| Osborne House: The Dream Home of Victoria & Albert |
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| Tuesday, 04 April 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Victoria and Albert were married only several years and their family was beginning to grow slowly, with the addition of their children. The couple had restored not only dignity to the crown, but were an endless source of fascination for the nation. The young family represented stability and the young Queen took very seriously the many tasks undertook in relation to her role as Head of State. She was supremely happy with her husband and her private life was becoming more and more precious to her. More than anything, what she wanted was a normal family life...just like everyone else.  Whilst the Queen loved the excitement of being in London, she noticed that Albert was much happier while they were in the country. It seemed to soothe and invigorate him. It was therefore always a source of sadness to them when a visit to the country was nearing its close...yet, Victoria couldn’t often be away. Her Ministers would never hear of it. As monarch, she had use of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace in London, each one having its advantages as well as its drawbacks. Windsor was much too large and didn’t have the cosiness she craved. In turn, the Palace was really not ideal for the sovereign's growing family, who felt at times as if they were living in a goldfish bowl. Even when trying to go out for a walk, invariably there would be someone there to see them. There was no privacy. Windsor was preferable, and undoubtedly the more beautiful, but both homes belonged to the Crown. Victoria and Albert weren’t free to do as they pleased. Ever sensitive to her husband's needs, the Queen pondered this and knew that Albert perceived both places as hers, and not his. Why couldn’t they, like any other married couple, have a home of their own? One day as the royal couple were taking a walk, they discussed this at length. If the new home could accommodate their servants and the Privy Council (if needed) it might work. There must also be room for the Prime Minister and important guests, as well as the ever-present aides, such as Private Secretaries. Excitedly, they discussed the options and decided they wanted to find a property of their own, to be paid for with their own money. If this could be achieved, they would own their very own home which, as Victoria mused, "would be so nice". The young Queen remembered a special place from her youth: the Isle of Wight. That's where Norris Castle was and she had gone there with her mother in the summers while she was young. When thinking back to that carefree time near the sea, it brought with it happy images of her dogs running near the ocean, spending time outdoors, the smell of the sea and sleeping soundly through the night. 'Oh', she thought, 'if only I had bought it years ago when it was offered to me!' Sadly, she had not. Soon, however, the royal couple were made aware of another home for sale on the Isle of Wight called Osborne. Albert went first to look at the house and property, alone. He arrived home late in the evening and the Queen excitedly awaited his impressions. Albert was happy with what he saw, Victoria recording that he was "much pleased".  They decided it would be wise to take a lease on the house for a year and, if they liked it, they could make the arrangements to buy it and make the necessary alterations to accommodate their staff, and to make it comfortable for the family.Seeing the house for the first time made quite an impression on the Queen. After sailing across the Solvent, they approached the property. Victoria was ecstatic. Noting that it was "delightfully private" — which was very important to her — they stayed on for several days to look over the house and spent hours alone investigating the property, going through the woods and strolling along the beach, with its beautiful panorama of blue waters. Victoria was thrilled with the house and grounds and felt it was paradise. The burden of duties on herself and Albert was causing both to feel prematurely aged. They were tired but now, finally, they would have a place to rest and to be totally alone. What more could the Queen want? Her husband was evidently happy here, on this lush land, and she loved the bracing sea air, which would be so good for them. She pronounced that the house was "so complete and snug." Victoria, who looked to Albert for wisdom in so many things, saw an excitement in him, an aliveness whilst he was on the property. She could see in his eyes that he loved the land and the sea, and the feeling of it all. She felt confident they would buy Osborne. Albert began to talk to her about what accommodations would need to be arranged, and spoke too about their future. He came up with ideas for the landscape and gardens and they even imagined that there might be a walk to the sea, lined by large evergreens. He reeled off the names of trees and plants that they might want to buy, and walked around the land, studying it's layout, all the time pointing out his ideas to his adoring wife. It was the beginning of a new life. After some difficulties finalizing the sale, as well as the time it took to acquire the properties surrounding Osborne to assure their privacy, the royal couple's dream began to be realized. Albert made the purchase from their personal finances. Finally, they had their own home! The Queen's Ministers had no real problem with the idea of her "vacation" home, and Albert was excitedly working on the plans for the house. It was wonderful to see him so happy, so content and eager to create for himself and his beloved family the safe haven they needed. They would be in total seclusion. Victoria and Albert were never more excited. There was also an added bonus to this delightful place: when sailing across the Solent to Osborne, the Queen could disembark on her very own property! About hew new home, Victoria wrote to (her former Prime Minister) Lord Melbourne: "It is impossible to see a prettier place, with woods and valleys and points de vue, which would be beautiful anywhere; but all this near the sea (the woods grow into the sea) is quite perfection. We have a charming beach quite to ourselves. The sea was so blue and calm that the Prince said it was like Naples. And then we can walk about anywhere by ourselves without fear of being followed and mobbed, which Lord Melbourne will easy understand is delightful." Albert spent much time with the architect Thomas Cubitt reviewing the plans for the new house. It was decided that it was more practical to build a new home instead of adding on to the existing one. Whilst the extensive renovations were undertaken, the Royal family lived in the large, Georgian style home — already there — in which Victoria immediately felt comfortable. Eventually, once ready, the family would move into the new, larger house, the foundation of which was broken on March 16th 1845. It was an exciting time. Long periods were spent in London and at Windsor Castle, but as soon as they could get away to the Isle of Wight they did. Here they could oversee the plans and watch the construction of their home. Not only was Albert fully aware of every detail of Osborne's progress, he was busily designing the landscape in his mind, and in his letters to family, rendering pictures for them in pen and ink of how the gardens might be laid out. Everything would have to be just right. The Queen would of course, need a bedroom and sitting room to overlook the magnificence of the blue Solvent, and he wanted to have the children close by as well, so that the environment would be family orientated and intimate. The close knit feeling they were striving for was unusual in comparison to what other royal families had done in the past. Victoria and Albert chose an Italianate style for their huge, new home, partly because the view reminded the Prince Consort of Italy. The main part of the house was called The Pavilion. A tower was added, as well as a clock, which was scrutinized by Albert.  