‘It was a very merry Xmas’: Queen Victoria’s Christmas 1845

‘With joy do I hail the return of this blessed festival,’¹ wrote Queen Victoria on Christmas Eve in 1845. By this time in her life Victoria was eight years into her reign, had been married for five and was mother to four children, with her fifth child, Princess Helena, expected the following May. To Victoria, Christmas 1845 brought nothing but joy as she celebrated with her growing family.

Following what appears to have been an annual tradition, Prince Albert spent the morning of Christmas Eve out shooting, whilst the Queen enjoyed a brisk walk around the frosty gardens at Windsor Castle with her Lady of the Bedchamber, Elizabeth Cuffe, Countess of Desart. The young couple then went for a short drive before returning to arrange everyone’s Christmas gifts. At 6pm the ceremony of gift-giving began with Albert taking his wife into the ‘Blue Closet’, where a decorated frosted tree stood, with an array of gifts perfectly displayed on the surrounding tables. ‘Amongst them,’ wrote the Queen, ‘was a most beautifully executed inkstand, with a stag in frosted silver, standing on Scotch stones, & at the sides views in silver has reliefs of Blair Castle, &c.; & a beautiful little onyx Cup set in enamel & precious stones. Dearest Albert had so wonderfully thought out all his gifts.’²

 

Next it was Victoria’s turn to show Albert his gifts, which she had arranged in the Music Room. ‘He was so much pleased with all’³ she later confided in her journal. However the Prince wasn’t the only one to enjoy his presents. When reflecting on her day Victoria noted how her four children, aged between five and one, were ‘enchanted’ by the variety of toys which lay beneath their tree. Amongst their larger gifts was ‘a lovely table with 4 chairs, inlaid with their names’⁴, which had been a gift from Queen Victoria’s aunt, Dowager Queen, Adelaide, widow of King William IV. Once the children and the Duchess of Kent had inspected their gifts, the royal party made their way into the White Drawing Room, which had also been decorated with a tree and presentation tables covered in gifts, which were to be handed out to members of the Queen’s household. When the gift-giving was complete, a large dinner was held and an evening of musical merriment commenced.

Christmas Day itself was much quieter in comparison. Upon completing their breakfast, Victoria and Albert went to the royal Kennels to see their many dogs before visiting Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate. Following tradition the family then attended a Christmas service in the Chapel. While the organ was played and trumpets sounded, the Queen’s staff sang a variety of Christmas hymns, which she later described as having ‘such a beautiful & festive effect. Nothing is more truly devotional & raises mind & heart so much to God, as the singing of a fine Chorale, in which the whole congregation joins.’⁵

Royal party then returned to the Stare Rooms, where they had a festive luncheon before taking a stroll around the grounds. That evening, during the Queen’s lavish Christmas dinner, the couple’s two eldest children – Princess Victoria and Prince Albert Edward – came down from the nursery to join in with the festivities. Aged just four, the Prince of Wales soon became too tired and was taken to bed; however, Princess Victoria remained until desert had been served. While dinner marked the end of the main celebrations, the evening was nonetheless celebrated with splendour.

© Queen.Victoria.Roses 2025

This article is the intellectual property of Queen.Victoria.Roses and should not be COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances unless permission is given by the author