Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
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
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
Today (17th April) is World Haemophilia Day. Known as “The Royal Disease”, haemophilia is commonly associated with Queen Victoria, who was the first known member of the British Royal Family to be a carrier of the illness. Through Victoria and her descendants, haemophilia had spread across various European monarchies by the 1920s. Until the birth… Continue reading The Royal Disease: Haemophilia and the Royal Family
On the 7th April 1839, Queen Victoria found herself defending the novel ‘Oliver Twist’ against the criticism of her Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, who complained that it’s “debasing style” and use of slang was like a “beggars opera”. As the conversation continued, Melbourne went on to say that he didn’t like “workhouses and coffin makers,… Continue reading Queen Victoria and Lord Melbourne get their knickers in an ‘Oliver Twist’ over Charles Dickens’ classic novel
Despite sitting on the British throne for over 63 years, Queen Victoria only visited Ireland four times throughout her life. Having visited in 1849, 1853 and 1861, Victorias final visit in April 1900 is perhaps the most poignant as it took place less than a year before the iconic monarch passed away. Throughout her long… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s final arrival in Ireland, 4th April 1900
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
On 23rd November 1887, Princess Victoria Eugénie, daughter of Princess Beatrice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was christened at Balmoral Castle. “[…] The ceremony was at 1, & was performed by Dr Lees. We sat on either side of the font, I, with those who represented the sponsors, viz: the Dss of Roxburghe for Vicky,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The christening of Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, 23rd November 1887
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