Discovering the secret life of Queen Victoria since 2018
Queen Victoria’s journal: “Heard once towards morning, that the night, so far, had been good, & that dear Albert was asleep, so that I only went over at 8, but he had not awoke yet, & I returned after a little while. There was a slight appearance of short breathing, but D' Jenner said nothing… Continue reading The final illness and death of Prince Albert through Queen Victoria’s letters and journals, 12th December 1861:
Prince Albert by George Patten, dated around 1840 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III “Enquired at 6 when I woke & heard dearest Albert had had a fair night, with a good deal of sleep. At 7 went into him, & again after my breakfast. He seemed very weak, but still, could… Continue reading The final illness and death of Prince Albert through Queen Victoria’s letters and journals, 8th December 1861:
Despite going against normal tradition, Victorias role as the monarch meant that she had to propose to her future husband. In October 1839, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha returned to Britain to visit his cousin, the Queen. From their births in 1819, a match between the two had been plotted by their mutual family… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: Her engagement to Prince Albert, 15th October 1839
Born at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, on 12th August 1872, Princess Marie Louise was the fourth child of Princess Helena and Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein. Join me, Shannon McInulty, as I explore her journey from free spirited princess to unhappy wife of Prince Aribert of Anhalt and eventually to flourishing “Princess of nowhere”. Princess Marie Louise,… Continue reading The life of Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein
Out of Queen Victoria’s four sons, Prince Alfred is perhaps the least known. From a young age, Alfred was - in his mother’s eyes - the perfect son. Unlike his brother, the Prince of Wales, Alfred was intelligent like his oldest sister, Victoria, and regularly made his parents proud. However, to the dismay of his… Continue reading The life of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Although dedicated to her journals, Queen Victoria was forced to pause her daily habit upon the birth of each of her nine children. When her fourth child, Prince Alfred, was born on 6th August 1844, she once again took time away to recover. In this post you can read her journal covering almost twenty days… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: 25th August 1844 following the birth of Prince Alfred
At 2 o’clock in the morning of 18th March 1848, Queen Victoria went into labour with her sixth child, Princess Louise, who was born at Buckingham Palace just six hours later. The timing of Louise’s birth coincided with political revolutions, which had swept through Europe and Britain, starting on 12th January 1848 and ending on… Continue reading The life of Princess Louise
Born fifth in line to the throne, Princess Alexandrina Victoria’s chances of becoming Queen looked slim; but the death of Princess Charlotte in 1817 and King George III’s lack of legitimate grandchildren paved the way for her to one day become the most powerful woman in the world. Join me as I look at the… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journey to the throne: The line of succession from King George III to Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria working through her correspondences in the gardens at Frogmore House under a canopy on 17th July 1893 “It had rained a great deal during the night, but the morning was fine. — Breakfasted at Frogmore, & was photographed afterwards in the little pony chair, & also sitting at my table. — Just as… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s journal: 17th July 1893
“The wedding day, which was wet early, then cleared & became fine. — Drove to Frogmore for breakfast with Dona & Marie. — Rested when I came back. — Lunched alone with Beatrice & Liko. — Great excitement & bustle, bands marching along, bells ringing, &c. Lenchen & the dear Bride, who looked very sweet… Continue reading Queen Victoria’s Journal- The Wedding of Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert of Anhalt, 6th July 1891:
Out of all the marriages of Queen Victoria’s grandchildren, the match between Princess Marie Louise and Prince Aribert of Anhalt was by far one of the unhappiest. Join me as I explore their short and unhappy marriage! Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein and Prince Aribert of Anhalt, dated July 1891 ©️ Royal Collection Trust /… Continue reading The wedding of Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein and Prince Aribert of Anhalt
On the 5th July 1866, Princess Helena, fifth child of Queen Victoria, married Prince Christian of Scleswig-Holstein in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle ‘The Marriage of Princess Helena, 5 July 1866’ by Christian Karl Magnussen, dated 1866-1869 ©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III While serving as her mothers private secretary, Helena… Continue reading The wedding of Princess Helena and Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein