The coronation of catastrophes: the disastrous crowning of Queen Victoria

Coronation Catastrophes, a Royal History Geeks podcast

In 1838, Britain was in the midst of a new dawn. Following the years of George III’s mental illness and the debauchery of his sons, a new, young Queen had come to the throne the previous year.

While other coronation ceremonies may have been beset with problems ahead of the event but were alright on the night, Victoria’s coronation didn’t live up to that adage.

There was much confusion about the form of service, she was made to wait around an interminable amount of time, an elderly peer was almost injured paying homage and the Queen left the abbey with a very painful finger.

In this episode, we look at the events of this tumultuous ceremony and, using the Queen’s own words, we explore some of the familial relations within the Royal Family itself at the time.