👉Communicative area: reading and speaking about royal families
Royal weddings attract enormous public attention and are watched on TV and the Internet by millions of people all over the world in addition to the invited guests. The Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace and St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle were popular settings for such wedding ceremonies in the 19th century. Since 1919 most of them have been held in Westminster Abbey.
When we think of weddings, naturally the first colour that springs to mind is white. However, this was not always the case. The traditional white wedding came into vogue entirely because of one bride: Queen Victoria. Before her 1840 marriage to Prince Albert, it was common for brides to wear dresses of rich colours, which could be used again for other occasions. And while Victoria didn’t start the tradition, she definitely popularised the white wedding dress.
The couple first met at Victoria’s 17th birthday in April 1836. It is said that from the moment she met him, Victoria was greatly charmed by the German prince. However, she was determined not to rush into marriage. It wasn’t until two and a half years later that she made up her mind. By that time, she had already inherited the crown. Tradition dictated that no one could propose to a monarch, so Queen Victoria proposed to Prince Albert. Deciding against holding a private wedding ceremony, she invited more guests to observe it than ever before, which opened the door to more publicised royal weddings.
The union between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is known as one of the greatest love matches in British history. The couple’s diaries show how much they relied on each other practically, politically and emotionally. They had a family of nine children and for 21 years lived in close harmony, though of course they had their arguments and problems. They were also the first of the royals to occupy Buckingham Palace, turning it from a private home into a working royal residence.
Prince Albert changed the way the British celebrated Christmas. Until then, it used to be a dull affair characterised by going to church and singing Christmas hymns. Prince Albert introduced Christmas trees and decorations in the best German tradition. Soon, this novel way of celebrating 25 December was eagerly taken up by the British public. Since then, the Christmas tree has been decorated at Windsor Castle and in many homes all over the world.
Prince Albert died suddenly of typhoid at Windsor on 14 December 1861. Victoria was completely devastated. She would not show her face in public for three full years. Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years and adored Albert so much that she refused to wear anything but black to show her mourning for her husband, which she did for 40 years. The Royal Albert Hall in London was named in honour of Prince Albert, and his name is also affixed to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
- What is the text mainly about?
- Where were royal weddings usually held in the 19th century and where do they mostly take place now?
- When did Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first meet?
- Why did Queen Victoria have to propose to Prince Albert herself?
- How did Queen Victoria change the tradition of royal weddings?
- How did Prince Albert change the way Christmas is celebrated in Britain?
- Why did Queen Victoria refuse to wear anything but black for 40 years?
- Which famous London landmarks were named in honour of Prince Albert or the royal couple?
