Franklin Dean
Queen Victoria's wedding ring was a symbol of her passionate marriage to Prince Albert. The couple practised the marriage ceremony and the putting-on of the ring the night before their wedding. The ring was given to Queen Victoria by her half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, and featured a crowned double heart inscribed with the French words Unis a jamais (United forever). Prince Albert also gave Queen Victoria an 18-carat gold serpent engagement ring, which has become an iconic piece of jewellery in British history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of wedding | 10 February 1840 |
| Giver of the ring | Prince Albert |
| Designer of the ring | Prince Albert |
| Material of the ring | 18-carat gold |
| Motif of the ring | Serpent |
| Significance of the motif | Unbroken love, rebirth, protection, healing, and eternal love and fidelity |
| Gemstones on the serpent's head | Emerald, ruby, and diamond |
| Gemstones on the serpent's crown | Diamonds |
| Worn by Queen Victoria | Until her death |
| Buried with the ring | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Queen Victoria's wedding ring was a gift from her half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
- The ring featured a crowned double heart and was inscribed in French with 'Unis a Jamais' (United Forever)
- Prince Albert placed the ring on Queen Victoria's finger at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London
- Queen Victoria was buried wearing her wedding ring, as per her private instructions
- The ring symbolised the passionate marriage between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Queen Victoria's wedding ring was a gift from her half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
The wedding ring was placed on Queen Victoria's finger by her husband, Prince Albert, on the morning of 10 February 1840, at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. The night before the wedding, the couple practised the marriage ceremony and the putting-on of the ring. In her journal, Queen Victoria wrote about how happy she felt when the ring was put on her finger by Prince Albert.
The wedding ring was a symbol of the passionate marriage between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. After Prince Albert's death in 1861, Queen Victoria remained in mourning for the rest of her life, often wearing black silk outfits adorned with decorative black beads and trims. She also distributed mourning jewellery, including lockets with photo miniatures and hair remembrances, to her relatives and friends.
Queen Victoria was a fashion trendsetter, and the jewellery she wore was often copied by women. She was particularly fond of sapphires, and Prince Albert regularly bought them for her. In addition to her wedding ring, Queen Victoria wore a simple wreath of orange blossoms on her head during her wedding, which became the iconic bridal headdress. She also wore a "Turkish" diamond necklace and matching earrings, a sapphire and diamond brooch from Albert, and the Order of the Garter.
Queen Victoria's engagement ring, given to her by Prince Albert in 1839, was also distinctive. It was an 18-carat gold serpent ring with rubies for the eyes, diamonds for the mouth, and a large emerald at the centre. The serpent's tail was in its mouth, forming an unbroken circle symbolising their everlasting love.
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The ring featured a crowned double heart and was inscribed in French with 'Unis a Jamais' (United Forever)
Queen Victoria's wedding ring, a symbol of her passionate marriage to Prince Albert, was placed on her finger on 10 February 1840. The ring, a gift from her half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, featured a crowned double heart and was inscribed in French with "Unis a Jamais" ("United Forever").
The Queen's attachment to her wedding ring was evident in her private instructions, which ensured that she would wear it in perpetuity. Indeed, she was buried wearing the ring, in accordance with her wishes.
Queen Victoria's hands became well-known during her later reign for adorning a collection of rings. She associated rings with marriage, as evidenced by her gift of a ring to her granddaughter, Princess Alix of Hesse, on her wedding to Tsar Nicholas II.
Queen Victoria was a trendsetter in the realm of jewellery and fashion. Her engagement ring from Prince Albert, an 18-carat gold serpent ring adorned with rubies, diamonds, and a central emerald, became iconic in British history. The snake motif symbolised eternal love and was reflective of the Romantic period of their relationship. The couple's love story and Victoria's reputation for setting trends influenced jewellery design and fashion during their time.
The era also saw an increased demand for jewellery, with many young women aspiring to own diamond engagement rings, though they remained a luxury for the aristocratic ruling class.
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Prince Albert placed the ring on Queen Victoria's finger at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London
On the morning of 10 February 1840, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert joined hands at the altar of the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London. Prince Albert placed a wedding ring on Queen Victoria's finger, symbolising their passionate marriage. The couple had practised the ceremony and the putting-on of the ring the previous evening, reading through the marriage service together.
Queen Victoria's wedding ring was of great personal significance to her. She instructed that she should wear it forever, and when her body was prepared for burial, she was laid to rest with the ring on her finger. The wedding ring was given to Queen Victoria by her half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. It featured a crowned double heart inscribed with 'Unis à jamais' (French for 'United forever').
