Queen Victoria and Prince Albert famously loved the great outdoors, particularly during their warm summer trips to the Isle of Wight; but did you know that they were also fond of winter sports, including ice skating and hockey?
Despite receiving skating lessons from Erin tutor, Mr Talbot, Queen Victoria much preferred being pushed around the ice in a "sledge chair". Her first experience in the ice took place on 30th December 1840 when she and Albert went down to the
"skating pond" at Frogmore, on the Windsor estate.
According to the queens journal, the Prince pushed her around the ice in her sledge before she got out to walk "up and down, whilst Albert and the others skated". She then watched as the group played a game of hockey.
Having grown up experiencing cold German winters, Albert was a skilled skater. However, on 9th February 1841, he experienced a terrifying accident, which could have taken his life and changed the future of the monarchy. That morning, the couple - who were just one day away from their first wedding anniversary - went for a gentle stroll around the grounds of Buckingham Palace. As the reached the grand lake, Albert put on new pair his ice skates, which had been a Christmas gift from his wife, whom he helped to walk across the ice to an island in the centre. It was here that the Victoria stood admiring her husband's skill.
According to the times, Albert "had not been on the ice more than two or three minutes" when the ice suddenly broke beneath him, causing him to plummet into the icy waters below. In her journal Queen Victoria writes that she had warned Albert that he was approaching thin ice but her efforts came too late. Despite the dangers, the young Queen - and mother of one - plunged herself forward to try and pull him out. Fortunately her attempts were successful and Albert suffered
"nothing more than a severe cold".
Despite his brush with death, Albert's enthusiasm for skating continued and the royal couple would often host skating parties on the frozen pond at Frogmore - I will be talking more about this later on!
On top of this, Albert also used his interest to help promote the sport amongst the ordinary people.
While Londoners had been skating on the River Thames for centuries, the Victorian era witnessed the invention of artificial ice rinks; and in 1843 the young prince visited the newly opened 'Glaciarium' at the Baker Street Bazzaar. After testing out the new facility, Albert made it clear that he was impressed by his experience and mentioned that he intended to visit again in the future.
While Albert's heart was with the freedom of skating, he recognised that his wife still much preferred the safety of her sledge and - in 1844 - he designed her a brand new, luxury pony-drawn sledge. Made by the Royal carriage makers, Hope & Co., the sledge was decorated with red and gold and was lined with crimson velvet. Not a single detail was missed and even the ponies harnesses were decorated with plumes of ostrich feathers and silver bells, which the Queen described as having "a charming effect".
Before long, the sledge had become an essential feature in Victorias winter activities. In February 1845, the royal family were staying at Brighton Pavilion when the snow began falling and settling fast. Not wanting to waste an opportunity, Victoria requested that the sledge and her ponies, "Keith and Kintore", be brought down from Windsor with immediate effect.
Queen Victoria is commonly believed to have shown little interest in her children but through her journals it is clear to see that she created some special memories with them during the winter months. During a skating party on 31st December 1853, the Queen describes how she and her children went "down to the skating pond, where we went in chairs, & tried to push ourselves along, with spiked poles". Later that day, at 3pm, the whole family gathered amongst their guests, as the band played on the ponds central island. The children and ladies (including Victoria) were pushed around the ice in "sledge chairs" before the male guests participated in yet another 'animated' game of hockey. An hour and a half later, the royal party gathered in the orangery, where mulled wine was served.
While royal life changed following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, winter merriment continued and many of Victorias children enjoyed the hobbies that their parents had once loved. On top of this, several of Queen Victorias grandchildren also enjoyed skating on ponds at Windsor castle, Buckingham Palace and Osborne House.
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