Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
Did you know that both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were brought into the world by the same female midwife? Charlotte von Siebold Source: Wikipedia Born in 1788, Charlotte von Siebold was fascinated by medicine, a trait she adopted from her mother and step-father, Damian von Siebold, who was a city doctor and medical officer… Continue reading Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s mutual midwife, Charlotte von Siebold
“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
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