It is a little-known fact that Queen Victoria made a private and largely secret visit to Switzerland in 1868 - the first ever by a British reigning monarch and the only one until the 1980 state visit by Queen Elizabeth II.In this book, the author incorporates the hitherto unpublished journal written by Queen Victoria during her stay, on which she was accompanied by her daughters Louise and Beatrice and her son Leopold. Drawing on other contemporary sources, the author weaves a verbal and pictorial tapestry that portrays this vivid month in the Queen's life and puts it into its historical context.Enhancing the text are the Queen's and Princess Louise's own fascinating watercolours and sketches and many contemporary prints and engravings. Included too are facsimile reproductions of letters from the Queen and others, as well as further intriguing documents. Read Less