Queen Victoria and Belvoir Castle - Royal splendour and stately homes

Last Christmas I visited Belvoir Castle not only as a research opportunity but I was working there as a historical interpreter for their Christmas event at The Engine Yard.

I was incredibly lucky to have a tour around the castle and a three night stay at Croxton Lodge but of course seeing the bed Victoria once slept in and being able to be having exclusive access to The Elizabeth Saloon really topped the visit off.

The lodge we was incredibly lucky to stay in a hunting lodge at Croxton Park which is to the south of the castle. This beautiful accommodation has it's own history. Between 1802 and 1804 the castle and lodge were linked by a private carriage drive along the embankment of the reservoir. It created a dramatic approach to the castle and was chosen for the arrival of the Dowager Queen Adelaide to Belvoir in 1839, and again in 1843 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited. The lodge was originally an Abbey from the 12th century but after the dissolution in 1535 it was granted to The Earl of Rutland, during the 18th century The 5th Duke of Rutland had a manor built on the grounds to host his hunts and shooting parties, members would then 'retire' to the manor to do it all again the next day.

Belvoir is home to rich history, lavish grounds and a bountiful of heritage. From architectural beauty to stunning views the castle no doubt captivated the young Victoria. Belvoir has always been renowned for it's hospitality, even hosting The Duke of Wellington, Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II. Not only is the castle steeped in age old history but it has also had some more recent milestones. You may have noticed Belvoir has been used as stage for some well known films including The Young Victoria (2010), Victoria and Abdul (2017) and three seasons of The Crown. The Elizabeth Saloon, The Regency Gallery, The Chinese wallpaper bedroom and the gardens have all played a part on screen.

The first thing I sought out on my visit was a labelled slice of 'Queen Victoria's wedding cake' if this cake was actually from Queen Victoria's wedding, the slice most likely given to John James Robert Manners 7th Duke Rutland when attending Victoria and Albert's wedding in 1840. The Royal couple had ordered a hundred cakes to be eaten on the day and the rest to be distributed among relations, ambassadors, household and state officials; this is why so many slices can be found preserved still to this day.

I was given special access into the Elizabeth Saloon where the cake is held so I was able to photograph the wrapped up slice in its case. Upon closer inspection the cake actually appears to be from Princess Victoria of Prussia's wedding to Frederick of Prussia (Later Emperor Frederick III) the latter inscription appears to also mention myrtle from her train. Unfortunately there is no provenance of who the lady captured in the portrait print is.

The second item of great interest is the bed used by Queen Victoria during her stay. Reports from The Illustrated News claimed that a state bed had been made for Her Majesty and that she stayed in the state apartments but in fact she stayed in The King's apartment which she described as "very nicely arranged"

Queen Victoria had visited Belvoir castle as a Princess in 1835 and again in 1843 with her husband Prince Albert. She was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington, the Prime Minster Sir John Peel and the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Christening of the Duke of Rutland’s eldest son.

The Princesses first visit was with her mother, her governess Baroness Lehzen and other members of court. The Princess stayed at Belvoir for three days although she was taken unwell and struggled to even get dressed. She continued to feel unwell throughout the trip The princess described her first glimpses of the castle as 'to give an adequate idea and correct description of this fine place would be impossible. It is built upon a hill overlooking the country surrounded by trees at the bottom'

The second day she was given a tour of the castle and grounds was conducted, Victoria was shown the chapel within the castle and most notably the mausoleum of Elizabeth Howard the 5th duchess of Rutland. On the last day the Princess was still unwell and continued to be sick during the morning. She was given a tincture of rhubarb which she called (nasty stuff) The royal party continued their journey onto Burghley House.

In 1843 Victoria visited Belvoir for a second time but now as a Queen, wife and mother.

On the third day of the Royal couple's visit to the castle, the famous Belvoir Hunt was swinging into action, and a lot was counting on Albert's performance. The main purpose of the visit was about to make Albert seem more of an 'Englishman' and to help him gain popularity. The pressure to please the people of England was an immense weight on his shoulders. Albert brought six horses with him, and chose to ride his favourite, called Emancipation. The Times newspaper described how Victoria proceeded behind by carriage to witness the start of the meet, which was held five miles from the castle. As the Royal Couple and Party made their way to the hunt's location, at least 300 and a further 500 sportsmen joined them on the way. The Times reported that "It was impossible to describe the animated scene, such were the crowds of horsemen, so numerous the vehicles from every part of the country, and so galing with the red coats mingling with the immense moving mass of several thousand persons present" luckily Albert's riding skills were up to scratch and he did not fall off once unlike his aids who were dismounted multiple times. Writing to King Leopold of Belgium, Victoria said,

"Albert's riding has made such a sensation It's been written about all over the country. They make more of it than if he had done some great act. It rather disgusts one, but still it does good for putting an end to the impertinent sneering about Albert's riding"

Having stayed with the hunt until a fox broke cover, Victoria returned to the castle where she awaited Albert, As the hours passed, she grew worried - of course hunting is and was a dangerous sport. She writes:

"I waited very anxiously for my beloved Albert's return, which was not till near 5.00 when it was already quite dark."

An account of the hunt reads:

"The fixture on the fifth having been announced for Croxton Park, and a general opinion prevailing that her Majesty and the Queen Dowager would be present to see the hounds throw off, and that the Prince Consort would join the hunt, an immense concourse of gentry and yeomen assembled at the Castle, the hounds being under the command of Lord Forester. At eleven, her Majesty, Queen Adelaide, Prince Albert, and the Duke of Rutland entered a carriageand-four, escorted by outriders in his Grace's livery, mounted on thorough-breds, and, followed by the ladiesin-waiting in another carriage-and-four, proceeded by the public road, the bulk of the equestrians taking the noble Duke's private road. As the cavalcade passed along the route, which was lined for nearly a quarter of a mile with carriages of every description, numerous horsemen joined it, and by the time Croxton Park was within sight, there were full three hundred persons present, which every moment increased, and by the time it reached the park, had swelled to eight hundred, including nearly all the members of the Melton Hunt, in hunting costume, and several ladies, among whom were Miss Manners, of Goadby Hall, a relative of the Rutland family ; and Miss Charlesworth and Miss Doyle, both well known in Leicestershire. The crowd of horsemen and the thousands on foot gave three cheers for the two Queens of England, which * made the welkin ring. On arriving at the park, Prince Albert left the carriage and mounted his favourite hunter (Emancipation), as did the Duke of Wellington, when the ' view-halloo ' was given to these illustrious personages in true fox-hunting style. The Royal carriage moved on through Waltham village, keeping the road to the south of Melton, and took their station on the high ground opposite the Melton spinnies. Lord Forester brought the hounds to the window of the Royal carriage for her Majesty's inspection, and they were shortly after thrown into the spinnies, and immediately gave tongue. Three foxes were a-foot, and on settling to one, he went off to Clawson Thorns, where, being headed by some foot people, he turned back towards the spinnies, and was run in to within one field of the covert. Tried Freeby Wood, but did not find. Trotted on to Waltham pasture, and found immediately, but he was run to ground in three fields. Found a third in Newman's Gorse, near Waltham, and went away merrily for Sproxton Thorns ; a gallant run of three-quarters of an hour, during the greater part of which the pace was very fast. Most of the horses were dead beat, and not more than a dozen up at the finish, among the foremost of whom was the Prince. Both equerries in attendance on his Royal Highness, Colonel Bouverie and Mr. G. E. Anson, had falls which produced some good-humoured jokes at their expense."