Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
On 7th March 1863, Princess Alexandra of Denmark arrived in England three days before her wedding to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. “Bustle & agitation everywhere. The preparations in London & all over the country quite wonderful & people are very anxious it should be Known that it is meant out of love & affection… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Princess Alexandra of Denmark arrives in England, 7th March 1863
On 2nd March 1882 Roderick Maclean attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria as she left her train and entered her carriage at Windsor railway station. During the transition a loud bang was heard from the crowd, who rushed to stop Maclean from taking another shot. When officers arrived they found that two Eton boys, named Wilson… Continue reading Roderick Maclean’s attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria, 2nd March 1882
On 26th February 1869, Prince Albert, son of Princess Helena and grandson of Queen Victoria, was born at Frogmore House, Windsor. Princess Helena with Prince Albert, dated December 1869 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III "A fine calm morning. - Much startled & surprised on getting up to receive a telegram from… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The birth of Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, 26th February 1869
Princess Alice, 14th April 1920 Source: Public Domain "A fine morning. - When I came to breakfast, Leopold told me Helen had been taken ill, & Dr Duncan sent for. Went over to see poor Helen & found her very suffering. Pss Waldeck lunched with us. All was going on well. I returned to Helen,… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The birth of Princess Alice of Albany, 25th February 1883
“Slept well & breakfasted at ½ p. 9, before which Mama came, bringing me a nosegay of orange flowers, & good Lehzen gave me a dear little ring. — Wrote my Journal & saw Ld Melbourne. — Had my hair dressed & the wreath of orange flowers put on my head. My wreath & veil… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Her wedding day, 10th February 1840
On Christmas Day in 2019 viewers were on the edge of their seats as they watched Prince Albert (played by Tom Hughes) fall through and get trapped under an icy lake in the ‘Victoria’ Christmas special. Although most of us believed this scene was added for dramatic effect, it was in fact based on a… Continue reading Prince Albert’s terrifying ice skating accident
Prince Albert’s Sapphire Brooch Image ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 2023Edit ©️ Queen.Victoria.Roses Prince Albert is renowned for designing pieces of jewellery as a gift for his wife, Queen Victoria. One of the first, and perhaps most famous, pieces he gave her was a ‘splendid brooch of an immense Sapphire, set… Continue reading Prince Albert’s Sapphire Brooch
“Sunday, February 9 - Got up at ½ p.9. Received a beautiful Prayer-book from Ma.; breakfasted at 10. Wrote to Lord M. Signed. Wrote my journal. Dearest Albert and Ernest came in; dearest Albert looking so well; with a little of his blue ribbon showing. He brought me 4 beautiful old Fans. At 12 I… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The day before her wedding, 9th February 1840
In 1897 Queen Victoria created twelve pages of written instructions for her funeral and burial. However, without her family knowing Victoria had also created a second secret list, which was to only be read by her physician and dresser, Sir James Reid and Mrs Tuck, following her death. In the evening of 25th January 1901,… Continue reading The unusual items buried in Queen Victoria’s coffin
1900 had been ‘a horrible year’ filled with ‘nothing but sadness and horrors of one kind & another’ for Queen Victoria. On 30th July, her third child, Prince Alfred, died of throat cancer and October also saw the death of her grandson, Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein. The Queens eldest child, Victoria, had also been… Continue reading “I should like to live a little longer”: The death of Queen Victoria
The Christening of The Prince of Wales, by Sir George Hayter, dated 1842-1845 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “Bells were singing & guns firing when I awoke. I offered up earnest prayers that the Almighty would grant this blessing to today's solemn religious act, & that our little Boy might become… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The christening of Prince Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, 25th January 1842
Princess Louise at Windsor castle on 7th March to commemorate her confirmation©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “A beautiful morning. — Felt very low when I walk, thinking, & praying for our beloved fatherless Child, who was today to take upon herself her Baptismal vows. — At a little before 12 started… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The confirmation of Princess Louise, 21st January 1865