Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
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
Did you know that the United Kingdom’s first ever theme park was on the Isle of Wight? Did you also know that Queen Victoria visited its very first attraction? On 24th August 1853, Queen Victoria left her Isle of Wight home, Osborne House, and embarked on “another very pretty tour, round part of this dear… Continue reading A royal curiosity: Queen Victoria and the Blackgang whale
For Queen Victoria, Wednesday 20th August 1884 began like any other. The morning was “splendid, but very hot” as she took breakfast under a tree at her beloved Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Then, at 11:30 she received the news that the Abyssinian envoys had arrived with gifts from King John of Abyssinia.… Continue reading An elephant at Osborne: King John of Abyssinia’s unusual gift to Queen Victoria
Just as we have been experiencing recently, the 17th August 1899 had been a ‘very hot’ day on the Isle of Wight; and like any other summers day spent at her summer residence, Osborne House, Queen Victoria took tea with her granddaughter, Princess Helena Victoria “Thora” of Schleswig-Holstein. However, this day wasn’t the same as… Continue reading Queen Victoria attends a fête at Carisbrooke Castle, 17th August 1899
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
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
At 11am on 21st May 1894, Queen Victoria left Windsor Castle, with members of her family and household, and headed en route to her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle. Along the way, the royal entourage stopped at Manchester so that Victoria could open its iconic Ship Canal. As the royal train arrived at the station at… Continue reading “I never saw anything like it”: Queen Victoria opens Manchester’s Ship Canal
On 15th May 1899, Queen Victoria visited Kensington Palace to inspect her childhood apartments and the neighbouring Denmark Wing, just days before they were set to open to the public for the very first time. At 11:30 in the morning of that fine spring day, Queen Victoria left Windsor Castle and headed straight to her… Continue reading Kensington Palace opens it’s doors to the public
Recognised as one of the greatest icons of the nineteenth century, Florence Nightingale was a leading voice in establishing modern nursing. Through her selfless work, Miss Nightingale found herself acquainted with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were great admirers of her efforts to improve the conditions of injured and sick men during the Crimean… Continue reading Influencing the royals: Florence Nightingale and the Royal Family
In May 1840, the world’s first adhesive postage stamps came into circulation, changing the postage system forever. But how did this revolutionary idea come into existence? By the time Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 sending mail had become unaffordable to many, with the cost of postage being worked out by the amount of pages… Continue reading The Penny Black and Two Penny Blue: The history behind adhesive stamps