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British RoyalsFeatures

Prince Albert’s plaster hand and other contents of Queen Victoria’s coffin

Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901, laid out some very specific instructions for her funeral.

Her personal physician was with her in her final hours when she died on the Isle of Wight. She was surrounded by her family, including her son and successor King Edward VII and her oldest grandson, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany.

She requested that her favourite pet, a Pomeranian called Turi to be laid upon her deathbed as her final request.

The Queen’s finale arrangements were surrounded in secrecy, some of the elements of her life did not gain her family approval, so Queen Victoria kept secret many of the things she wanted to be buried with.

Near the end of her life, her secretary took 12 pages of detailed notes surrounding what she wanted in terms of burial and funeral.

Dr Reid, the Queen’s personal physician, carried out these instructions. He was the person who was with Queen Victoria in her final days and hours. He carried out her specific and zany instructions.

Victoria requested a plaster cast of Prince Albert’s hand, which was created shortly after his death. She never fully recovered from the loss of her husband. Following his death, she remained out of the public eye and wore mourning clothes.

As well as that, she requested not one but two wedding rings. One for her husband, which was a well-known request. She asked for a second, a request that was known only to Dr Reid. This ring was given to her by her servant, John Brown, a romantic relationship that caused upset within the traditional aristocratic circles of the Royal Family.

She was also buried with a photo of John Brown, and a lock of his hair. Her son, King Edward VII removed all mention of John Brown at royal properties. However, she took his memory to the grave with these mementoes to a friend and lover.

These are some of the stranger things she was laid to rest with. She was also buried with books, bracelets, lockets, fresh flowers, and her body was covered in jewellery.

Her coffin was custom-designed, and despite her small size was huge.