An Overview of Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
As excitement mounts surrounding the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Elizabeth II reign in June of this year, it is interesting to note how different and relatively low key the celebrations were when her great grandmother, Queen Victoria celebrated her 50th year on the British throne.
Queen Victoriabecame queen when she was just eighteen years old and reigned for almost 64 years. Fifty years after her coronation on the 20th and 21st June 1887 she celebrated her Golden Jubilee. According to her diary, on the first day she took breakfast near the resting place of her beloved husband Prince Albert, who died several years earlier from cholera and was buried in Windsor Castle. She then traveled by train to Paddington station, and on to Buckingham palace to prepare for the planned celebrations, which began with a reception in the 'Bow Room' on the evening of the 20th. Later that evening this was followed by a banquet in the Supper Room. Fifty foreign kings and heads of state traveled thousands of miles from the colonies and dominions to pay their respects. She was escorted into the dining room by the King of Denmark, Christian IX on one side and King George I of Greece whom she called Willy, on the other.
The men were all dressed in uniforms and the princesses all wore beautiful gowns. The banquet was followed by a ball and the music was supplied by a live band. The following day she attended a celebratory service at Westminster Abbey. She rode the six miles to the Abbey in a golden Landau (open coach), drawn by half-a-dozen cream-coloured horses escorted by Indian cavalry. For the occasion she insisted on wearing a simple bonnet, although the consensus of opinion was that she should wear a crown. After the death of prince Albert, Queen Victoria was seldom, if ever seen in public, therefore it was hardly surprising that the streets were teeming with thousands of her subjects, eager to catch a glimpse of their reclusive sovereign.
After returning to the palace she appeared on the balcony to the rapturous cheers of her waiting subjects. After going back inside she presented commemorative pins and broaches to members of her family. That evening she discarded the black attire she had worn since her husband’s death and adorned herself in what has been described as a splendid gown embroidered with silver thistles and shamrocks. Later that evening, she greeted individually, a long procession of royals, Indian princes and dignitaries, after which she was taken into the garden to watch a magnificent fireworks display.
Clearly surprised by the public’s reaction she later wrote in her diary “No one ever, I believe, has met with such ovation as was given to me passing through those six miles of streets. The cheering was deafening and every face seemed to be filled with joy. I was much moved and gratified”. Queen Victoria lived long enough to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee (60 Years) ten years later making her the longest serving monarch so far. She died on the 22nd January 1901 having lived to the ripe old age of 81 years.
