The Royals are known for their impressive property portfolio which spans across the country. From London's Buckingham Palace which stands proudly at the top of The Mall, to Balmoral Castle in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, The Firm has plenty of space to relax, enjoy holidays and entertain family and friends.
Many of these homes are in constant use, but some of them have been sold off and turned into something completely different, such as a museum or a restaurant. One of these homes, according to MyLondon, is Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
The Queen never actually stayed at Osborne House whilst it was a royal residence, as it was sold out of the family some time before she was born. Although Her Majesty may have never lived there, Osborne House is home to some of the most famous royal treasures, and has been visited by other royals and their famous friends.
Osborne House looks quite different to any of the Royal Family's other residences, as it was designed in an Italian Renaissance style by Thomas Cubitt. The property was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in East Cowes.
Prince Albert is said to have contributed to the style of the beautiful stately home, and is said to have loved to look out over the Solent because it reminded him of the Bay of Naples in the south of Italy. Queen Victoria also thorougly enjoyed staying at the Isle of Wight residence, and once said about the property: "It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot."
Osborne House became the go-to residence for big celebrations, with the Victorian Royal Family visiting the home a number of times throughout the year. They would stay at Osborne House for long periods of time around Victoria's birthday in May, in July and August to celebrate Prince Albert's birthday, and just before Christmas.
After sadly losing Prince Albert to typhoid fever in 1861, the mourning Queen Victoria would often pay a visit to Osborne House. Her trips down to the Isle of Wight became longer and more frequent, as it was one of her favourite residences.
It was at Osborne House that Queen Victoria passed away on January 22, 1901. Following her death, Queen Victoria's son and successor, King Edward VII, donated Osborne House as a national gift to the state on the date of his coronation, August 9, 1902, rebelling against his mother's strict instruction that the home must stay within the Royal Family.
The palatial home is no longer a seaside residence for the Royal Family, but a museum which is owned by English Heritage, meaning it can be visited by the public. Not only can you see some of the Royal Family's beloved treasures if you pay a visit to Osborne House, but you can also see the state rooms, family rooms, Queen Victoria's private beach, the incredible gardens and Swiss Cottage - the playhouse of Victoria and Albert's nine children.
Despite the Queen never living at Osborne House, several members of The Firm have been pictured visiting the former royal residence. In 2014, the Earl and Countess of Wessex took a trip to Osborne House, and marvelled at some of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's possessions.
Four years later, in 2018, the Duchess of Cornwall spent some time at Osborne House with Victoria and Abdul actress, Dame Judi Dench. The friends were photographed giggling as they enjoyed an ice cream on the residence's private beach.
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