Victoria and Albert chose to inspect Cherbourg after Napoleon III's coercive hints made the base more alarming. The royal party arrived by yacht alongside the British consul's known intelligence network and toured the docks, basins, forts, breakwater, railway, and surrounding high ground. Albert, Victoria, and their companions used sketching as a socially protected way to record the works during an official visit. Albert later admitted that the pleasure trip had supplied evidence for improving British coastal defenses, and the party inspected Alderney's new harbor on the return voyage. A visiting head of state and her entourage were diplomatically difficult to restrain. Victoria could not order ministers directly, but her firsthand assessment gave her powerful means to press them to act.
Notable Point · 27:28-30:55
Queen Victoria turns a Cherbourg visit into naval intelligence
Victoria and Albert used the courtesies of a royal visit to inspect Cherbourg, sketch its defenses, and press ministers to strengthen British harbors.