Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
© Lyon and Turnbull Yesterday (22nd April 2026), auction house Lyon and Turnbull sold this stunning gold and turquoise bracelet which had once been given as a gift from Queen Victoria to Lady Rachel Russell. Described by the Queen as ‘a delightful child of 11 years old,’ Rachel was believed to be the product of… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s gift to Lady Rachel Russell
Today (21st April 2026) marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. As part of their commemorative post on instagram, the Royal Family shared this lovely photo of Princess (later Queen) Elizabeth standing beside a painting of Queen Victoria’s seventh child, Prince Leopold, on October 1842. ‘Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth… Continue reading Queen Elizabeth poses with a painting of Prince Leopold
Last Tuesday (7th April 2026) I visited Osborne House on the Isle of Wight to see their two new exhibitions: ‘Tradition and Innovation: Victoria’s Final Journey’ and ‘Painters and Patrons: Emma Gaggiotti and Prince Albert’. Queen Victoria first purchased the Osborne estate and its Georgian house in 1845. Over the next few years Prince Albert… Continue reading Two two new exhibitions arrive at Queen Victoria’s Isle of Wight residence, Osborne House, for 2026
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 981349 Here we can see a stunning landscape watercolour by Queen Victoria, which depicts boats sailing near the coast. This watercolour is one of many practice paintings, which Victoria completed between 1846-1850 as a way to develop her artistic talents. Don’t forget to subscribe… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 43
Preserved in the collection of Carisbrooke Castle Museum on the Isle of Wight, this beautiful evening cape is believed to have been worn by Queen Victoria at her island home, Osborne House, in the 1870s. The main body of the cape is made out of cream tin-weighted silk, trimmed with black silk and decorated with… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Ostrich Feather Cape
Recently I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of History Press’s new book, The Aristocrat and The Able Seaman: The Countess of Rothes, Thomas Jones, and the tragedy of Titanic by Angela Young. Whilst everyone knows about my passion for researching Victorian royals, another of my historical interests is the sinking of… Continue reading Book Review: ‘The Aristocrat and The Able Seaman: The Countess of Rothes, Thomas Jones, and the tragedy of Titanic’ by Angela Young
In John Phillips’s 1860 painting of the wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal, and Prince Friedrich of Prussia in January 1859, Queen Victoria can be seen wearing a dress ‘of mauve moire antique & silver,’ trimmed with Honiton lace, which also decorated the velvet train. In addition to this, Victoria wore her ‘Regal Diadem & the… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s purple and silver dresses
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980029.cq Dated 14th August 1855, this delightful watercolour by Queen Victoria shows a stunning sunset over the Solent. At 5pm Queen Victoria had left Osborne with her eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, and the female members of her household, to embark on HMS Fairy. The… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 42
On 4th April 1900 Queen Victoria arrived in Ireland for the final time in her 63 year reign. During her lifetime Victoria only visited Ireland four times, with her final visit being perhaps the most significant. Queen Victoria in her carriage during her trip to Ireland In October 1899 the second Boer War had begun… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s shamrock parasol and bonnet
On 29th March 1871 London witnessed the opening of one of its most iconic buildings, the Royal Albert Hall, in a grand ceremony attended by the highest members of society. Located in South Kensington, the Hall is one of several buildings to have been built in the wake of the 1851 Great Exhibition. Headed by… Continue reading ‘An impressive spectacle of its kind’: Queen Victoria opens the Royal Albert Hall
On 27th March 1883 Queen Victoria’s Highland servant (and potential lover), John Brown, passed away at Windsor Castle. According to the Queen’s journals, Brown had fallen ill erysipelas on 25th March, however, he had been suffering for some time beforehand but still remained by her side. The following day his face had become swollen, leading… Continue reading ‘It brought home painfully to me, the break with the past’: The death of Queen Victoria’s highland servant, John Brown
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.gc This sketchbook Saturday we’re looking at this beautiful watercolour, pencil and ink sketch of Princess Alice. Dated 17th June 1860, Queen Victoria’s illustration shows her daughter sat reading, whilst wearing a grey and black striped mourning dress. Don’t forget to subscribe to my… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 41