Osborne House was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s holiday home.
The royal family usually visited four times each year. Victoria and Albert tried to spend their birthdays together at Osborne, as private, family celebrations.
Life at Osborne allowed Victoria and Albert to spend time with their nine children. When there were no visitors, the children often joined them at breakfast and luncheon and accompanied Victoria on walks and rides. In the evenings, they would be brought in one or two at a time to play.
When Albert sadly died, Victoria came to grieve at Osborne, where Albert had been happiest. His dressing room became the focus for family ceremonies, and in the early days of her widowhood Victoria used it for Privy Council meetings. Although she didn’t visit on their birthdays, but rather, came for Christmas and their wedding anniversary.
A new wing was added in 1890 to provide accommodation for Victoria’s youngest daughter Beatrice, who was bringing up her family at Osborne. It housed the Durbar Room (pics coming up!)
This room was the Council Room and second dining room and ballroom…
The dining room is a room of colour and happiness, with walls like pink marshmallows dipped in gold lace.
And we walked through the Billiard Room, taking time to look up and admire the chandeliers.
With views out onto the garden, sea and mainland.
The Royal Nursery Suite is charming…
Miniature chairs and tables with cots all in a row…
It is situated just above Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s private apartments, allowing them easy access to their children.
I think you get the feeling from walking around that this was a warm and happy family house.
The Durbar room commanded an intricate ceiling. Looking up, it’s like you’re creeping under a giant doily blanket suspended over your head.
Happily soaking up the very bright, late October sunshine.
Through to the walled garden edged in by borders bursting with Autumn colour.
Osborne House is a must-see if you’re in the Isle of Wight!
I like to think of it as Queen Victoria did: a home away from home.
