The visit of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, in 1844, was eagerly awaited and much enjoyed by everyone in Stamford. She and Prince Albert stayed at Burghley House.
“Every body in Stamford has been in such a whirl of excitement since out beloved Queen came into town on Tuesday afternoon, that we find it no easy task to continue the narrative given in our second page, of her Majesty’s progress from London and arrival here. We left off at the departure of the Queen from the largest throng we ever saw in this town, on her turning into the lodges at the entrance to Burghley Park. When about 700 horsemen (chiefly tenants of the Marquis of Exeter) who followed the Royal carriage, had entered also, and it was possible for pedestrians to move, the Mayor and Council, with the several benefit societies of the town and their hands, and an immense phalanx of the inhabitants walking four abreast, returned to the Town-hall, where the cheers for the Queen were enthusiastically renewed, and three also being given for the Mayor, the assembly dispersed. Notwithstanding a committee had recommended that there should not be an illumination of the town, many houses were splendidly lighted up with devices in gas and coloured lamps, and the streets were crowded till midnight, although rain descended incessantly. the exhibition of flags and devices, with the ringing of the church bells, continued throughout Wednesday and esterday, and the illuminations at night were as numerous as on Tuesday. Dinner parties have taken place at the inns; and all has been joy and hilarity, with such a universa mind as you’d make it almost discreditably unsocial to be capable of coolly narrating what has occurred. We must defer some particulars till out next, especially as to the christening and magnificent doings at Burghley House. There was a brilliant display of fire-works on Wednesday evening, followed by a ball, for which Adam’s band from London was engaged: quartilles, waltzes, and the polka were principally indulged in, and in the former her Majesty and Prince Albert joined. – Yestrday happily proved a fine and bright day; and the amiable Queen of England availed herself of such weather to gratify the inhabitants of Stamford by ridingi in an open carriage through the principal streets of the town. This occurred between three and four o’clock in the afternoon. Her Majesty proceeded at a moderate pace, and acknowledged the cheering of her subjects with smiles, and all the indications of a happy and gratified disposition. the shops in the different parts of the town were closed about one o’clock, agreeably to notice given. Her Majesty took the route of St. Martin’s, St. Mary’s, and St John’s streets, up High-street, to the western entrance of the infirmary; then moved round by St. Leonard’s Priory, and returned in front of the Infirmary, through St. Paul’s-street and Ironmonger-street, Broad-street, and Red Lion-square, back to Burghley. In the carriage with the queen were Prince Albert, The Duchess of Bedford, and the Marquid of Exeter, and in other carriages Sir Robt. Pee, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Marchioness of Exeter, &c. In the early part of the morning Prince Albert enjoyed the sport of shooting, and the Queen planted a tree at Burghley. – It is arranged that the Royal Pair should leave the Marquis of Exeter’s at a quarter past nine o’;clock this morning (Friday), and return to London by exactly the same rounte as that which they took in coming to Stamford. The Mayor and corporation have been invited to meet her Majesty exactly at the time mentioned at the Nurghley Lodges, to take their leave.”
The Stamford Mercury, 15th November, 1844.