1842 painting of ‘The Young Queen Victoria’ by Franz Xavier Winterhalter (1806-1873).

Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and seven months, the longest ever for any British monarch. The Victorian period was marked with significant progress across many different aspects of English life. The movie, ‘The Young Victoria’, which is set for release in the U.K. on March 6, 2009, was based on Queen Victoria’s early reign, and her legendary marriage to and romance with her husband Prince Albert.

Photography was still in its infancy during the reign of Queen Victoria. We are lucky that, in addition to paintings and drawings, a few photographs have survived to give us an idea of the gowns that were in fashion in royal court at the time.

Commemorative photograph of the newly-weds Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, ca 1854 (unknown photographer)

‘The Marriage of Queen Victoria, 10 February 1840’, painting by Sir George Hayter, ca 1840-42 (Commissioned by Queen Victoria)

Mid-19th century gowns were replete with lace and ribbons. The voluminous skirts and elegant silhouettes were achieved through layers of heavy petticoats and underclothes, metal hoops and corsets. The gowns were accessorized with lavish collars, elegant gloves, hats and parasols.

The costumes in the movie, ‘The Young Victoria’, were designed by Academy Award winning Sandy Powell. Among the dresses worn by actress Emily Blunt, who plays the young queen, are a yellow silk taffeta gown and cornflower blue silk dress with antique lace around the neck and sleeves. You can get a peek at these beautiful gowns at the movie’s official site.

These costumes, and other items used in the movie, are on exhibit at Blenheim Palace and Belvoir Castle, which also served as sets during filming. The exhibit at Blenheim Palace opened last February 14, 2009 and will run until March 31 (exhibit information here). The exhibit at Belvoir Castle is from February 27 to March 8, 2009 and will include the bed that Queen Victoria used during a visit there (information here). Guides will be on hand at each location to provide information to visitors.

public domain images (copyright expired). sources: (top) Osborne House, Isle of Wight; (middle) unknown; (bottom) The Royal Collection

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The movie, scheduled for theatrical release in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2009, was shot on location at several historical sites. These sites include Arundel Castle, Belvoir Castle, Blenheim Palace, St. James’ Park, and Westminster Abbey.

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Are you in the mood for a romantic royal movie? There’s one coming up real soon, and it promises to be a something any royal-watcher would love to see!

‘The Young Victoria’, based on the story of Queen Victoria’s early reign and marriage to Prince Albert, is set for release in the U.K. on March 6, 2009. Though the marriage was arranged, their romance proved to be true and lasting. Their wedding day was on February 10, 1840, 169 years ago!

The movie stars Emily Blunt (the assistant who practically stole the shoe show on ‘The Devil Wears Prada’), Jim Broadbent, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson and Rupert Friend as Prince Albert. It was written by Julian Fellowes and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. Two members of the British Royal Family feature in this film: Sarah, Duchess of York is co-producer; and Princess Beatrice has a bit role as lady-in-waiting.

Below are some photos straight from the movie. I love that startling blue color on the dress:

images used with permission from Momentum Pictures.

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Prince William and Prince Harry at the Odeon for the Royal World Premiere of ‘Quantum of Solace’.

Prince William and Prince Harry, back in Britain from their 1000-mile bike ride across South Africa, cut dashing figures at the Royal World Premiere of the new Bond film, Quantum of Solace, on October 29, 2008. The premiere was held at The Odeon in London’s Leicester Square.

The royal brothers met with the cast and crew of the film, including its star Daniel Craig. Outside the theater, Prince William and Prince Harry talked with about 200 servicemen, war veterans and their families. The princes attended the event in support of two charities, the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

image via Newscom

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Emperor Akihito; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on October 28, 2008.

Prince Charles and Camilla arrived in Tokyo, Japan on October 27, 2008 to start off their tour of East Asia. They will also visit Brunei, after which Prince Charles will continue on to Indonesia, while The Duchess of Cornwall will return home. The Prince of Wales last visited Japan in 1990; the trip is the first official one for The Duchess of Cornwall.

The visit coincides with the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Japan. During this trip, Prince Charles will focus on promoting environmental sustainability, emerging technologies, education and heritage.

The British royals met with Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito upon their arrival. On their second day, they attended a private dinner with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Today, October 29, 200, Prince Charles and Camilla visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Todaiji Temple, one of the best-known Buddhist sites in Nara. They met with students in the Nara Traditional Craft Museum. Prince Charles also went to the Sharp Research and Development Centre to see how the company is using renewable energy. The Duchess of Cornwall met with children and staff from local Osaka schools involved in the British Council’s School Links project.

Tomorrow, October 30, Prince Charles, accompanied by Japan’s Princess Takamado, will visit Nagano’s Afan Forest to see how it is being managed sustainably to promote and protect bio-diversity. They will also visit a tea factory and meet with organic farmers. Tomorrow night, they will be the guests of honor at a dinner hosted by Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako at the Imperial Palace.

via The Prince of Wales website; image used with permission from newscom.

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Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, was in West Sussex last week to re-open the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge, which dates from 1781.

The old bridge was refurbished over six months, using £500,000 that local residents helped to raise. The last time traffic was allowed across the bridge was in 1968. It has mostly been used by workers on bicycles and on foot. After Prince Andrew officially opened the bridge, he walked across to Shoreham Port, where he then opened the port’s new headquarters.

Photos of the bridge re-opening here.

via M&C

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Queen Elizabeth signs the book of guests of honour while Prince Philip looks on at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, on October 23, 2008.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have wrapped up state visits to Slovenia and Slovakia this week. The visits were made at the invitations of Slovenian President Dr Danilo Tuerk and Slovakian President Mr. Ivan Gasparovic.

The royals arrived at Slovenia’s Ljubljana Airport on October 21, 2008. They were received by President and Mrs. Tuerk at the 16th-century Brdo Castle. A reception were given in their honor by the British Embassy to Slovenia, followed by a state banquet at the Brdo Castle in the evening. The Queen’s gown for the banquet was made from silver and gold brocade fabric given to her during a trip to the Middle East 20 years ago.

On the second day of their visit, the royals were gifted with a Lipizanner horse, which Queen Elizabeth was thrilled to receive. The horse, however, will remain in Slovenia.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip then flew to Slovakia for the state visit there on October 23-24, 2008. Their first day in the country was filled with a visit to Primacialny Square, a lunch at the Governor’s Palace hosted by the British Embassy, and meetings with veterans of the World War II. They also met with Sir Nicholas Winton, who helped hundreds of Jewish children escape from the Nazis to Britain from Czechoslovakia.

On the last day of their tour, The Queen conducted a ceremonial face-off to start a hockey game at the Ice Hockey Stadium in Poprad.

The state visits to Slovenia and Slovakia were The Queen’s first ever to the two countries, and the 87th and 88th state visits of her reign, respectively.

via Royal Insight; image used with permission from Newscom

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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie spent some quality time with their mom, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, over dinner at Cipriani this week. The mom-and-daughters trio was joined by Princess Beatrice’s boyfriend Dave Clark.

Beatrice left the London restaurant with Dave; Eugenie left hand-in-hand with her mom.

images via splashnewsonline.com

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Dickie also talks about the princes’ participation in Enduro Africa this week.

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