DISPLAY CASE

The Royal Celebrations 1838-1897

This is the table of events for Newbury’s celebration of Queen Victoria’s coronation on 28 June 1838. Victoria’s coronation ceremony has always been recorded as a slightly shambolic affair. The Archbishop of Canterbury managed to force Victoria’s coronation ring onto the wrong finger, and the Queen spent most of the ceremony in agonising pain. The Archbishop also spent time looking for the orb to give to the new Queen, despite the fact that he had already passed it to her. Finally, during the homage the ninety year-old Lord Rolle lost his footing and took his very own roll down the steps of the throne. The Queen took pity and got up to meet him before he attempted another ascent.

Speenhamland Coronation Dinner

Reference: N/D8/17/5

This is a list of subscribers and expenses for the celebratory dinner held at Speenhamland, Newbury, on the day of Victoria’s coronation. Food was provided for around 350 working families. All the funds for the food were provided by those who were wealthy enough to own their own property.

This type of event was typical of the way that towns and villages celebrated the coronation of the new Queen.

Programme of Jubilee activities in Reading

Reference: D/EX1248/2

Reading’s celebrations of the last Golden Jubilee lasted for a week, and included a fete, procession, agricultural show and a concert at the new Town Hall. There were also sports at Reading Cricket Club, fireworks, boat races along the Kennet and the unveiling of the statue of Queen Victoria in Friar Street, which still stands today.

Diamond Jubilee Programme Cover, Windsor

Reference: WI/D15/1

The Queen was in Windsor for most of its own week of celebrations for her Diamond Jubilee. Highlights included a Venetian fete and carnival on the Thames, a tattoo at Windsor Castle and a military tournament in Home Park.

Preliminary Programme of Diamond Jubilee festivities at Windsor

Reference: WI/D15/2

This shows the cover of the preliminary programme of Diamond Jubilee festivities at Windsor. Subscribers who contributed £1 or more would gain exclusive entrance to certain enclosures during the events.

Windsor Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Cover

Reference: WI/D15/3 cover

This was the front cover of the Diamond Jubilee souvenir for the Windsor festivities.

Photograph of Diamond Jubilee Arch in Windsor

Reference: WI/D15/3

This photograph is taken from the Diamond Jubilee souvenir of the celebrations at Windsor. It shows a temporary, ornamental arch that was erected for the Queen to see on her route from the train station to the Castle.