Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897.

I have just a few royal-related old photos in my collection that I really love because as far as I know, they are originals. This lovely set of 5 photographs are super as they are the Victorian era with lovely hand written notes on the back of some. I bought them almost 20 years ago from a little Antiques fair that was held in Emsworth, Hampshire and I just loved them as soon as I saw them. They are on very thin photo paper and were in the envelope on a seller’s table and hadn’t attracted any attention apparently, the lady had acquired them in an auction with other items and honestly didn’t think they were anything special. I thought very differently and was thrilled to own them. Very early additions to my collection.

I have shared them before way back in 2012, my scanner is a bit better now. The photos are not edited or enhanced.

As you can see on the small envelope they were in, it says they were taken from Ludgate Hill in 1897. I originally had 6 but passed on one to a chap a few years ago who had an interest in one of the shops featured and as you can see from the writing there were 3 ‘spoilt’ originally.

‘To be returned to W M Floss? Change Alley. I have never been sure of the surname, is it Floss, what do you think? It would be great to find out more about him or her.

According to Wikipedia: ‘Exchange Alley or Change Alley is a narrow alleyway connecting shops and coffeehouses in an old neighbourhood of the City of London.It served as a convenient shortcut from the Royal Exchange on Cornhill to the Post Office on Lombard Street and remains as one of a number of alleys linking the two streets. Shops once located in Exchange Alley included ship chandlers, makers of navigation instruments such as telescopes, and goldsmiths from Lombardy in Italy‘.

A few interesting facts about the Diamond Jubilee in 1897, taken from the TheDiamondJubilee.org website.

On 21 June 1897, Queen Victoria wrote in her diary: “The streets were beautifully decorated, also the balconies of the houses, with flowers, flags and draperies of every hue.”

A public holiday for the Diamond Jubilee was declared on Tuesday, 22 June. It was also a holiday in India and “at all Foreign Places where British subjects were resident”.

Queen Victoria left Buckingham Palace at 11.15am on the morning of Tuesday 22 June to proceed through London, “for the purpose of seeing Her People and of Receiving their Congratulations on having attained the Sixtieth Anniversary of Her Majesty’s Reign”.

Seventeen carriages carried guests in Queen Victoria’s procession to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Occupants included Queen Victoria’s family, Royal families from around the world, Military, Naval and Marine Aides-de-Camp to the Queen, and envoys and ambassadors.

The streets of London were illuminated on the night of 22 June and bonfires were lit simultaneously on hills all over the country.

During Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations she hosted and met hundreds of dignitaries, politicians, members of the armed forces from the UK and across the world.

On 16th July, Queen Victoria wrote a letter of thanks expressing her gratitude to her people for “the spontaneous and universal outburst of loyal attachment and real affection” which she had experienced during her Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen was also accompanied by the Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra) the wife of Edward VII.

Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein was Queen Victoria’s fifth child, married to Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein in 1866. She was born Princess Helena Augusta Victoria 1846-1923. The couple had 6 children, one still born and another died at 8 days old.

I do wonder if any of my ancestors were among the crowds on this day, were yours?

I’m looking forward to watching and enjoying all the pageantry and historical traditions of the coronation this weekend, history in the making. Have a lovely weekend everyone whatever you’re doing.

Till next time then…….