Travel back in time at Kensington Palace and experience what Christmas was like for Princess Victoria before she became Queen.
The palace has undergone a makeover to recreate the magical atmosphere of a Regency Christmas - a world of flickering candles, theatrical festivities and cosy Yuletide traditions, complete with the background sound of period music.
Photo: James Linsell-Clark/Historic Royal PalaceThe intricately designed installations have all been built using the same materials and colours of the pre-industrial era.
You'll discover that the roots of many of today's favourite traditions were influenced by Victoria's German heritage and can be traced right back to palace in the 1830s - like fir trees hung with 'sugar ornaments', handmade paper decorations, and placing presents around the base of the tree.
Photo: hrp.org.ukDiary excerpts will offer personal insights into the rules of Royal gift-giving, like how they were exchanged on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day. And special displays will describe the childhood events that fired the imagination of our future Queen - like a pop-up theatre in the Stone Hall that was inspired by her festive trips to an Opera House. You'll even be able to take a seat in her opera box for a special selfie!
