Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
On 26th August 1819, Queen Victoria’s beloved husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was born at Schloss Rosenau in Coburg, Germany. To celebrate, let’s take a look at 15 facts about Prince Albert! Prince Albert by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1842 © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection TrustRCIN 401412 Albert and his… Continue reading 15 facts about Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
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’
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
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
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
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
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
Today is World Book Day and as many children celebrate characters of the modern world, I feel it is only right that we celebrate a lost character from the past… Alice Laselles. The staring character of ‘The Adventures of Alice Laselles’, Alice was created in the mind of Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent, later Queen… Continue reading An Author Queen: Queen Victoria’s love for Storytelling
Many of my regular readers will be aware of my fascination towards Queen Victoria’s youngest child, Princess Beatrice. While I’ve spent much time learning about and discussing Beatrice at her Isle of Wight home, Carisbrooke Castle, I have long been eager to read Matthew Dennison’s much credited biography about her extraordinary life, and I’m pleased… Continue reading Book Review: ‘The Last Princess: The Devoted Life of Queen Victoria’s Youngest Daughter’ by Matthew Dennison
Recently we saw the release of Fern Riddell’s newest book Victoria’s Secret: The Private Passion of a Queen, which reveals new evidence surrounding Queen Victoria’s relationship with her highland servant, John Brown. I have to begin by saying that Fern has done an exceptional job of portraying Victoria as both a queen and as an… Continue reading Book Review: ‘Victoria’s Secret: The Private Passion of a Queen’ by Fern Riddell
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