Sara Forbes Bonetta

Sara Forbes Bonetta in 1862

Sara Forbes Bonetta otherwise known as Sally Forbes Bonetta, (born Aina or Ina; c. 1843 – 15 August 1880), was ward and goddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Quotes

• Others would say ‘He is a good man & though you don’t care about him now, will soon learn to love him.’ That, I believe, I never could do. I know that the generality of people would say he is rich & your marrying him would at once make you independent, and I say ‘Am I to barter my peace of mind for money?’ No – never!
  • Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African Protégée, English Heritage.

Quotes about Sara

• Captain Forbes saved her (Sara) life, by asking for her as a present... She is 7 years old, sharp & intelligent, & speaks English. She was dressed as any other girl. When her bonnet was taken off, her little black woolly head & big earrings gave her the true negro type.
  • Queen Victoria as quoted in Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African Protégée, English Heritage.
• She (Sara) is a perfect genius; she now speaks English well, and has a great talent for music....She is far in advance of any white child of her age, in aptness of learning, and strength of mind and affection.
  • Forbes as quoted in Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African Protégée, English Heritage.
• Queen Victoria gave constant proofs of her kindly interest in her (Sara). At the Midsummer and Christmas seasons she often went either to Windsor or Osborne to stay in the family of one of the officers of Her Majesty’s Household, and was frequently sent for by the Queen to see her privately.
  • Annie Schoen as quoted in Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African Protégée, English Heritage.
• Queen Victoria always had a fascination for her black and colonial subjects at a time when such interest was rare among the white aristocracy. She readily took up the cause of a ‘Dahoman captive’, affectionately calling her Sally, and becoming a loyal friend and protector until she (Sara) was old enough to marry.
  • Helen Rappaport as quoted in Sarah Forbes Bonetta: the Captive African Princess Gifted to Queen Victoria.
• What I find interesting about Sarah is that she challenges our assumptions about the status of black women in Victorian Britain. To see Sarah return to Osborne, her godmother’s home, is very satisfying and I hope my portrait will mean more people discover her story.
  • Hannah Uzor as quoted in The Little-Known Story of Queen Victoria’s Black Goddaughter, Smithsonian Magazaine, October 8, 2020.
• Where do you start? Her (Sara) story is an extraordinary one. Through her life we can also see a number of interesting and quite uncomfortable things around colonial attitudes to her.
  • Anna Eavis as quoted in The Little-Known Story of Queen Victoria’s Black Goddaughter, Smithsonian Magazaine, October 8, 2020.
• There are a number of black figures from the past who have played significant roles at some of the historic sites in our care but their stories are not very well known. Starting with Sarah, our portraits project is one way we’re bringing these stories to life and sharing them with our visitors.
  • Anna Eavis as quoted in The Little-Known Story of Queen Victoria’s Black Goddaughter, Smithsonian Magazaine, October 8, 2020.