In the grounds of Balmoral Castle is a
building touching in its simplicity. Called the Garden Cottage, it
was built in the grounds at Balmoral and used by Queen Victoria and
her family. In addition to the rooms of the private wings occupied
by the Queen and Royal Family at Buckingham Palace and Windsor
Castle, the smaller residences of Balmoral Castle and Osborne House
were private houses as…
At Osborne House, the beloved family
retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on the Isle of Wight,
is a private beach, unlike any other in British history. It is a
royal beach, reserved solely for the use of Queen Victoria, Prince
Albert and their family. English…
‘Though I stood for the ninth time near a
child and for the fifth time near a daughter, at the altar, I think
I never felt more deeply than I did on this occasion… When the
blessing had been given, I tenderly embraced my darling “Baby” ‘
(op. cit, Christopher…
Close to Balmoral Castle is a small
church, which is – almost – unique. With the exceptions of St
Mildred’s Church, Whippingham – where Queen Victoria’s family would
sometimes worship when in residence at Osborne and where the
marriage of her daughter, Princess Beatrice was celebrated – or the
country parish church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham
estate, where the…
Queen Victoria’s love of orange blossom
properly began with her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840; however,
this marked only the start of what would be an enduring association
within the Royal Family, and not just for weddings. Orange blossom
is, of course, traditionally…
A new three-year digitisation project
will see some 23,500 items from the Royal Collection, Royal
Archives and Royal Commission be published online. The project
directors hope it will shed new light on the role and influence of
Prince Albert, Prince Consort, on life and…
Queen Victoria is inextricably linked
with Windsor Castle, but these associations, whilst deep-rooted,
are in fact not always visible. A statue of her is within the first
section of the State Apartments at Windsor Castle and her throne
and footstool – presented to her in 1851 – upon which she chose to
be photographed officially as Empress of India, is displayed in the
Garter Throne Room. A…
We know of course, that Queen Victoria’s
relationship with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, whilst difficult
in the early years of her childhood and adolescence, gradually
improved with her marriage to Prince Albert, becoming one of
genuine closeness and affection. The…
“Oh! This was the happiest day of my
life!” With these words, Queen Victoria described her wedding day
in her diary – 10 February 1840, writing up the event for the day’s
entry from Windsor Castle. It marked the beginning of her marriage
to her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The opposite
date of this ecstatic exhortation of joy on behalf of the Queen was
unquestionably 14…
