Altogether now: awwwwwwwwww. Yes, well this is Helena and Louise in 1854, well wrapped-up by the looks of things and they would be if it was from the Anniversary sequence, as V&A (yay!) were married on the 10th February, which really isn't the weather for summer dresses. Anyway, this is an extremely sweet photo, but I do wonder what on earth that fluffy thing in the top left hand corner is. A hat? A cat? A bat? I don't know, but I do know that I like the random plinth, which I sincerely hope is on wheels. Anyway, onto another pose with these two.
In fancy dress. :) Helena is apparently dressed as Clermont and Louise is Louison. Didn't help me understand, but if you know what they were going on about, please let me know. I have to say that I do rather like Louise's fingerless gloves, not to mention the somewhat amazing ringlets. As for Helena, if you ignore the grumpy expression that she's dressed as a boy, I want that stick/curtain pole and that is one groovy wig. This is 1854 too by the way, as is the following pic.
Another sisterly pairing, this time of Vicky and Alice in their riding garb. I must say that I do rather like Vicky's hat with the veil and her fabulous gloves, but she certainly looks the dominant sister here. I do like these two and it's a pity that they had such sad lives in the end. Again, staying in 1854, we'll move on to one with a boy in (quelle horreur!)
Nice photo, eh? Well this is Vicky and Arthur in the "Four Seasons Tableau" that the children put on to celebrate their parents' wedding anniversary. Sweet, non? Well Vicky was Summer, from what I can recall and I really like her sandals. There's a little story about Arthur and the Tableau actually: when he came onstage QV was so horrified at his short tunic that she made him go off and put something else on, despite being reassured that he was wearing "flesh coloured decencies". According to a Lady (possibly Lyttleton...) he came back in exactly the same thing, but with a pair of socks on that barely covered his ankles. He looks like he's clutching a bottle of beer in this one, but I think it's a goblet. Anyway, off to 1859.
Arthur and Leo! Yay! Now we've all seen the photos of V&A (yay!) at Osborne in 1859, but I had no idea that the children were photographed as well and there's a little trio of pics I'd like to share, this being the first. Say what you will about V&A (yay!) but you have to admit that that had a terrific taste in socks. Notice that the shrubbery from ages ago is still trying to butt in, but the chair is happily repelling it. Let's carry on in this series, shall we?
And now Beatrice can finally join in the photography madness, hoorah!! Here she is in 1859 with her brother Affie, who seems to be examining the contents of her ear, but no matter. I love that chair, sorry, but I really do. Oh yes, and am I the only one who thinks that Beatrice is wearing high heels? I can't think of any other explanation for it, but V&A (yay!) really don't seem the type to put high heels on a two year old. With that thought in mind, let's carry on to the last one.
A lone one of Alice this time wearing an absolutely LOVELY shawl, not to mention dress and hat. This looks suspiciously like the bit of Osborne where the mass family photos were taken with baby Beatrice in 1857 - I recognise the statue and that plant pot think built into the wall. I like this photo, as Alice is wearing exactly the same expression that I use when someone tries to take a photo of me when I'm in the middle of reading a book (e.g- "What?! Leave me alone, I'm READING!!") Let's pop forward a year to 1860 now.
Now here we have a merry gathering at Buck Pal in 1860 to welcome Affie home from the Navy. From left to right we have: Louise, Helena (crouching down), Beatrice, Affie, Alice and QV herself (I spent a while thinking - who's that on the end? Is it Vicky? Naah, she's in Berlin. Alice? No...er...oh my goodness, she's not a child. Whoops...) I think this must be in the winter, as everyone looks pretty wrapped up -ooh, quick diversion: j'adore the Queen's dress don't you? That ENORMOUS stripe of destiny, not to mention the coat. Anyway, let's get on w'it.
Everybody cheer: it's Bertie. Yaaaaay!! In a room with really high walls...ah well, this is Bertie and his terrier of indeterminable breed, which looks as fed up as I'd be if someone was tugging at my ears. I like this photo (I may as well just copy and paste that statement from now on) especially the top hat, cane, chair and that old faithful: the random plinth. I think he looks a lot like his son, George (pre-beard) in this photo. Anyway, let's return to his mother shall we? Ooooh, this is about 1864 by the way. :)
I know it's not a photo of children, but I'd never seen it before and wanted to share (because I'm nice like that.) I reckon this is about 1865 or 6, but I'm not really sure. She does look a lot younger than most photos in the mid-60s, but the fact that she's wearing less-intense mourning than the early 60s makes it a wee bit tricky. This could (and I repeat, COULD) be a photo just before her opening of parliament in 1866, but again, I dunno m'lud. Still, it's a nice picture ain't it guv? Anyway, on to actual children.
Well here we be in 1867 and with a coach. Hm, interesting, as you can actually see people's faces, unlike in most carriage shots. Left to Right: Louise, Beatrice, QV, random coachman and quite possibly THE John Brown *gasp*. Yeah, well, by this time, all the other girls had married (Vicky to Fritz; Alice to Louis, who always ends up looking so evil in photos; and Helena to Christian, who was just fabe. End of, sorry) so there's only Louise, Arthur, Leo and Beatrice left (I say "only", but you know what I mean.) Well I can't really think about anything else to say except the hats. I don't think 1867 was a great year for headgear, that's all I'm saying.
Zooooooom and we're suddenly in 1889 for Princess Louise of Wales' wedding to the Duke of Fife (or "Macduff" as he was known.) I've just started reading about these two and I quite like them. I think I'll have to do a grandchildren post one day. Anyway, this photo, er... L to R: Alix of Wales, Louis of Hesse, the Munshi (probably), Beatrice, Liko, Bertie. Seated next to Alix is QV and the girls standing in front of her are Toria and Maud of Wales. I'm pretty sure as well that the fuzzy lady behind Louis is Louise of Connaught, but it's a bit hard to tell.
Well that sums up this post, but I'll be back (eventually) with more, so have a nice day, wherever you are, and mind that albatross...no...that one...oh well, it should heal in time...bye then. :)
