Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
In November 1878, diphtheria - a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes inflammation of the mucous membranes along with other potentially fatal symptoms - rapidly spread amongst the family of Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse, who had recently returned to Darmstadt following a trip to Eastbourne in England. In the evening of 7th… Continue reading Diphtheria in Darmstadt: The illness that swept through the Hessian Royal Family
On 7th May 1859, Queen Victoria’s third child, Princess Alice, attended her first Drawing-Room at St James’ Palace. Princess Alice dressed for her first Drawing-room by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, dated 1859 Royal Collection Trust / ©️ HM King Charles III ‘… - Early luncheon & dressing for Drawingroom, to which Alice went for the 1rst… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Princess Alice attends her first Drawing-room, 7th May 1859
On 9th April 1898, the confirmation of Princess Alice, daughter of Prince Leopold and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, took place in Cannes, France. “Another splendid day. - Received on getting up, the annexed very interesting telegram from the Sirdar himself. The fighting must have been severe, & splendid on the part of our troops. The… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The confirmation of Princess Alice of Albany, 9th April 1898
Hesse family group with Queen Victoria, February 1879. From left to right: Princess Victoria; Hereditary Grand Duke, Ernest Louis; Grand Duke Louis IV; Queen Victoria; Princess Irene; Princess Elizabeth; Princess Alix. ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III "Poor dear children, for I write this for you all—you have had the most terrible… Continue reading Letter from Queen Victoria to the children of Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse, dated December 1878:
On 13th March 1892, Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, husband of Princess Alice and Son-in-law of Queen Victoria, died aged just 54 at New Palace, Grand Duchy of Hesse. Princess Alice and Prince Louise of Hesse in July 1862©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 2024 “A dreadful day, one… Continue reading Queen Victorias Journal: The death of Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, 13th March 1892
“A dreadful day. — Dear Alix came to breakfast. She showed us a letter she had got from poor Louis. — The Govt had a Majority of 110 on Mr Fawcett's motion, also about India. — It was fine bright, though cold, which we rejoiced at on account of today's sad ceremony. Just a month,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The funeral of Princess Alice of Hesse, 18th December 1878
Queen Victoria with Princess Louise (left) and Princess Alice (right) at Balmoral in October 1863 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “Felt very miserable on waking to think that this day, once so gay & joyous, had came round again. — Wet early, but it cleared rather late, & I walked to… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Christmas journals, 24th December 1863:
Informal engagement photo of Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse, taken on 8th December 1860 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “A very doubtful heavy morning, but we decided to go to Aldershot. — Took leave of Nemours & Alencon & started for Aldershot by rail, with Alice, Lenchen, Louis, Arthur,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The engagement of Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse, 30th November 1860
Reception of the Emperor and Empress of Russia at Balmoral, 22 September 1896, by Amadée Forestier©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 22nd September: “A pouring wet day, the worst we have yet had, most unexpected after yesterday. — Heard on getting up, that the Imperial Yacht was in sight of Leith. —… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The visit of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna (formerly Princess Alix of Hesse), 22nd September- 3rd October 1896
"This terrible day come round again! Slept tolerably, but woke very often, constantly seeing darling Alice before me. When I woke in the morning, was not for a moment aware of all our terrible anxiety. And then it all burst upon me. I asked for news, but nothing had come. Then got up, & went,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The death of Princess Alice, 14th December 1878
In June 1858, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert embarked on a three day tour to Birmingham. Over the next few days I will be sharing her journals from throughout their trip before sharing an in-depth blog about her stay at Stoneleigh Abbey. I hope you enjoy! Warwick Castle by Richard Principal Leitch, dated 1859 ©️… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Victoria and Albert’s tour of Warwickshire (part 3), Wednesday 16th June 1858
On this day, 11th July 1866, Princess Irene, daughter of Princess Alice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was born at New Palace, Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse Princess Irene in the 1880s “Very, very hot. — Telegrams saying Emperor meant to enforce Armistice & That Gablenz had been sent back from Prussian Headquarters, without the… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal- The birth of Princess Irene of Hesse and by Rhine, 11th July 1866