Queen Victoria’s burial instructions

“I wish to be buried in a white silk or cashmere dress, with a cap and white veil over my face with my wedding ring on and my diamond guard ring, given me by my beloved husband immediately after our marriage, and the plain gold ring with a single diamond in it, and the words ‘Dieu La Garde’ on it – the gift my beloved Mother – my engagement ring with an emerald in the head of a golden snake, given to me by my dearly beloved Husband – Oct. 15 – 1839 – one similar to which (my gift) was buried with the Him, – and an oxidised silver ring with my dear Husband’s enamel, a small green enamelled ring, the first gift my dear Husband ever gave me – May 24 – 1836 – A gold ring with 3 Turquoise and 2 diamonds the gift of my dearest sister – a ring with five Scotch Pearls, the gift of my dear daughter Louise, a small gold one with three pearls and small diamonds, the gift of my darling child Beatrice – all continually worn by me – as well as a plain gold wedding ring which had belonged to the Mother of My dear valued servant J. Brown, and was given him by her in 75 – which he wore for a short time and I have constantly since his death – to be on my fingers.

I wish the small chain which I always wear around my neck – and to which are attached a diamond Locket containing my beloved Husband’s hair, which was given me in 1839 by my Aunt, the late Queen Louise of the Belgians, which I have worn ever since, and seven small Lockets, 2 of which with painted Photographs of my beloved Husband and dearest Mother, and the others containing the hair of near and dear ones, would be placed on the same chain which is to be worn round my neck – as well as any other small Lockets which might hereafter be added – I wish a small granite one set in gold containing a piece of Balmoral heather and the hair of a friend, which is attached to my watch chain, to be added to this chain – also a small quartz heart – 3 golden lockets, one of these containing the hair of our valued friend Baron Stockmar who died in 1863 – Another with a diamond in the centre containing the hair of my dear friend the late Countess Blucker, and one in gold and a pearl in the centre, containing the hair of my dear friend the late Lady Augusta Stanley to be attached to a small golden chain to be worn on my right arm – A round blue Enamel Locket containing the hair of my 9 children which I always wear when I am in mourning, as well as a bracelet of plain gold with a single Turquoise on it, which had belonged to my dearest Mother, to be on my left arm.

One of the Brooches, the gift of my dearest Husband, to be selected by Beatrice to be fastened to my dress – I wish the painted profile Photograph of my dearest Husband, always on my dressing table and a coloured Photograph or miniature of my dearest Beatrice and one of her dear Husband, the photographs of all my dear children and their Husband and wives and of my grandchildren in frames.

A coloured profile Photograph in a leather case of my faithful friend J. Brown, his gift to me – with some of his hair laid with it and some photographs- which I have marked with a X – and have often carried in a silk case, (worked by my faithful Annie McDonald) in my pocket, to be put in the case, in my hand, and the cast of my beloved Husband’s hand which is always near me to be placed in my coffin near me.

All these objects which have been so dear to me during my life time and have never left me – I should wish to be near my earthly remains.

In addition to all these, I should wish the pocket Handkerchief of my dearest Husband and one of his cloaks, a shawl worked by my dearest daughter Alice, and a pocket handkerchief of my faithful Brown, that friend who was more devoted to me than anyone, to be laid on me. Some souvenir if my faithful wardrobe maid Annie McDonald to be near me , and anything else which Beatrice should wish to add.

Victoria RI”