Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
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
Queen Victoria's bracelet, 23 Nov 1839 Royal Collection Trust / © HM King Charles III Here we can see Queen Victoria’s gold and amethyst bracelet. It was given to Queen as an engagement gift from her mother, the Duchess of Kent, on the day she announced her engagement to Prince Albert to the Privy Council. … Continue reading Queen Victorias gold and amethyst bracelet
“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
It’s time for another exclusive guest Q&A! This time, we are joined by the lovely Dr Kate Virgus, historian and actress behind History's Maid, her own live historical interpretation company. With this, Kate is probably best known amongst many of my followers for portraying Queen Victoria at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Like… Continue reading Q&A with historical interpreter and author, Dr Kate Virgurs
What happens when two Victorian icons share a mutual interest in one another? Well, for Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens, the answer is nothing - or at least for about thirty years! Join me, Shannon McInulty, as I discover the relationship between Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens and why it took so long for them… Continue reading A mutual love: Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens
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
On 30th July 1892, Queen Victoria awoke to an array of telegrams from “Beatrice & Liko [Henry of Battenberg] which gave me a great fright”. Upon reading the line "Beatrice is now calm & composed", Victoria instantly feared for the worst. As she went through more of the telegrams, the Queen soon realised that her… Continue reading Princess Beatrice narrowly escapes a fire in her bedroom
Princess Helena of Schleswig-Holstein is perhaps the least known of Queen Victoria’s nine children. However, like Princess Anne is today, Helena was the hardest working royal of her day. Join me, Shannon McInulty, in today’s post as I explain why Princess Helena is one of History’s Heroines. Princess Helena in April 1859 Royal Collection Trust… Continue reading Why is Princess Helena one of History’s Heroines?
At 5am on 23rd November 1886, Prince Alexander of Battenberg, eldest child of Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenberg, was born at Windsor Castle. In her journal Queen Victoria described how the “little bundle” had “screamed tremendously” before being placed in her arms and presented to Home Secretary, Lord Cross, in the Audience Room.… Continue reading The life of Alexander Mountbatten, 1st Marques of Carisbrooke
On 9th December 1897, Queen Victoria made written instructions for her dressers detailing the items she wished to be placed in her coffin. Queen Victoria on her death-bed by Sir Hubert von Herkomer on 24th January 1901 Royal Collection Trust / ©️ HM King Charles III “I wish to be buried in a white silk… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s burial instructions