Advent Day 2: Christmas Eve 1838 – Queen Victoria’s Journals

Franz Xaver Winterhalter, “Louise, Queen of the Belgians with Leopold, Duke of Brabant, later Leopold II, King of the Belgians”, 1838, oil on canvas, RCIN 405132, © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust

“Had better accounts of poor Marie from dearest Louise. She had borne the journey wonderfully as far as Pietro Santo. Louise enclosed a very pretty little “Feronieire”, like one Clementine gave her, which I had much admired, when she was in England. Also had a very kind letter from Uncle Leopold & also one from Aunt Gloucester, with a little box from her & Aunt Sophia. Wrote letters & signed. What a pity Ld Melbourne cannot spend Christmas with me. – Played with dear little Freddy & walked.

Before going out riding, went to look at a picture Louise & little Leopold has kindly sent me, painted by a German artist, called Winterhalter. It is life size, 3/4. Drove to the Riding School with Lehzen, Mrs Brand & Miss Murray, the Gentlemen, & Sir George & Miss Quentin joining us there. Rode the same horses as yesterday. A bar was put up, over which I went 6 times & I was told I sat it remarkably well. Then the Gentleman went over. Got on “Comus”, who stupidly does not go well in the school. Lehzen & Mrs Brand remained there, the whole time, & I returned home much amused.-

Read Despatches. – Ld Melbourne writes that he hopes to come here on the 26th & hopes to be able to remain till the 31st, possibly longer. This is delightful news. – Arranged Mama’s present table & then fetched her. She was quite enchanted with one of my gifts, a bracelet with an enamelled portrait of me after Hayter, but without the Crown. Soon after this, I went over to Mama’s room where she had arranged a table for me, & gave me charming presents. –

Wrote my journal & read in Guizot, whilst my hair was being done. It is so interesting & well written. – The same to dinner & I sat between Ld Torrington & Major Keppel. We talked a good deal of our feats in riding. After dinner, I gave all the Ladies trifles, small pieces of jewellery & to my Gentlemen, seals. Besides, I gave all, Annuals, stayed up till 1/2 p 11.”

RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) [24 December 1838] (PRINCESS BEATRICE’S COPIES), VOLUME 5, p237-239, RETRIEVED [25 November 2025]. Supplied by Royal Collection Trust / © HM King Charles III