Outside the Pavilion, a terrace was added which they would grow to love. Many hours were spent there walking amongst the vibrant, colorful plants and flowers, with the waters as a backdrop. Sometimes it was a place to simply relax and converse, and at night time Victoria had the luxury of taking a stroll all by herself, or with Albert, to look at the waters which were sometimes lit up by the moon.Inside the Pavilion was a massive staircase which traversed many floors, around which were linked many rooms. The guest rooms were situated on the ground floor, included amongst which were the expansive drawing and dining rooms. Pictures of the dining room show that it had light pink walls with splashes of gold and maroon throughout, with heavy mirrors and paintings on the wall. Gleaming, dark furniture was placed under the paintings and heavy drapes hung at the windows, allowing a view of the sea. Enormous, colorful paintings covered every wall of the rooms downstairs, and many statues of the Royal family were placed on stands in the hallways and landings of the house. The hallways in particular took on a classical feeling. Suites were prepared for the children and their nannies on the third floor. Each room seemed to have windows, almost from floor to ceiling. To protect the children, bars were put across the windows. Just below it on the second floor, for themselves, Victoria and Albert designed a bedroom, sitting rooms and dressings rooms. The Queen never tired of sitting near her French windows, simply enjoying the scenery or painting watercolor pictures and sketches of the views outside. Painting was a favorite past-time and the pictures she created were light, airy and done in pastel hues. The contents of the rooms were considered comfortable by royal standards, but they were far from opulent. Again, in their private quarters, Albert consumed the walls with his favorite large paintings and a Winterhalter portrait. One luxury they did allow themselves was a bathroom each, with as much hot water as they desired. The doorways had a unique combination of the letters V and A, intertwined, which adorned the tops. The furniture was all comfortable and picked out personally by Prince Albert. There was chintz on some of the furniture and also at the windows. Victoria loved Windsor Castle, but did note about Osborne “here and dear Windsor, like night and day". The Queen spent time working on her dispatch boxes and paperwork, while Albert would usually head outside to see about one of his many projects. Victoria was more than pleased that her husband was so happy, noting: "It does one's heart good to see how my beloved Albert enjoys it all, and is so full of all the plans and improvements he means to carry out. He is hardly to be kept at home for a moment." Yes, this was where they belonged. Victoria had no doubt about that. A wing for the household was also added to the new home. Osborne soon became an impressive building when seen from the sea, as the sailboats and steamships moved about on the Solvent. Sometimes, while watching the dark storm clouds roll in, the Queen could see her yacht, the Victoria and Albert. Her Majesty's carriage, when it arrived, could be pulled up snugly underneath the portico, which was attached to the Pavilion. The exterior of the house was covered in a stucco-like material, made to resemble stone. It was only a 4 hour journey from London to Osborne, making it a wonderful escape for the family and far away from the rigid and formal court life they were used to. Trips to Osborne caused much anticipation, especially for the Queen, who knew that soon she would be able to spend quiet time alone with her family, and most especially Albert. She loved having him all to herself. Once they left London, at least some of the burdens were lifted from her husband's shoulders and she knew he would relax and she could be herself. Time at Osborne allowed Victoria the intimacy she craved, a level of which her position normally didn't allow. Victoria confided: "Never do I enjoy myself more or more peacefully then when I can be so much with my beloved Albert...follow him everywhere." It was also during these early years that the Queen swam in the sea for the first time in her life. Heaven! Many years went into the planning and building of Osborne. Guests acknowledged the attention to details within the house and its uniqueness. Visitors were usually comfortable there. It wasn’t long before the family settled themselves into a routine. Their day usually started at around 7am. Albert got up first and headed to his dressing room where he began to work on his paperwork, focusing on correspondence, current projects or memorandums. Victoria, more relaxed, lounged in her soft, cozy bed for another hour or two. Much of the time she spent there she was pregnant. Sometimes, on warm days, they breakfasted on the terrace with some of the older children. As usual, after they ate, Victoria and Albert strolled through the grounds. Weather permitting, the Queen would sketch or, Albert by her side, spend time with their children. Sometimes they collected shells at the waters edge or explored the property. The royal children had a large Swiss Cottage, which served as a play house, all of the contents of which were in miniature, even the saucepans. As a treat, Albert would cook his children a surprise: a German meal! He also taught them to garden, each having their own area of land and paid for whatever vegetables they were able to grow. These were exciting times for the children, some of whom grew to have a lifelong love of the outdoors. Everywhere you looked within this royal home there was a token of love, a piece of a memory, a sprinkle of meaning and a creation remembered. Truly, the Queen thought, we are living in a dream. It was Victoria’s deepest hope and lifelong desire that the home stay in the family for generations...a place of beloved memories and comfort to her grandchildren and their children. Monarchs have wished for many things, but they do not always possess the power to make a dream come true. Queen Victoria's dream was that Osborne would withstand the torrents of time, going on forever. Sadly, this was one dream which was never destined to be. Comment on this article
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