In a letter published in The Times on July 14, Alistair Lexden described the closing stage of a large children’s party held in connection with Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.
Sir, The big children’s party held in Hyde Park as part of the celebrations of Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 (letter, July 10) ended with the release of a hot-air balloon on which the Queen’s name had been painted in gigantic letters. “Oh look”, one excited child exclaimed, “there’s the Queen going up to Heaven.” In fact she was seen again on Earth the following day when The Times reported her “feasting with over 7,000 children in the private grounds of the home park” at Windsor. Over 30,000 youngsters took part in these two events.
Lord Lexden
House of Lords