Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust RCIN 980024.fa This week we’re looking at this adorable pencil and watercolour sketch by Queen Victoria of her youngest child, Princess Beatrice. The sketch has been dated 16th July and 8th August 1858. On the latter date Queen Victoria writes in her journal: ‘After luncheon,… Continue reading Sketchbook Saturday, week 14
For Queen Victoria, Wednesday 20th August 1884 began like any other. The morning was “splendid, but very hot” as she took breakfast under a tree at her beloved Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Then, at 11:30 she received the news that the Abyssinian envoys had arrived with gifts from King John of Abyssinia.… Continue reading An elephant at Osborne: King John of Abyssinia’s unusual gift to Queen Victoria
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
Group photograph taken in June 1859. From left to right: Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders; Princess Alice; Prince Albert; Duke of Oporto; Queen Victoria (seated); Albert Edward, Prince of Wales; and Leopold I of Belgium. ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “A sad, sad blow, which has long been impending, has at… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The death of King Leopold I of Belgium, 10th December 1865
Princess Maud in 1910 Source: Wikipedia “A fine morning — Walked down to the Mausoleum with the Dss of Roxburghe & drove back — Very busy with every sort of thing. — Leopold of B. arrived just before luncheon. Everything had gave off admirably, first, at bucking. ham Palace, where all the Addresses from the… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The birth of Princess Maud, 26th November 1869
On 24th October 1887, Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, daughter of Princess Beatrice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was born at Balmoral Castle. Queen Victoria with Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, September 1897 ©️ Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust “Was up in the night with my poor Beatrice, who was very… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The birth of Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, 24th October 1887
“Thursday, October 10. - Got up at ½ p.10 and saw to my astonishment that a stone or rather 2 stones had been thrown at my dressing room window and 2 glasses broke; the stone was found under the window, in the little blue room next the audience room another window broken and the stone… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Victoria and Albert meet for the second time, 10th October 1839
“Thursday, October 10.- Got up at ½ p.10 and saw to my astonishment that a stone or rather 2 stones had been thrown at my dressing room window and 2 glasses broke; the stone was tound under the window, in the llle diue room next the audience room another window broken and the stone tound… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Victoria and Albert meet for a second time, 10th October 1839
On 8th October 1905, Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married her second husband, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia. Princess Victoria Melita and Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia in 1906Source: Wikimedia Commons The two cousins first met in 1891, while attending a family funeral. Before long, the two wished to marry. However, Victorias… Continue reading Princess Victoria Malta and Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia
“I was woke at 4, to go to dear Beatrice, & before 7, she gave birth to a fine big boy. Everything went off quite well, & "unberufen" she could not be better. Such a contrast to that dreadful confinement here 4 years ago when dear little Eva was born. So thankful that all is… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The birth of Prince Maurice of Battenberg, 3rd October 1891
Like themselves, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert wanted their children to marry for love, as well as convenience. However, before their eldest child, Princess Victoria, had even left the schoolroom, it was decided that she would marry Prince Friedrich of Prussia, who was nine years her senior! The two first met in 1851 when Friedrich… Continue reading The courtship and engagement of Victoria, Princess Royal and Prince Friedrich of Prussia
At 6am on 26th February 1869, Princess Helena, fifth child of Queen Victoria, gave birth to her second child, Prince Albert, at Frogmore House in Windsor. At the time of his birth, Queen Victoria was staying at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. In her journal the Queen wrote that she was “most truly… Continue reading The life of Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein