Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s visit to Arundel Castle

In December 1846, Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, visited Arundel Castle, where they stayed for a few days. The townsfolk were thrilled with this royal visit and Henry Charles Howard, 13th Duke of Norfolk, had extensively prepared for this visit that he even remodelled the castle ahead of the queen and prince consort’s arrival. The delighted queen wrote at the end of her visit about how she enjoyed her stay there, commenting on the "beautiful" castle and the friendliness of her reception. The suite of rooms in which Victoria stayed are now part of the family's private apartments but the suite of bedroom furniture made for her is on display. Among other things to see are the Queen's bed, the guest book bearing her and her Consort's signature, and her toilet.

Queen Victoria's bedroom in Arundel Castle. 

The Pictorial Times has vividly described this royal visit: 

Arundel was gaily illuminated on Wednesday night. At the castle the keep was brilliantly illuminated in gas, from a platform which bore the words " Welcome, Victoria and Albert," in characters five feet in size, and each jet being covered by a glass cup. There was a grand display of fireworks in the meadow, at the foot of the castle hill, of which exhibition a full view was commanded from the castle windows. The Mayor of Arundel, Mr. E. H. Gibbon waited on her Majesty, and Prince Albert last evening, shortly after seven o'clock, to present the congratulatory addresses agreed on by the Corporation. Her Majesty with His Royal Highness Prince Albert on her left hand, and the Duchess of Sutherland, as Mistress of the Robes, on her right, with Lord John Russell, Viscount Palmerston, Viscount Morpeth, the Duke of Bedford, and other visitors, ranged on either side of the Queen, received the Mayor, in the state drawing-room the Duke of Norfolk introducing that gentleman.

The splendid room in which the dinner was served up was originally the baronial chapel of St. George, now converted into a modern salle à manger. On either side of the entrance from the corridor were beaufets, on which were exhibited a superb collection of coronation cups of different sovereigns, claimed by the duke's ancestors, as Hereditary Earls Marshal. The room is adorned by several family portraits. The draperies are of a sumptuous figured brocade, and all the enrichments of the ornamental gothic parts are gilt. The table presented a gorgeous display of plate, the banqueting board being illuminated by five elaborately designed gold candelabra, alternating with which were valuable antique ornamental plate. There were also two beautiful compositions in silver of the meeting of Henry VIII and Francis I on the field of the cloth of gold ; and the Norman Crusader and Tuch. The dessert service used on this occasion was of gold.

The Duke of Norfolk, previous to the withdrawal of her Majesty and Prince Consort from the room, rose and gave the " health of the Queen." The noble host subsequently gave "his Royal Highness Prince Albert," shortly after which the Queen and Duchess of Norfolk, accompanied by the ladies, retired to the state drawing-room. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort took leave of the circl, and proceeded to the elegant suite of rooms selected for their exclusive use, shortly after eleven o'clock.

Next morning the Queen and Prince, as usual on their visits to the aristocracy, breakfasted alone. The Queen, in the early part of the forenoon, accompanied by Prince Albert, and attended by the Duke of Norfolk, promenaded the pleasure gardens within the walls of the old castle, her Majesty and the Royal Prince being absent from the house upwards of an hour. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Ellesmere, the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Viscount Palmerston, and Lord John Russell, left the castle about ten o'clock for the Duke's preserves at Bury Coombe near Whiteways, to enjoy a few hours shooting. A great many head of game were killed, Prince Albert bagging sixty-eight pheasants and three hares. The party returned to luncheon just before two o'clock, the Prince and Queen joining the distinguished guests The Duke of Wellington did not leave the Castle during the morning, but accompanied the Queen and Prince and the Duke of Norfolk, when they went to see the ancient keep of the castle, and the extraordinary owls which are now the only inhabitants of that part of the ancient fortress Her Majesty and party subsequently visited the Duchess’ dairy.

Wednesday evening the royal dinner party comprised, in addition to her Majesty and Prince Albert, the Duke of Norfolk, the Duchess of Norfolk, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, the Duke of Wellington, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Earl and Countess of Arundel, the Marchioness of Douro, Lady Mary Howard, the Marquis of Granby, the Earl and Countess of Ellesmere, Lord and Lady John Russell, Lord and Lady Palmerston, Lord Morpeth, Lord Brooke, Lord E Howard (Vice Chamberlain), the Honorable Miss Napier, Honourable Colonel Bouverie, the Honorable Colonel Phipps, Sir H.D., Goring, the Bishop of Chichester, Mr. J. A. Smith MP, Mr. Martin Tucker Smith, and a portion of the Arundel and Bramber Yeomanry.

After dinner the "Ethiopian Serenaders" had the honour of performing before her Majesty and the party at the castle, increased by a large number of the neighbouring gentry and clergy, on the invitation of the noble Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. A few of those thus admitted were Mr. Wood (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Lady Mary Wood, who we may here mention are staying at Dale Park, the seat of Mr. J. A. Smith, during the royal visit, Mrs. and Miss Gilbert (from the Episcopal Palace at Chichester ) the Donn of Chichester, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Smith, Sir H. Seymour Captain, Mrs. and Miss Pechell, Sir H. and Lady Goring, Sir R. and Lady Hunter.

On Thursday evening the royal dinner party will be the same as last night, with the exception that the Bishop of Chichester will be replaced by William Townley Millford, Esq , the High Sheriff of Sussex.  The “Distin Family” were engaged to play and Mr E. Young, the “Great Northern Wizard," also had the honour of appearing before her Majesty. The court arranged to return to Osborne House on Friday (yesterday), leaving the castle at ten o'clock in the morning.