Queen Victoria laughs

princess garnet · Post by **princess garnet** » Sun September 11th, 2011, 7:57 pm

Queen Victoria did have a sense of humor as this post from a new blog "Lost in the Myths of History" shows.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sun September 11th, 2011, 9:09 pm

I think the dour perception we have of Queen Victoria is because she was one of the most photographed persons of her day, and at the time (which people toady often don't even realize) a 'daguerreotype' as they were called, took over two minutes. Nobody can maintain a realistic smile that long, so faces were composed into neutral expressions, which we now think of a solemn and joyless.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Sun September 11th, 2011, 11:35 pm

[quote=""MLE""]I think the dour perception we have of Queen Victoria is because she was one of the most photographed persons of her day, and at the time (which people toady often don't even realize) a 'daguerreotype' as they were called, took over two minutes. Nobody can maintain a realistic smile that long, so faces were composed into neutral expressions, which we now think of a solemn and joyless.[/quote]

Very true. The photo was taken on June 21, 1887 during the celebration of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The Queen was seated in an open landau going to or from Westminster Abbey when the photo was taken.

Incorrectly, Queen Victoria has gotten that dour perception. Victoria was quite temperamental and had a strong sexuality which Prince Albert apparently met, as evidenced by the birth of nine children. Albert was somewhat prudish and his high moral standards would never allow extramarital affairs. He found marriage to Victoria a full-time job which exhausted him physically and mentally.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Mon September 12th, 2011, 3:27 am

Besides, photos during the Victorian Era were suppose to be like portraits from days gone by. Serious. Stoic.

I think the queen gets her reputation from her serious expressions(though looking through my CDV collection so did every other woman) and the fact she wore black and was in mourning after husband died. Death doesnt exactly bring about joy. Or doesnt make people think happy thoughts.

We always tend to forget the young victoria. She is replaced by the old, frumpy ahem, fat woman in black with gray hair. Nothing romantic, or fun about that! Even I have to remind myself she was a young woman with passion and romance in her heart.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Mon September 12th, 2011, 4:00 am

The story about the deaf sailor is hilarious. I, too, would have had a hard time suppressing laughter!

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sun April 22nd, 2012, 2:35 pm

For those interested in Queen Victoria, a fascinating archive of her life and reign has just been put on line:

http://www.queen-victorias-scrapbook.org/

Historical Fiction Online

Queen Victoria laughs

Queen Victoria laughs

Queen Victoria Archives on line