Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
Upon the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria instantly flung herself into a deep state of mourning, beginning her forty year stint of only wearing black. Prior to Albert’s death, Queen Victoria had always taken a keen interest in fashion. Whilst wearing black limited her choice in decorative fabrics, Victoria made sure that… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s early mourning bodice
As someone that loves history, I can happily say that nothing tells the story of the past better than memoirs and diaries. On 24th May (2026) I had the pleasure of visiting Charlecote Park in Warwickshire. While I was there, I kept coming across the name of a lady called Mary Elizabeth Lucy, whose personality… Continue reading Book Review: ‘Mistress of Charlecote: The memoirs of Mary Elizabeth Lucy 1803-1889’
The beloved husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert was perhaps one of the most distinguished gentlemen in Victorian Britain. Like many men of his time, Albert took a keen interest in perfecting his character and appearance to best match his position in society and, of course, fashion was the best way to do this. ©… Continue reading Prince Albert’s waistcoat
After this week’s excitement with the British Museum releasing tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry it’s left me wondering if Queen Victoria ever saw the famous artefact. Throughout her reign Queen Victoria visited France around eleven times but never saw the ‘celebrated Bayeux Tapestry’. However, in May 1896 the elderly monarch was wheeled into St George’s… Continue reading Queen Victoria and the Bayeux Tapestry
Described by Queen Victoria as ‘the dearest happiest day of my life’, Tuesday 10th February 1846 marked the sixth anniversary of her marriage to Prince Albert. In her journal she wrote ‘I can never be Thankful enough for the great blessing of my dearest Albert's wonderful love. Words cannot express all I owe to him,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s 1846 wedding anniversary gifts and outfit
At 11:30 in the morning of 13th June 1842, Queen Victoria left Windsor and headed to Slough Station, where she was to embark on her very first train ride and became the first monarch to travel by railroad. Like many Victorians, Queen Victoria was scared that the trains speed would cause damage to her brain… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s first train ride, 13th June 1842
This Royal Fashion Friday I want to talk about one of the most extravagant outfits worn by Queen Victoria… her Georgian ball gown. Taking place at Buckingham Palace on 6th June 1845, the Georgian Ball was perhaps the most lavish event to take place during Victoria’s reign. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Georgian Ball Costume
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments © Queen.Victoria.Roses / Shannon McInulty Don’t forget to subscribe to my website to receive email updates about new posts! 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… Continue reading Questions about Queen Victoria that keep me up at night (part 2)
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection TrustRCIN 405439 Fitting for the summer months the Royal Collection Trust has uploaded a new portrait of Queen Victoria in a bright yellow dress to their online collection. Painted in 1851, the same year as the iconic Great Exhibition, the portrait was completed by artist Charles… Continue reading The Royal Collection Trust releases a new portrait of Queen Victoria online
Worn between 1835-1837, this dress is thought to be the one worn Princess Victoria of Kent (later Queen Victoria) when she met her future husband, Prince Albert, for the very first time. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 71984 The dress itself is made up of two parts, a bodice… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Tartan Dress
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980023.s Pencil sketch by Queen Victoria depicting the side profile of her cousin and future husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, dated 1839. At half past seven on Thursday 10th October 1839, Princes Ernst and Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha arrived at Windsor… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 45
This famous photograph of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert from May 1854 is often described as showing the couple in their wedding costumes from fourteen years earlier. However, the history of this photograph and the dress itself have been well documented not only by a colourised version of the image from the same time period… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s 1854 Green Court Dress