’s blessing on this precious Child! He will surely bless & guard her & let His Holy Angels watch over her now, as they did around her cradle! — The poor Dean was so agitated, that he could hardly give out the Psalms. […]
[…] The Choir were in the Pew, above, where the Children generally sit, & the Upper Servants in our Pew. At the conclusion of the service, we went into the Green Drawingroom, where we embraced dear Vicky, who was a little “émne”. Everyone was very kind & full of affection & good wishes for our dear Child. It made it such a nice homely gathering, having so many of our relations present, including the sons of my Brother & Sister. Sir George Grey, (amongst those invited) had tears in his eyes, when speaking of the ceremony, & wished dear Vicky every possible happiness. Ly Lyttelton seemed so much pleased & touched. Before leaving the Green Drawingroom, we took leave of the Company & then went to Uncle’s room, where dear Vicky received her presents: from Mama, a beautiful diamond spray, – from us a magnificent necklace of diamond “Chatons” 2 solitaire diamond earrings, a beautiful Cameo, of our profiles (taken from the Exhibition medal in 1851) cut in Cornelian, handsomely set round with diamonds, attached to a white moirée silk bow, to be worn as an order on her left shoulder, & a fine Indian shawl & on Indian scarf. All her brothers & sisters gave her something, having saved up their money for the purpose. Aunt Gloucester, who was much grieved at not being able to be present, sent a beautiful gold & diamond bracelet. […]
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[…] – At about ½ p. 1, we sat down to luncheon, after which we took leave of all ours visitors, excepting Ernest L. – At ½ p. 4 we drove out with Vicky. – A letter from Ld Clarendon, saying that Count Cavour was not pleased at the Emperor’s tone with regard to Italy, but that he hoped it would be possible to do something. – Rested, being a good deal exhausted, & having a headache. – Later, we saw the good Dean, who was as distressed as we were, about the poor Archbishop’s performance. We talked with him about the sad poverty, deficiency & superficiality of religious education in this country, which led to so many people going over to Romanism; he said he felt sure this must be altered. We gave him, as a remembrance, a piece of plate for his dinner table, & Vicky came in, & gave him a Bible, into which she had written. We thanked him for all kindness & for all he had done for Vicky. He has naturally now finished giving her instruction. – Mama, &c – & the Van de Weyers (who stay till Saturday, dined. Dear kind Uncle, who is so cheerful & well, sat next to me. – We shall ever look back with pleasure to this very eventful & important day in the life of our beloved Child, & indeed in our lives! May God’s blessing rest upon her for ever!”
http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest
Hello dear, have some doubts on this text. The Queen wrote “the other 7 children hunted for Easter Eggs”, I assume Vicky and Albert weren´t included; latter she writes that “the family, as well as the 6 children, assemble at Uncle´s room”; finally during the ceremony, we can read “we and the 5 other children”. Why there are these differences? Do we know Albert, or Alice, taking an active role during their sister´s confirmation? And, byt the way, what is a confirmation? I´m not familiar wiht the rites of the Church of England. Thanks!!!