Today we discover what life was like for the 13 year Victoria when she visited the Earl of Lichfield with her domineering mother in 1832. Tim reveals how Victoria was kept under 24 hour surveillance by her mother the Duchess of Kent – such was her paranoia that something untoward would happen to her. The sleeping arrangements while at Shugborough back this up. Victoria slept in the same bedroom as her mother, most likely in the same bed. He also reveals how much of the impressive house is in fact sham – all smoke and mirrors. He tastes the beer still brewed in the estate as it would have been during Victoria's visit and disovers its role in warding off cholera. Tim also tells the story of Victoria's hosts dramatic crash into bankruptcy after her visit.
Today's visit to Harewood House in Yorkshire was made in 1835, two years before she became Queen, having learnt she would inherit the thrown four years earlier. And it appears our teenage Victoria was becoming quite used to the royal highlife, and becoming pretty hard to please. She records in he...
Tim & Rosemary visit Holkham Hall in North Norfolk, as they retrace the steps of 16 year old Victoria on a two day visit there, in 1835, two years before she became Queen. It was part of a PR drive by Her mother, the Duchess of Kent, who was keen to show Victoria off to her future subjects. And i...
Chef Rosemary Shrager and Antiques expert Tim Wonnacott visit The Royal Pavilion Brighton to reveal the story behind 19 year old Queen Victoria's visit during the Christmas Holidays in 1838 – the year she became queen. Tim shows us the extraordinary Chinese style interior and reveals just how it ...