Queen Victoria’s First Christmas: A Homely Christmas

Queen Victoria’s first Christmas was a warm and homely affair spent in the coastal town of Sidmouth. In this two-part article, let us join the Duke and Duchess of Kent and an infant Princess Victoria in their first and only Christmas as a complete family. Read the first part here.

Queen Victoria's first Christmas was celebrated in this homely ambiance. 

The Duke and Duchess of Kent were touched by the "kindly thoughtfulness that had prepared them such a pleasant home coming!" The household servants, except for the stout Devonshire lass who served as a nurse-maid for the princess, were all Germans ; and when the duke and duchess had dined, having  a “homely and seasonable meal," they were all assembled in the dining-room. Here the whole party spent Christmas eve in merriment. They played snapdragon, scoffed sweet cakes, drank spiced wine, sang Lutheran Christmas hymns, and indulged in various quiet amusements.

A band of carol singers arrived about half-past nine and started singing outside the house. The windows were thrown open, and the travelers delightedly peeked at the carolers. When the singing was over, they were invited in and were given money, cakes, and spiced wine before leaving. The Duchess of Kent, always a stickler for early hours, gave the order for bed, and all retired before the clock had struck eleven.

On Christmas morning all were up betimes, for the duke and duchess made it a rule to breakfast at seven. The duke gave a little present to every member of the household, and the Princess Victoria was dressed in a new frock. This was a present from the Duchess of Northumberland, and was of a white woollen material of English manufacture, daintily trimmed with Mechlin lace, and tied with blue ribbons.

It is worth noting that throughout her childhood the princess almost always wore white garments, simply and plainly made, and the ribbons worn with them 'were invariably blue. It is the Queen's favourite colour, and the Royal lady evinces her partiality for it in various ways even to this day.

After attending church the duke and duchess returned to Woolbrook Cottage and partook of a plain luncheon, subsequently making a few afternoon calls on some of the neighbouring gentry.

At seven in the evening dinner was served, and Christmas fare consisted of a sirloin of beef, a suckling-pig, poultry, sweet raisin soup, puddings, and pastry sent especially from Germany. Goose-breast preserved in the German fashion, Strasbourg and Westphalian sausages were also served. With the dessert the princess was brought in, and her father laughingly stuck a piece of berried holly on the child's head, and, putting a cushion on a silver salver, seated her in the centre of the table.

"She is the sweetest dish on theboard." After playing with the little one for some time she was taken away to be undressed and prepared for bed, a matter which the duchess always personally superintended. Then she was taken away to the Duke to receive his goodnight kiss, and, falling asleep in his arms, he carried her to her crib himself, taking the greatest possible care not to awaken her. After the princess had been put to bed came another little gathering of the household, and the singing of more Lutheran Christmas hymns, ending by retirement to rest at the usual early hour.

Thus passed the Queen's first Christmas, in an atmosphere of homely content and peace, such as might almost seem to have foreshadowed that which has blessed her glorious life and reign.