That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Queen Victoria made two visits to Jersey during her long reign.
Her Majesty's visit in September 1846 was the first state visit of a monarch to the Island. The visit lasted just three hours, and was a significant event for the people of the Island. The Queen landed at St Helier, drove through the town and out to Mont Orgueil Castle, before returning to the harbour and on to the Royal Yacht.
She also came to the Island for a more informal visit in 1859. On this second occasion she visited Victoria College, which had been built as a memorial of the earlier visit. Later in the day she was taken on a quiet drive through St Peter's Valley; passing through the northern parishes, she rejoined her Yacht at St Catherine's Bay.
During the August of 1846 the Queen had visited Guernsey. It was therefore expected that she might soon visit Jersey. Towards the end of August, the States started to make preparations in advance, so as to be ready. On the last Saturday in August there was a meeting to make more general arrangements to celebrate the awaited visit.
Plans were drawn up for a large welcome at the Harbour, in consultation with an architect to design the accommodation and using advice from the police relating to the safety of so many people. The Regiments of the Militia received orders to be ready to greet and guard the Queen. The signal guns were ready to fire their welcome, and bonfires and illuminations were prepared all around the bay of St Aubin. Boats were ordered to be ready to take the Island dignitaries out to meet the Royal Squadron, to welcome the Queen and to discover what Her Majesty wished to do in her visit.
In town and country, gardens and woods were raided to provide decorations to houses and streets, and huge arches were erected throughout town, under the direction of the architect. Carriages and horses were arranged for the Royal party, and decisions made about precedence and protocol (who should be presented to the Queen, by whom, and when and how).
By Monday 31st August it seemed as if the whole Island was at work, cleaning and decorating the parishes. Those who had been selected to be presented to the Queen had to decide what to wear. Indeed everyone wanted to look their best for this special occasion. Look-outs were posted around the coast, to provide the earliest indication possible of the arrival of the Royal visitors.
Eventually news reached the Island on the following Wednesday that Captain Goodridge had received orders to attend Her Majesty to pilot the Royal Squadron to Jersey, and that it was almost certain they would arrive off the Island that same evening.
The Queen had previously confirmed the appointment of Sir John Le Couteur as her Aide-de-Camp in Jersey. She had appointed a small number of personal ADCs; these were honorary appointments and included few duties. However, when the Queen visited Jersey, it was Sir John who was responsible for many of the arrangements, and who accompanied the Queen throughout her visit.
It was later on Wednesday afternoon when the Royal Yacht was sighted off Grosnez, with three smaller steamers. By the time that the steamer reached St Aubin's Bay, the Bailiff and the Queen's ADC were amongst a small group ready to be ferried out to the Royal Yacht by the harbour master.
Amongst various gifts presented to the Queen was the work of two Jersey artists.These showed pictures of the Queen's visit, much as a picture guide book might be made today. The two artists were Philip John Ouless (1817 - 1885) and John Le Capelain (1812 - 1848). Their books have been partly reproduced here.