Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
On 16th August 1858, Queen Victoria sent the first official telegram using the new transatlantic telegraph system. For years engineers had been trying to invent new and quicker ways to send messages overseas. However, it wasn’t until the 1840s that the idea of submarine cables came to light, with the first working cable being laid… Continue reading Queen Victoria sends the first transatlantic telegraph
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980043.dj This Sketchbook Saturday we’re looking at this incredible landscape watercolour by Queen Victoria, titled ‘showing a view from the River Toce, Italy’. The Queen stayed at the Villa Clara on the shores of Lake Maggiore between the 28th March and 23rd April 1879. On… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 10
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980043.bz This week we’re taking a look at this gorgeous watercolour by Queen Victoria, which shows a highland scene. In her journal entry dated 2nd June 1877 Queen Victoria writes that she “drove to the Glassalt Sheil with Beatrice & Leila E. Very high wind &… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 9
Queen Victoria with Princess Victoria and Prince Albert Edward by Sir Edwin Landseer, dated 1842 © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 403120 On 25th December 1842, Queen Victoria wrote in her journal that she and Albert had attempted to go for a walk with members of their household ‘but were… Continue reading International Cat Day: Princess Victoria’s pet
This week, 2nd-9th August 2025, we celebrate Cowes Week, a historic sailing event on the Isle of Wight. Join me, Shannon McInulty, as I explore the history of Cowes Week and its connection to Queen Victoria and the Royal family. Cowes Week 2025 © Queen.Victoria.Roses Founded in 1815, the Royal Yacht Club in West Cowes… Continue reading “The white sails of the yachts had such a charming effect” : Queen Victoria and Cowes Week
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.be This week we’re taking a look at this adorable watercolour by Queen Victoria, which shows her fourth child, Prince Alfred, standing on a chair in April 1846. While we don’t know the exact date of this watercolour, on 26th April Victoria writes in… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 8
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980054.bu This Saturday we’re looking at this wonderful watercolour by Queen Victoria, which depicts St. John's College as seen out of her Dressing Room at Trinity College in Cambridge. Victoria stayed here between 5th and 7th July 1847 to celebrate Albert being elected as… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 7
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980062 This week we’re looking at this adorable watercolour portrait by Queen Victoria of her eldest son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, which is dated 1843. Named after his father, Bertie - as he was known by his family - was known to have… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 6
On 15th July 1898, Queen Victoria presented the State Colour to the Scots Guards in Windsor Great Park. Like most mornings spent at Windsor, Victoria began that “very fine hot day” by having breakfast at Frogmore before visiting the mausoleum, and later attending a family luncheon. In the early afternoon, the elderly monarch went to… Continue reading “A very pretty sight”: Queen Victoria presents the State Colour to the Scots Guards, 15th July 1899
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980043.eb To celebrate sketchbook Saturday, this week we are looking at this magnificent portrait by Queen Victoria in 1889, which shows her Indian servant - and later her “munshi” - Abdul Karim. The Queen’s watercolour and pencil sketch is after Rudolph Swoboda’s 1888 portrait… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 5
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.do This week we’re looking at this gorgeous sketch by Queen Victoria, which her fifth child, Princess Helena. In her journal from 5th March 1854, Queen Victoria mentions how she “made a successful sketch of dear Lenchen, who is such a darling, clever child.” Don’t… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 4
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.fp This Saturday we’re looking at this adorable sketch by Queen Victoria, which her youngest child, Princess Beatrice. At the time of the sketch, 16th July 1859, the family were staying at their seaside residence, Osborne House in the Isle of Wight. Don’t forget… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 3