Celebrate Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday with a new Kensington Palace exhibition

Today marks the 200th birthday of Britain’s famous monarch and the subject of an acclaimed ITV drama, Queen Victoria.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, Victoria’s childhood home – Kensington Palace – has launched two major new exhibitions. Victoria: A Royal Childhood will exhibit some of Victoria’s most treasured momentos from her youth at Kensington Palace, including a poignant scrapbook belonging to the queen.

Victoria’s idyllic childhood is contrasted with her later teenage years, where strict rules isolated her from society – making her retreat into the escapism of writing, drawing and doll making.

Meanwhile Victoria: Woman and Crown uncovers the private persona behind the throne. Displaying some of the Queen’s rarer wardrobe survivals across the years, the exhibition explores the real Victoria’s relationships with her role as queen, Prince Albert and their children, and her love affair with India.

Through Victoria’s wardrobe from her early years, to the days towards the end of her reign, the exhibition explores the transformation of a teenager to one the most powerful individuals in the world.

Victoria’s 200th birthday also coincides with the release of ITV’s Victoria season three on DVD and Blu-ray, which is available now online and in stores across the UK.

The third series of the popular historical drama begins in 1848, during a period of political turmoil across Europe. Jenna Coleman returns to the role of Queen Victoria, now approaching 30 years old, as the Chartist movement reaches its peak in London and concerns for the young Queen’s security are on the rise.

Series three introduces Laurence Fox as Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, John Sessions as Prime Minister John Russell and Lily Travers as the Duchess of Monmouth. Meanwhile, Kate Fleetwood will appear as Victoria’s jealous half-sister Feodora.

Victoria Series Three is on Digital Download, Blu-ray and DVD now. Victoria Series One – Three is also available on Blu-ray and DVD.