Queen Victoria attends a fête at Carisbrooke Castle, 17th August 1899

Just as we have been experiencing recently, the 17th August 1899 had been a ‘very hot’ day on the Isle of Wight; and like any other summers day spent at her summer residence, Osborne House, Queen Victoria took tea with her granddaughter, Princess Helena Victoria “Thora” of Schleswig-Holstein. However, this day wasn’t the same as every other day Victoria had spent on the island, usually consisting of breakfast on the terrace, maybe a council meeting and a touch of tea and a drive to one of the islands many beaches. Instead, this was a day for Victoria to act as both a queen and as a local. You see, community is at the heart of Isle of Wight society and no matter who you are, Caulkhead (a third generation island resident) or recently moved, pauper or royalty, everyone is seen as having a role to play. Fortunately for the island, this was something that Victoria had quickly discovered and come to admire about the island. From the royal Family’s arrival at Osborne in 1845, Victoria and Albert had always done their part in helping the local community to thrive. With her new home came the opening of many job opportunities, the family prioritised using local shops and tradesmen and took a keen interest in the island’s history, which they often tried to protect. Of course, the Queen’s presence also led to a boost in tourism and inspiring Victorian celebrities to take up residence on the island, thus improving its economy.

One of the many places restored under the watchful eye of Queen Victoria was St Thomas’ Minster in the islands main town, Newport. While the Minster had only been rebuilt in 1854, by 1899 the exterior had began showing signs that further restorations would be necessary. So, after they finished their tea on that fine summers day, Victoria and Thora, accompanied by the Queen’s Lady-in-waiting, Edith Bulwer-Lytton, Countess of Lytton, embarked on a carriage ride through the decorated streets of Newport to Carisbrooke Castle, where a fête was being held to raise funds for the restoration. While Victoria was attending with the fanfare of the monarch, she was also there to show her support as a local who cared about the future of her home island.

Upon arriving at the castle, the royal entourage were greeted by crowds of locals, performers and members of the royal family, who had travelled there earlier in the day. In attendance were: Princess Helena of Schleswig-Holstein; Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught; Princess Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught; Princess Beatrice of Battenberg, Governor of the Isle of Wight; along with several of the Queen’s grandchildren. Surviving in the collection of and on display at Carisbrooke Castle Museum is a beautiful painting by Constance Pitcairn, which depicts the Queen’s carriage outside the old Great Hall / Governor’s House (now home to the museum). The Queen sits in the carriage with Thora and Prince Leopold of Battenberg, while his mother, Princess Beatrice of Battenberg, stands in full mourning at the side (her husband Prince Henry of Battenberg had passed away just three years earlier, she opened the castle museum in his memory). The Duke and Duchess of Connaught can also be seen nearby.

Due to her age and declining health, Queen Victoria remained in her carriage for the entirety of her visit. Unfortunately this meant that she missed out on the performances that were taking place in the Great Hall. Despite this, the ‘celebrated Actor’, Mr Alexander, was still presented to the Queen at the end of his performance. Luckily for Victoria there were many other events taking place in the castle’s courtyard, including: concerts, dancing and a ‘Gipsy Encampment’, from which many of the young girls were wearing costumes.

In her journal entry from the day Victoria seems to have been particularly taken by the cycling events, including a parade. In her journal she writes that ‘some of the machines [had been] very prettily decorated with flowers & driven & ridden by ladies’. While the idea of women cycling had initially been seemed too dangerous and perhaps unladylike, by the 1890s it had become a common practice and even the Queen’s own granddaughter, Princess Victoria of Wales, was fond of the hobby.

After spending some time embracing the festivities, it was time for Victoria to return home, accompanied by Princess Helena and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. As it was only 7pm, the rest of the Queen’s family had decided to stay at the castle ‘to see a torch-light Tattoo, & some Tableaux’. From what I can tell, the event had raised enough funds for the restoration. Today, the church can still be found in the centre of Newport and welcomes visitors throughout the week.

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