The wedding ceremony at St James's Palace was immortalised in a painting by Sir George Hayter, capturing the moment of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's union at the altar. The day before the wedding, Queen Victoria received a prayer book from her mother, the Duchess of Kent, which was bound in dark green velvet with a bookmark of semi-precious stones. The first letters of the stones spelled out 'VICTORIA'—Vermeil, Jargoon, Chrysolite, Turquoise, Opal, Ruby, Jargoon, and Amethyst. The gold fastening of the prayer book featured two clasped hands, symbolising the joining of hands at the royal wedding.
The engagement ring that Prince Albert gave to Queen Victoria was also highly distinctive. The ring, which Queen Victoria wore when she was buried, featured a serpent motif with an emerald, ruby, and diamond-accented head, eyes, and crown. The serpent's tail was in its mouth, forming an unbroken circle symbolising their everlasting love. The engagement ring is considered an iconic piece of jewellery in British history, reflecting the couple's great romance and influencing fashion and jewellery design.
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Queen Victoria was buried wearing her wedding ring, as per her private instructions
Queen Victoria was a fashion icon, and her wedding to Prince Albert was a momentous occasion. The wedding ring placed on her finger by Prince Albert on 10 February 1840 was a symbol of their passionate marriage. The ring, with a crowned double heart and the French inscription "Unis à jamais" ("United forever"), was a gift from her beloved half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
The wedding ceremony, which took place at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, London, was a significant event for Queen Victoria, as she noted in her journal. The night before the wedding, she and Prince Albert practised the ceremony, including the putting-on of the ring. On her wedding day, she wore a simple wreath of orange blossoms on her head, which became the iconic bridal headdress. Her bridal jewellery included an elaborate "Turkish" diamond necklace and matching earrings, a sapphire and diamond brooch from Albert, and the Order of the Garter.
Queen Victoria treasured jewellery with symbolic significance. She received an 18-carat gold serpent engagement ring from Prince Albert, adorned with rubies, diamonds, and a central emerald, symbolising Victoria. This ring became an iconic piece of jewellery in British history, known for its beauty and symbolism of their great romance. The snake motif represented eternal love and fidelity, with the serpent's tail in its mouth forming an unbroken circle.
When Queen Victoria's body was prepared for burial, her private instructions were followed, and her wedding ring was placed on her finger, per her wishes. This act symbolised her desire to keep the ring with her forever, reflecting the enduring love and passion she shared with Prince Albert.
Queen Victoria's attachment to her wedding ring and her decision to be buried with it showcase the profound emotional significance she attributed to jewellery, especially those pieces that reminded her of her beloved husband, Prince Albert.
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The ring symbolised the passionate marriage between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Queen Victoria's wedding ring symbolised the passionate marriage she shared with her husband, Prince Albert. The couple were married on 10 February 1840, and the ring was placed on her finger by Prince Albert himself. The Queen noted in her journal that she felt "so happy" when the ring was put on by Albert.
The wedding ring was a beautiful piece of jewellery that represented the enduring love and devotion between Victoria and Albert. It is described as having a crowned double heart design and was inscribed in French with the words "Unis a jamais", which translates to "United forever". This inscription captures the essence of their union and the depth of their commitment to one another.
The ring held immense personal significance for Queen Victoria. She cherished it as a symbol of her marriage and wore it throughout her life, even requesting that it be placed on her finger when she was laid to rest. The ring became a physical embodiment of her enduring love for Prince Albert, reflecting the passionate and devoted nature of their relationship.
Queen Victoria's attachment to her wedding ring extended beyond its symbolic value. It also represented her association with marriage and commitment. She gifted a ring to her granddaughter, Princess Alix of Hesse, on her marriage to Tsar Nicholas II, understanding the importance of such a gesture. Victoria's own wedding ring, therefore, held a place of honour among her possessions, reflecting her beliefs about matrimony.
The ring also reflected the fashion-conscious nature of Queen Victoria, who was known for setting trends in jewellery and dress. Her choice of jewellery often carried symbolic significance, and her wedding ring was no exception. The design of a crowned double heart, with its French inscription, not only spoke to the romantic nature of their relationship but also to the cultural influences of the time.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding ring was a gift from her half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. It featured a crowned double heart and was inscribed in French with 'Unis a Jamais', which means 'United Forever'.
Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria an 18-carat gold serpent engagement ring. The snake's tail was in its mouth, forming an unbroken circle, symbolising their everlasting love. The snake's head was adorned with rubies for eyes, a diamond for its mouth, and a large emerald at its crown.
The engagement ring was designed by Prince Albert himself. The snake motif was chosen because, in Roman times, a continuous and looping snake was seen as a symbol of eternal or everlasting love. Snakes were also often associated with protection and healing.
Yes, Queen Victoria wore her wedding ring throughout her life and even ensured it was placed on her finger when she was buried.
Queen Victoria wore a simple wreath of orange blossoms on her head, which became the iconic bridal headdress. She also wore a "Turkish" diamond necklace and matching earrings, a sapphire and diamond brooch from Albert, and the Order of the Garter.
