Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were married on 10th February, 1840. This is a fascinating insight into their life at Buckingham palace.
‘The following important article of information appears in a daily journal: The Queen is an early riser, seldom being in bed later than half past seven, except on the mornings after her state balls, or on those few occasions when she honors the parties of the nobility with her presence. Her bell is rung about 8 o’clock for her “dressers,” and by nine her Majesty, her Royal Consort, and the household, are at breakfast. The time occupied at the meal is about half an hour, when her Majesty, if the weather permit, enoys the air in the pleasure garden attached to Buckingham palace. This garden covers a space of about forty acres. Here the Queen frequently remains an hour and is accompanied by the latter, etiquette prescribes that, except by invitation, the ladies and gentlemen in attendance should walk at a “respectful distance.” Upon her Majesty’s return to the palace she is attended by her secretary, when she affixes her signature to the various documents which acquire their validity by it. These comprise treasury and other warrants, the commissions of militaty officers, state papers, &co., and they are frequently so numerous that it has sometimes required more than two hours to get through the business. The Queen passes the time between one and three either in conversation, reading, painting or music. In these two accomplishments her Majesty is eminently proficient: her drawings are much admired, and her love for music is well known: she is excellent both as an instrumental and vocal performer. There are three grand pianofortes in the suite of three drawing-rooms usually inhabited, but that which is especailly her Majesty’s, and which is only touched by her fingers, is magnificent: it is rosewood, inlaid with gold and vignette pictures, and cost 1,500 guineas. Luncheon is served at three; after which the Queen receives the Cabinet Miniters, and other such persons as it is usual to honor with audiences. At five the royal cortége leaves the palace and proceeds through the park, &co., and generally returns about seven or quarter after. Dinner is generally served at a quarter before eight, except on opera nights, when it is a little earlier. The usual number of persons who dine at the royal table is about 30. The Queen never fails to be present, except upon the nights of a ball either at the palace or elsewhere: on those occasions her Majesty dines in her own suite of apartments. The Queen, who occupies the centre seat of the dinner-table remains from an hour and five minutes to an hour and a quarter: her rising is the signal for the ladies to move after her, and in a short time subsequently to this move, the gentlemen follow. During dinner-time the band of one of the regiments of guards generally attend: the musicians are placed in a situation above the ceiling of the apartment; they are separated from the royal party by large panes of ground glass, which mellow the sound, and prevent the musicians from seeing into the dining apartment. Tea and coffee are served immediately after dinner, in a small room leading from one of the drawing-rooms. The reminder of the evening is passed with music and conversation, in both of which the Queen and Prince Albert take a part, and about half past eleven her Majesty retires to her apartments, which are in the immediate vicinity of the drawing-rooms, and with which there is a communication by means of a door that is ordinarily concealed by a cabinet. This cabinet is on rollers, and it is, when her Majesty expresses a desire to retire, immediately rolled sufficiently far away to enable the door to be opened, and is replaced again as soon as she has quitted the apartment.’
The Stamford Mercury, 18th September, 1840.