A few of my followers asked what happened to the sleigh in my last blog.
The sleigh designed and created by Hooper & Co is still in existence and is housed in the Royal Mews at Windsor Castle. This sleigh was last on display in 2008 inside St George's Hall at Windsor Castle and is captured in these photographs.
While Albert's heart was with the freedom of skating, he recognised that his wife still much preferred the safety of her sledge and he designed her a brand new, luxury pony drawn sledge. Made in 1844 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 charming effect.
This sledge was immortalised in a print of Victoria and Albert riding in their sledge near Brighton Pavillion in February 1845 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 to be brought down from Windsor with immediate effect. This intricately detailed sleigh became a favourite of The Queen and soon became an essential feature in The Queen and Prince's winter activities.
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