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
On 19th September 1819, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, husband of Queen Victoria, was christened in the Marble Hall at Schloss Rosenau, Coburg. He was given the names Franz August Karl Albert Emanuel. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 403074 For the Princes birthday in 1842, Queen Victoria gave… Continue reading Prince Albert’s 1842 birthday gift from the Queen
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
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
Have you heard of Primrose Day? Beginning in 1882, Primrose Day was a national day, which commemorated the passing of Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield. It is said that primroses had been the Prime Minister’s favourite flower, with Queen Victoria regularly sending him bunches from her gardens at Osborne and Windsor. When… Continue reading Primrose Day: Queen Victoria’s gift to a friend
In November 1871 Queen Victoria received the terrifying news that her eldest son and heir, Prince Albert Edward, had fallen ill with typhoid, the dreaded disease that had taken her husband’s death precisely ten years earlier. It’s believed that the prince and several other guests contracted the illness after becoming exposed to harmful bacteria while… Continue reading A “most touching & elevating” thanksgiving service to celebrate the recovery of the Prince of Wales
From the moment Queen Victoria fell ill in mid January 1901, the royal family and household found themselves in a constant rush of making arrangements and attending various services. Fortunately for them, the Queens departure from Osborne House on 1st February signified the beginning of the end, with just one ceremony left to take place… Continue reading A Royal Reunion: Queen Victoria is buried beside her beloved Albert
In December 1911, Louise, Duchess of Fife - eldest daughter of King Edward VII - travelled to Egypt with her husband, Prince Alexander and their daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Maud. During the journey, their boat, SS Delhi, was hit by a storm and ran aground just off the coast of Morocco. Fortunately the family… Continue reading Princess Louise’s boat accident