Queen Victoria’s former house will host a pop concert for the first time.


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UK acts Girls Aloud and Paul Weller will headline a two-day event at Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight, in July.

Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert bought Osborne House in 1845 after the queen fell in love with the Isle of Wight while spending time there as a child.

The couple used it as a refuge to escape the pressures of royal life. Dean Pascall – head of visitor operations for English Heritage, who now own the former royal residence – has revealed they are delighted to be holding the music event.

He is quoted by the Daily Telegraph newspaper as: “Staging concerts in the grounds of important historic sites like Osborne House is a very immediate was of engaging people with their heritage as well as attracting a diverse audience.

“We hope they go away with lasting memories of a fantastic evening’s music made even more special by the superb backdrop.”

After Albert died in 1861, Victoria spent most of her time at the property – which is set in 1,000 acres of gardens – and died there in 1901.

Pascall also said further acts will be announced soon.