For today’s feature on Royal Fashion, we’ll take a look at some of the gowns worn by England’s Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901).

1842 painting of ‘The Young Queen Victoria’ by Franz Xavier Winterhalter (1806-1873).

Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and seven months, the longest ever for any British monarch. The Victorian period was marked with significant progress across many different aspects of English life. The movie, ‘The Young Victoria’, which is set for release in the U.K. on March 6, 2009, was based on Queen Victoria’s early reign, and her legendary marriage to and romance with her husband Prince Albert.

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To whet your appetite and get ready to watch ‘The Young Victoria’, visit the official site and watch the trailer below.

The movie, scheduled for theatrical release in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2009, was shot on location at several historical sites. These sites include Arundel Castle, Belvoir Castle, Blenheim Palace, St. James’ Park, and Westminster Abbey.

Are you in the mood for a romantic royal movie? There’s one coming up real soon, and it promises to be a something any royal-watcher would love to see!

‘The Young Victoria’, based on the story of Queen Victoria’s early reign and marriage to Prince Albert, is set for release in the U.K. on March 6, 2009. Though the marriage was arranged, their romance proved to be true and lasting. Their wedding day was on February 10, 1840, 169 years ago!

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Here’s a very special video of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth presenting the Imperial State Crown sometime in the 1970s. The Queen describes the Crown in detail, telling the stories behind its main jewels, including the Cullinan Diamond. She also makes reference to family anecdotes around the Crown.

Prince William and Prince Harry at the Odeon for the Royal World Premiere of ‘Quantum of Solace’.

Prince William and Prince Harry, back in Britain from their 1000-mile bike ride across South Africa, cut dashing figures at the Royal World Premiere of the new Bond film, Quantum of Solace, on October 29, 2008. The premiere was held at The Odeon in London’s Leicester Square.

The royal brothers met with the cast and crew of the film, including its star Daniel Craig. Outside the theater, Prince William and Prince Harry talked with about 200 servicemen, war veterans and their families. The princes attended the event in support of two charities, the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

image via Newscom

Emperor Akihito; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on October 28, 2008.

Prince Charles and Camilla arrived in Tokyo, Japan on October 27, 2008 to start off their tour of East Asia. They will also visit Brunei, after which Prince Charles will continue on to Indonesia, while The Duchess of Cornwall will return home. The Prince of Wales last visited Japan in 1990; the trip is the first official one for The Duchess of Cornwall.

The visit coincides with the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Japan. During this trip, Prince Charles will focus on promoting environmental sustainability, emerging technologies, education and heritage.

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Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, was in West Sussex last week to re-open the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge, which dates from 1781.

The old bridge was refurbished over six months, using £500,000 that local residents helped to raise. The last time traffic was allowed across the bridge was in 1968. It has mostly been used by workers on bicycles and on foot. After Prince Andrew officially opened the bridge, he walked across to Shoreham Port, where he then opened the port’s new headquarters.

Photos of the bridge re-opening here.

via M&C

Queen Elizabeth signs the book of guests of honour while Prince Philip looks on at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, on October 23, 2008.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have wrapped up state visits to Slovenia and Slovakia this week. The visits were made at the invitations of Slovenian President Dr Danilo Tuerk and Slovakian President Mr. Ivan Gasparovic.

The royals arrived at Slovenia’s Ljubljana Airport on October 21, 2008. They were received by President and Mrs. Tuerk at the 16th-century Brdo Castle. A reception were given in their honor by the British Embassy to Slovenia, followed by a state banquet at the Brdo Castle in the evening. The Queen’s gown for the banquet was made from silver and gold brocade fabric given to her during a trip to the Middle East 20 years ago.

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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie spent some quality time with their mom, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, over dinner at Cipriani this week. The mom-and-daughters trio was joined by Princess Beatrice’s boyfriend Dave Clark.

Beatrice left the London restaurant with Dave; Eugenie left hand-in-hand with her mom.

images via splashnewsonline.com

Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth, talks about the romances of Prince William and Prince Harry. Dickie says that age is what’s holding Prince William and Kate Middleton back from the wedding aisle. He also says that, at this point in their relationships, it would be very difficult for either of the princes to dump Kate and Chelsy Davy (Prince Harry’s girlfriend).

Dickie also talks about the princes’ participation in Enduro Africa this week.