The Victorian Christmas Display at Windsor Castle

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Victorian Christmas Display at Windsor Castle

On December 24 1850 Queen Victoria sat down at her bureau at Windsor Castle and wrote breathlessly in her journal: ‘My beloved Albert first took me to my tree and table, covered by such numberless gifts, really too much, too magnificent!’

Now visitors to the royal residence in leafy Berkshire will, for the first time, be able to sample Christmas just as Victoria and Prince Albert did 161 years ago.

Although monarchs have celebrated Christmas at Windsor since the 12th century, the couple were responsible for popularising the celebration in the form we know today.

The Victorian Christmas displays at Windsor Castle will be open to the public from today (Saturday) until January 28 2012.

Windsor Castle is open daily, except 25 and 26 December.

Tickets are available from www.royalcollection.org.uk.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2066193/Sauceboats-shaped-like-sleighs-giant-conifer-suspended-ceiling--Get-set-Victorian-Christmas-Windsor-castle.html#ixzz1ekUdynIH

Queen of Jewelry

Brooches, usually worn on the left shoulder, were a favourite for the royal and the Queen was believed to have over 100 in her collection. A selection that would go with an outfit were presented to her - usually three at a time - by her senior dresser and confidante Angela Kelly on special trays that once belonged to Queen Mary. The royal had a wide variety of different brooches which she often wore with her usual pearl earrings and necklace, including a spray of flowers brooch by the people and government of Australia during her Coronation tour of 1954./