During my trip to London last month I returned to Queen Victorian childhood home, Kensington Palace, where I finally got to see an object that has been on my list for the best part of a decade… Queen Victoria’s 1843 dress.
This dress has always been a favourite of mine as it differs from most of Queen Victorias surviving garments. Unlike the Great Exhibition dress, her Stuart Ball gown or even her Privy Council dress, this simple white gown isn’t connected to any significant day or event in her life and instead gives us an insight into the everyday fashion of Queen Victoria.
Made out of silk satin, the dress truly captures the elegance of the 1840s with its bell-shape skirt and intricate floral embroidery, which has been decorated with silver thread. The lace bertha that we can see on the dress today isn’t the original but still dates back to the same time period.
At the time she wore the dress, Victoria would have been in her mid 20s, a mother of three children and the Queen of a growing empire. Yet, when we look at this gown, we are struck by how small Victoria really was as she carried so much power. In addition to this, the simple design proves that behind the crown, Victoria was an ordinary woman, a thought that can only inspire us to try and understand who Victoria really was.
It was an absolute privilege to finally see this garment in person. I’m unsure of how long it will remain on display but going from past exhibits, it will most likely return into storage in spring, when another item from Queen Victoria’s wardrobe will hopefully take its place in the Red Saloon at Kensington Palace.
© Queen.Victoria.Roses 2026
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