Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
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
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert famously loved the great outdoors, particularly during their warm summer trips to the Isle of Wight; but did you know that they were also fond of winter sports, including ice skating and hockey? Despite receiving skating lessons from Erin tutor, Mr Talbot, Queen Victoria much preferred being pushed around the… Continue reading A royal hobby: Victoria, Albert and winter sports
On 9th December 1897, Queen Victoria made written instructions for her dressers detailing the items she wished to be placed in her coffin. Queen Victoria on her death-bed by Sir Hubert von Herkomer on 24th January 1901 Royal Collection Trust / ©️ HM King Charles III “I wish to be buried in a white silk… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s burial instructions
On 24th May 1854, Queen Victoria celebrated her 35th birthday at her beloved Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Like usual on her birthday, the Queen was woken by a band playing on the terrace. after getting up, Victoria and Albert went into the nearby children’s wing, where they were greeted by ‘mama, &… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s 35th Birthday at Osborne House
In 1897 Queen Victoria created twelve pages of written instructions for her funeral and burial. However, without her family knowing Victoria had also created a second secret list, which was to only be read by her physician and dresser, Sir James Reid and Mrs Tuck, following her death. In the evening of 25th January 1901,… Continue reading The unusual items buried in Queen Victoria’s coffin
“This was a terrible day, but one never to be forgotten! It dawned very dull & dark & unfortunately unlike yesterday, remained dull & dreary, & there was once or twice a little drizzle. — Slept fairly well, but awoke dreading what was before us. — Edward Weimar, Franz Teck & Dolly & Ernest Leiningen… Continue reading Queen Victorias Journal: The funeral of Henry of Battenberg, 5th February 1896
Upon the death of Queen Victoria the United Kingdom fell into a deep state of mourning. Shops dressed their windows in all black before putting up black shutters as a mark of respect. While ordinary people took time to grieve their monarch, everyone in the royal household was frantically organising the late Queens funeral and… Continue reading Chaos turned tradition: Queen Victoria’s final journey from her bed at Osborne to St George’s Chapel
1900 had been ‘a horrible year’ filled with ‘nothing but sadness and horrors of one kind & another’ for Queen Victoria. On 30th July, her third child, Prince Alfred, died of throat cancer and October also saw the death of her grandson, Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein. The Queens eldest child, Victoria, had also been… Continue reading “I should like to live a little longer”: The death of Queen Victoria
Princess Louise at Windsor castle on 7th March to commemorate her confirmation©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “A beautiful morning. — Felt very low when I walk, thinking, & praying for our beloved fatherless Child, who was today to take upon herself her Baptismal vows. — At a little before 12 started… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The confirmation of Princess Louise, 21st January 1865
Queen Victoria’s reign coincided with the advancement of countless technologies, including: photography, the flushing toilet and the lightbulb. But did you know that Queen Victoria was the first European Monarch to use a telephone? That’s right, in January 1878, Alexander Graham Bell travelled across the Solent to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where… Continue reading Queen Victoria uses the telephone for the first time
Princess Beatrice at the time of her confirmation ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “Alas! a bad morning, after the fine days we have had, which was most provoking. Dear little Albert Victor's 10th birthday, which seems to me impossible. May he turn out well. - Breakfasted alone with darling Beatrice, &… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The confirmation of Princess Beatrice, 8th January 1874
During Queen Victoria’s reign, Turkey was considered to be a small and much less important part of the Christmas menus than it is today. Before Turkey was popularised by King Edward VII, there were some rather unusual dishes on the Royal Christmas menu. ‘Christmas at Windsor’ Source: Pinterest In the 12th century King Henry II… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Christmas dinner