Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
Prince Albert Victor, dated sometime in the late 1880s ©️ National Portrait Gallery, London “This was the dreadful day, & I was thinking of what was taking place at each hour! — Got a kind letter from dear Bertie. — The dear Remains, with the poor Parents, Children, & Tecks, were to leave Sandringham at… Continue reading Queen Victorias Journal: The funeral of Prince Albert Victor, 20th January 1892
Group at Balmoral, dated 1887. From left to right: Prince Albert Victor; Princess Alix of Hesse; Queen Victoria; Proncess Beatrice; Princess Irene of Hesse; and Princess Beatrice’s dog, Basco. ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 2024 "A never to be forgotten day! When I asked at ½ p. 8 in the morning,… Continue reading Queen Victorias Journal: The death of Prince Albert Victor, 14th January 1892
Queen Victoria, dated 1890Enhanced by Queen.Victoria.Roses ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 2023 "An improved night, though I wake often. Lenchen came & read letters to me after I got up. - The accounts of dear Vicky are not at all satisfactory, which make me so sad. - It blew so hard… Continue reading The final journals of Queen Victoria – part 8, 6th January 1901:
On 13th January 1883, Prince Arthur, son of Prince Arthur and grandson of Queen Victoria, was born at Windsor Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught with their children, dated October 1883. Prince Arthur is in his mothers arms ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III 2024 “Dull & Misty. The Boys had… Continue reading Queen Victorias Journal: The birth of Prince Arthur of Connaught, 13th January 1883
Did you know that Queen Victoria celebrated Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany, with a large Twelfth Night Cake? The tradition of the cake had been going on for centuries and originally the cake had been a fruit bread that resembled brioche and held another tradition of its own. A bean would be placed inside… Continue reading Queen Victorias Twelfth Night Cake
In 1899, Queen Victoria spent a final Christmas at Windsor Castle. The following day, 26th December, the hosted a tea at St George’s Hall for the families of soldiers serving in the second Anglo-Boer War. Queen Victoria described the event in her journal: Queen Victoria handing gifts to her family, dated 1897 “Dull & foggy.… Continue reading Queen Victorias Christmas tea for the families of soldiers serving in the Anglo-Boer war, 26th December 1899
24th December 1900 “I got up a little earlier, & had in fact slept better, not having laid awake long. — Went out with Lenchen & Beatrice. — Rested when I came in, & did not go out again. — Had my tea, & at 6 went down, being joined by Arthur, Louischen & their… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Christmas journals, 24th & 25th December 1900, her final Christmas:
Queen Victoria's Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, 1850 by James Roberts ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “The frost gone, a raw dull morning. - Albert out shooting, & I, walking with the Children. - We walked out in the afternoon, & found it raw & damp. - We began, by giving… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Christmas journals, 24th December 1850
Queen Victoria, dated 22nd June 1897 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “This once so very bright festive day returns sadly vow, the shadow of such deep sorrows hanging like a cloud over it. — Again a bright frosty morning. — Helen & Lorne at breakfast, Louise coming later. — Very busy… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Christmas journals, 24th December 1897, the year of her Diamond Jubilee:
Princess Beatrice with Prince Alexander, dated December 1886 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “A beautiful morning. — Had a letter from Clémentine announcing Ferdinand's being offered the throne of Bulgaria, & the great wish expressed, that he should accept, which he felt inclined to do, only wished to know what Russia… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: The christening of Prince Alexander of Battenberg, 18th December 1886
During Queen Victoria’s reign, Turkey was considered to be a small and much less important part of the Christmas menus than it is today. Before Turkey was popularised by King Edward VII, there were some rather unusual dishes on the Royal Christmas menu. ‘Christmas at Windsor’ Source: Pinterest In the 12th century King Henry II… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Christmas dinner
“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