Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Question: The Christening of Victoria, The Princess Royal Painting

My grandfather has a beautiful painting of Queen' Victoria's christening (1841) and born in 1840. I am trying to find a list of people who attended the event so I can pin point who is in the painting.
Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2016

The painting that your grandfather has is a reproduction of a work called The Christening of Victoria, The Princess Royal by Charles Robert Leslie. The original, an oil on canvas measuring 129.5 x 182.9 cm, is in The Royal Collection.

The Princess, who was born on November 21, 1840, was christened on her parent's first wedding anniversary, February 10, 1841. The christening robe that she wears is made from Honiton lace and white satin and was worn by all royal babies until 2008, when it was retired due to its age and fragile state. The baptismal lily font was commissioned by Queen Victoria. Made of Silver gilt, and measuring by height 43 cm; and diameter 43 cm, it is one of only two silver English fonts. The font is in the shape of a water lily, supporting a large shell. Inside the rim of the small shell were water lilies floating around the edge and water was specially brought from the River Jordan. The lilies were considered to represent purity and water lilies were associated with new life. This font has been used at all royal christenings since 1841.

Princess Victoria was christened in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace by William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury. Her godparents were Leopold, King of the Belgians, Ernst I (her paternal grandfather), he was not present during the event and the Duke of Wellington stood proxy. The other godparents were Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex (her great-uncle), Dowager Queen Adelaide, widow of King William IV, the Duchess of Gloucester (her great-aunt), and the Duchess of Kent (her grandmother).

The painting commemorating the event depicts, The Dowager Queen Adelaide on the left of the font, who named the child Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa. Others in the painting include the Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent, King Leopold I of the Belgians, and the Duke of Sussex (all in the group on the left). Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are on the right of the font.
© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday September 19, 2010 - The Life and times of Prince Andrew, Duke of York

On this episode, a look back at the life and times of Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Listen to the episode here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 187 20 September 2010

Toronto Star July 29, 1981

Hamilton Spectator July 30, 1981

From My Royal Collection

H. R. H. Prince Andrew by Anwar Hussein

Website Mentioned

The Duke of York - The UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment

Resources used to research this episode

The Official Site of the British Monarchy

Prince Andrew by Nicholas Courtney

Royal Heritage Series: The Story Of Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew and Prince Edward by Lornie Leete-Hodge

The Queen's Children by Donald Edgar

Little Princes: From Cradle to Crown by Sue Arnold



Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday September 26, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: The wit, the wisdom, a look back at the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Friday, September 10, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday September 12, 2010 - Prince William and Kate Middleton rumors - Fact or fiction?

Recently there has been a lot of news surrounding when Prince William and Kate Middleton will get married. Followed by reported 'denials'.

Are these rumors fact or fiction?

Listen to the episode to find out

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 186 13 September 2010

Films discussed

Toronto International Film Festival - 2010 Films - King's Speech

CBC - The Queen in 3D

From My Royal Collection

Debrett's Book of Royal Children by Charles Kidd & Patrick Montague-Smith

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday September 19, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Royal Focus: Prince Andrew, The Duke of York

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Win a copy of Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine

The Sunday September 5th, 2010 episode of The Royal Report featured an interview with Jerramy Fine, author of the book Someday My Prince Will Come, the True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess.

Listen to the episode to find out how you can win a copy of her book.

The Royal Report for Sunday September 5th, 2010 - An Interview With Jerramy Fine

© Marilyn Braun 2010