Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
On 3rd January 1981, Princess Alice of Albany passed away in her sleep at Kensington Palace. Join me as we take a look some facts about her fascinating life! Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone;Prince Alexander Cambridge, Earl ofAthlone, dated 1943 ©️ National Portrait Gallery, London NPG X74242 When she was born, Queen Victoria described Alice… Continue reading 14 facts about Princess Alice of Albany, later Countess of Athlone
Every New Year Queen Victoria and Prince Albert would travel to the Riding School at Windsor, where they would give gifts - such as meat, bread, coal and blankets - to the poor. This tradition continued every year until the prince’s untimely death in December 1861. The Queen described one of the events in her… Continue reading Victoria and Albert’s New Years gift
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
Having spent his childhood Christmases in Germany, Prince Albert had many fond memories surrounding his native Christmas stories and traditions, including the legend of St. Nicholas, which he was determined to pass onto his own children. Representing the jolly merriment of the festive season, Father Christmas is famous for giving edible treats to children who… Continue reading A Victorian Christmas: St. Nicholas Visits Windsor Castle
With most of us already beginning to decorate for Christmas, let’s take a look at how the Christmas tree became a popular tradition in Britain! Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their children around a Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle. Originally published in the Illustrated London News in 1848 Many people believe that it was… Continue reading The royal family and Christmas trees
The Victorians were famously obsessed with spirituality but did you know that even Queen Victoria was partial to attending seances? Join me, Shannon McInulty, as I explore Queen Victorias experience with the spiritual world and how it’s connected to her highland servant, John Brown. When looking at Queen Victorias interest in the spiritual world, historians… Continue reading Queen Victoria, clairvoyants and her Scottish servant, John Brown
Eagle brooch by Charles Augustus Ferdinand du Ve, 1839-1840 Royal Collection Trust / ©️ HM King Charles III For her wedding, Queen Victoria hired twelve Maids-of-Honour to carry her 18 foot (5.5 metres) train. Following the ceremony, Queen Victoria ‘gave all the Train Bearers, as a souvenir, a small eagle brooch in turquoises,’ which would… Continue reading Queen Victorias gift to her Train Bearers
“Slept well & breakfasted at ½ p. 9, before which Mama came, bringing me a nosegay of orange flowers, & good Lehzen gave me a dear little ring. — Wrote my Journal & saw Ld Melbourne. — Had my hair dressed & the wreath of orange flowers put on my head. My wreath & veil… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Her wedding day, 10th February 1840
On Christmas Day in 2019 viewers were on the edge of their seats as they watched Prince Albert (played by Tom Hughes) fall through and get trapped under an icy lake in the ‘Victoria’ Christmas special. Although most of us believed this scene was added for dramatic effect, it was in fact based on a… Continue reading Prince Albert’s terrifying ice skating accident
Prince Albert’s Sapphire Brooch Image ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 2023Edit ©️ Queen.Victoria.Roses Prince Albert is renowned for designing pieces of jewellery as a gift for his wife, Queen Victoria. One of the first, and perhaps most famous, pieces he gave her was a ‘splendid brooch of an immense Sapphire, set… Continue reading Prince Albert’s Sapphire Brooch
“Sunday, February 9 - Got up at ½ p.9. Received a beautiful Prayer-book from Ma.; breakfasted at 10. Wrote to Lord M. Signed. Wrote my journal. Dearest Albert and Ernest came in; dearest Albert looking so well; with a little of his blue ribbon showing. He brought me 4 beautiful old Fans. At 12 I… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The day before her wedding, 9th February 1840
The Prince Albert effigy at the Royal Mausoleum, Frogmore. Dated 1862-1863 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “Woke very often during the night, thinking of the sacred work to carried out at 7 o'clock. At that hour the precious earthy Remains were to be carried with all love & peace to their… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: the reburial of Prince Albert at the Frogmore Mausoleum, 18th December 1862