Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
Last Tuesday (7th April 2026) I visited Osborne House on the Isle of Wight to see their two new exhibitions: ‘Tradition and Innovation: Victoria’s Final Journey’ and ‘Painters and Patrons: Emma Gaggiotti and Prince Albert’. Queen Victoria first purchased the Osborne estate and its Georgian house in 1845. Over the next few years Prince Albert… Continue reading Two two new exhibitions arrive at Queen Victoria’s Isle of Wight residence, Osborne House, for 2026
Preserved in the collection of Carisbrooke Castle Museum on the Isle of Wight, this beautiful evening cape is believed to have been worn by Queen Victoria at her island home, Osborne House, in the 1870s. The main body of the cape is made out of cream tin-weighted silk, trimmed with black silk and decorated with… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Ostrich Feather Cape
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
In John Phillips’s 1860 painting of the wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal, and Prince Friedrich of Prussia in January 1859, Queen Victoria can be seen wearing a dress ‘of mauve moire antique & silver,’ trimmed with Honiton lace, which also decorated the velvet train. In addition to this, Victoria wore her ‘Regal Diadem & the… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s purple and silver dresses
On 4th April 1900 Queen Victoria arrived in Ireland for the final time in her 63 year reign. During her lifetime Victoria only visited Ireland four times, with her final visit being perhaps the most significant. Queen Victoria in her carriage during her trip to Ireland In October 1899 the second Boer War had begun… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s shamrock parasol and bonnet
On 29th March 1871 London witnessed the opening of one of its most iconic buildings, the Royal Albert Hall, in a grand ceremony attended by the highest members of society. Located in South Kensington, the Hall is one of several buildings to have been built in the wake of the 1851 Great Exhibition. Headed by… Continue reading ‘An impressive spectacle of its kind’: Queen Victoria opens the Royal Albert Hall
© Historic Royal Palaces This ‘Royal Fashion Friday’ we’re looking at this stunning dress that was worn by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII. Dating from around 1911-1912, the dress was worn by the Queen to attend one of the most iconic royal events, Ascot. While the light colours and floral pattern capture the… Continue reading Queen Alexandra’s Ascot dress
Children wearing sailor’s suits is commonly associated with the upper classes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, but have you ever wondered where this trend began? Well, just like the tradition of the white wedding dress, we have Queen Victoria to thank. Sailor suit worn by King Edward VIII, 1902© Historic Royal Palaces King Edward… Continue reading Influencing childrenswear: How Queen Victoria popularised the sailor’s suit
Queen Victoria by George Koberwein © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 406884 On 28th November 1843 Queen Victoria arrived at Drayton Manor for a three night stay with Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. Upon arriving at the Manor, Queen Victoria was greeted by Lady Peel and the Duchess of Buccleuch,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s pink evening dress
On Saturday (7th March 2025) I had the pleasure of visiting Tamworth Castle in Staffordshire. Despite growing up just half an hour away from the castle, I have never had chance to visit and moving to the Isle of Wight naturally made visiting trickier to arrange. However, in January I heard about the castle’s temporary… Continue reading ‘Threads of Victoria’: Celebrating Queen Victoria’s 1843 visit to Tamworth
King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, when Prince and Princess of Wales, in their wedding clothes, 1863 © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2870063 On 10th March 1863 Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales married Princess Alexandra of Denmark at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Whilst the… Continue reading Queen Alexandra’s wedding dress
Queen Victoria's wedding dress © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection TrustRCIN 74853 Commonly attributed to Queen Victoria, this stunning dress dates back to 1851. Wanting to support British trades Queen Victoria regularly wore fabrics made by local manufacturers. This particular dress is made out of blue watered Spitalfields and features a design… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s floral dress