Having spent his childhood Christmases in Germany, Prince Albert had many fond memories surrounding his native Christmas stories and traditions, – including the legend of St. Nicholas – which he was determined to pass onto his own children.
Representing the jolly merriment of the festive season, Father Christmas is famous for giving edible treats to children who have been good and punishing those that have been naughty. Upon hearing this tale from his father in December 1856, Queen Victoria’s seventh child, Prince Arthur, begged his parents to bring St Nicholas to Windsor Castle, and, of course, they said yes.
In her journal on 24th December 1856 Queen Victoria wrote that “Albert got up a St. Nicholas, most formidable he looking, in black, covered with snow, a long white beard, & red nose, — of a gigantic stature! He came in asking the Children, who were somewhat awed & alarmed, – “are you a good child, & giving them gingerbread & apples. I since heard that it was Cowley (the Jäger) who Albert had taught his part beautifully, but the children went on guessing every kind of person, & even now have not been told for certain.”
©️ Queen Victoria’s Revival
This article is the intellectual property of Queen Victoria’s Revival and should not be COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances unless permission is given by the author