Can you show Queen Victoria's signature?

Answer 1

Monarchs don't actually have a signature like you and I use to sign cheques or documents. Monarchs are recognized by what is called a 'cypher' which is a royal monogram of sorts. In Queen Victoria's reign all state documents, royal decrees and nearly everything within the realm backed or endorsed by the crown was 'at the Queens pleasure' thereby indicating it's legitimacy. In the instance of goods or services this was a mark of distinction and a assurance that it was of the highest quality in the realm. This is still in use today by the current Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The next time you by a fine soap or a nice box of biscuits you will likely see that it bears the inscription: 'Purveyors to HM Queen Elizabeth II' followed by the Queens royal cypher EIIR. And to hopefully answer your question Queen Victoria's cypher or (signature) would have looked like this: VRI, Victoria, Regina (Queen) and I Imperatrix (latin for Empress as Queen Victoria was Empress of India.) On a more personal note, Queen Victoria was a enthusiastic correspondent. She wrote daily and sometimes several times a day to her numerous children, grandchildren and royal relations scattered across the royal houses of the continent and in most cases she signed her letters simply, Granny.