Advent Day 21: Christmas Eve 1857 – Queen Victoria’s Journals
- youngqueenvictoria
- Dec 21, 2025
- 2 min read
“This day has come round so fast again, & it feels quite unlike it, it is so springlike & all the birds singing. — Albert went out shooting & I rode with Mary Bulteel, Gen: Greg, & Col: Biddulph, “Sunset” going so well. — Ernest L. (come for Xmas) appeared for luncheon. — So busy, — so many things to choose & arrange, & sending all the poor Orleans family my presents. — Took quite a short turn with Vicky. —
Gave the Governesses, Dressers, maids, &c & also the Tutors my presents, then hurried off to arrange the things in the different rooms, & always kept in suspense, by some of the things not turning up, — in short such a state of bustle. At length, only shortly before ½ p. 6, as Mama did not arrive sooner, we went with her & all the 9 Children (Affie having come) into the rooms with the Xmas trees & presents. There was a great display of things, & all seemed much pleased, — none more so than Vicky, whose last happy Xmas it was with us all, as a Child! A sad thought, but she was very cheerful.
Dearest Albert gave me such beautiful things, — really much too many, — amongst them a copy of Winterhalter’s picture of the Empress Eugénie in a straw hat, which I am so particularly fond of, & which is charming. Dear Mama gave 2 very pretty drawings of her rooms at Frogmore by Roberts, work, done by herself, books, &c —. Most of the Children gave drawings or pieces of work. Dear Albert was much pleased with the little Horace Vernet I gave him, as well as other things I had thought out, including a luncheon case.
At 7, we gave the Ladies & Gentlemen their tree & gifts in the Oak Room, & they seemed much pleased with them. Then, back to our rooms, where there was a merry, happy scene. All our things much admired. Remained till near 8. — Ernest the only addition to our dinner. Wore some of my chraming gifts, & so did Vicky. — Thankful & happy for all my beloved one gave me, only sorry the exciting moment is over!”
RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) [24 December 1857] (PRINCESS BEATRICE’S COPIES), VOLUME 44, p141-142, RETRIEVED [30 November 2025]. Supplied by Royal Collection Trust / © HM King Charles III
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