Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
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
© Historic Royal Palaces This ‘Royal Fashion Friday’ we’re looking at this stunning dress that was worn by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII. Dating from around 1911-1912, the dress was worn by the Queen to attend one of the most iconic royal events, Ascot. While the light colours and floral pattern capture the… Continue reading Queen Alexandra’s Ascot dress
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.hd This beautiful watercolour sketch by Queen Victoria shows her grandson, Prince Albert Victor of Wales sitting on the floor at Osborne in January 1865. The Prince had visited Osborne with his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, for the confirmation of his… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 40
Children wearing sailor’s suits is commonly associated with the upper classes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, but have you ever wondered where this trend began? Well, just like the tradition of the white wedding dress, we have Queen Victoria to thank. Sailor suit worn by King Edward VIII, 1902© Historic Royal Palaces King Edward… Continue reading Influencing childrenswear: How Queen Victoria popularised the sailor’s suit
Known as setting of Prince Albert’s untimely death in 1861, Windsor Castle was once again the backdrop of Queen Victoria’s misery just twenty-two years later. Queen Victoria and John Brown at Osborne by Sir Edwin Landseer, 1865-1867 © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 403580 On 14th March 1883 Queen Victoria… Continue reading Queen Victoria falls down the stairs at Windsor Castle, days before the death of John Brown
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.dg This week we’re looking at this beautiful full length watercolour sketch of Queen Victoria’s seventh child, Prince Arthur. Dated 15th December 1852, the illustration shows the young Prince wearing a tartan dress. At the time the royal family were staying at their seaside… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 39
Queen Victoria by George Koberwein © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 406884 On 28th November 1843 Queen Victoria arrived at Drayton Manor for a three night stay with Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. Upon arriving at the Manor, Queen Victoria was greeted by Lady Peel and the Duchess of Buccleuch,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s pink evening dress