The Queen's Great-Great-Grandmother's Seaside Mansion Was Locked Up For 5 Decades – Inside

Jul 28, 2021 by apost team

Queen Elizabeth II's great-great-grandmother was Queen Victoria, who ruled the British monarchy from 1837–1901. Before Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-serving monarch in British history, Queen Victoria held the title previously with her 63-year reign. 

Victoria was married to Prince Albert and together the couple had nine children. Although they lived primarily at Buckingham Palace — in fact, Victoria was the first monarch to reside there after extensions were added in the 19th century — the couple also had a holiday home on the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England.

The seaside mansion, named Osborne House, was situated in East Cowes on the island. After buying the original much smaller Osborne House in 1845, the couple decided it was too small for their needs and rebuilt it entirely from 1845–1851, modeling it in the Italian Renaissance style. It boasted interiors inspired by Naples, Italy, which Albert was very fond of, a chapel, a museum, a Swiss lodge for the kids and a private beach. Victoria once remarked that it was "impossible to imagine a prettier spot."

Victoria visited until 1901 when she died at the house. Despite her wishes, King Edward presented it back to the state in 1902, at which time part of the grounds was used for training by the Royal Navy.

Some areas did remain private however and were closed off for over 50 years until Queen Elizabeth II allowed some of Victoria and Albert's private rooms to be opened up to the public. Later in the 1980s, another floor of the residence was officially opened up for public visitation. Let's take a look at the gorgeous seaside mansion.

Situated on Osborne House's property is an Alpine-style chalet that was known as the Swiss Cottage. Built in 1854 for the royal children, the two-story building features a balcony that runs all around the upper level. The aim of the house was to help the kids learn about domestic life including how to cook and harvest produce, as well as entertain guests, so naturally, it featured a kitchen and pantry inside as well as a full dining room. In the image above, the actress Dame Judi Dench is seen pictured with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on the Swiss Cottage's balcony in 2018.

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A gorgeous room decorated in bright yellow and gold furnishings, the drawing room is filled with ornate furniture such as duchess satin sofas, armchairs, and matching curtains, marble plinths that go all the way to the top of the high ceilings, two jeweled chandeliers and intricate ceiling carvings of gold. Arts and culture are ever-present in the room, with fine art lining the walls, while an antique wooden grand piano and bookshelves are also featured.

Queen Victoria's personal dressing room was decorated in soft florals and blush pink walls, with the theme carried from the curtains down to the brown and cream floral carpet. A wooden dressing table is situated in front of a large window with matching wooden furniture scattered throughout the room. A large mirror situated above the white log fireplace completes the dressing room off.

Featuring the same brown and cream floral carpet that was also in Victoria's dressing room, as well as the same floral curtains, the sitting room is painted in a bright canary yellow. Three floor-to-ceiling windows allow ample sunlight in, while one long and one round table are each decorated with various paintings and artifacts.

Much more understated than the first sitting room, the second is minimally decorated, however, it does feature different floral carpet and curtains, as well as a striking olive green on the walls. A few large paintings hang over the fireplace, while a small circular table centrally placed in the room appears to be the only piece of furniture, alongside a number of chairs scattered throughout.

The bedroom of Queen Victoria featured a canopy bed decorated with floral curtains, a common theme throughout the house. Featuring an apple green headboard that contrasts with the room's mint walls, the bed has a wooden frame, while a matching floral chaise longue is situated at the foot of the bed. Florals extend once again to the carpets and armchairs, and as with many of the other rooms, there is a white log fireplace.

Prince Albert's dressing and writing room is painted in a soothing soft blue, while the floral carpet and curtains are extensions from the rest of the house. In the center of the room is a writing desk with books, while a wooden side table sits along the wall, covered with many ornaments and paintings hanging above. Albert died in 1861, 40 years before his wife, and in that time his room remained largely untouched.

Did you know about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's seaside mansion, Osborne House? Which is your favorite room? If you learned something from this article then be sure to pass it on to any royal fans you know!