Victoria_and

As a young woman Victoria married a German prince, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and they raised a large family. Although she outranked Albert, she treated him with the devotion a dutiful wife was expected to have for her husband. When he died in 1861, Victoria went into deep mourning and dressed in black for the rest of her reign. Prince Albert organized the Great Exhibition, held in the Crystal Palace in 1851.

Victoria and Albert: The Undying Love

My love for you is forever strong. You are still with me in my heart and I wait to visit you in heaven. You were the best thing that ever happened to me.

I remember when you visited me in 1836. I had told Lord Melbourne[1], “ My feeling is quite against ever marrying,” and then wrote to Leopold[2], “There is no engagement between us.”

Three days after, you arrived in London. I spoke of your “exquisite nose, delicate mustachios, and slight whiskers,” and, “the beauteous figure, broad shoulders, and a fine waist.” I then told Lord Melbourne that I had changed my mind about marriage. Within a week, we were engaged. The day of February 10,1840 was the best day of my life; it was the day we were married.

I cherish the day that Sir Robert Peel[3] invited you to make all of the arrangements for the Crystal Palace, [4]a triumph of our country’s technological advances. You dreamt up the most wonderful and gigantic display of machinery, inventions, and arts. Everyone said that it was true that you were born for this task. I was very proud of you. You spent much time and effort on this project and tended to its every need. You chose Joseph Paxton, a man I admire, to design the structure that would become the Crystal Palace. On May 8, 1851, your marvelous exhibit opened and I joined the millions of amazed visitors that came to this wonder almost everyday of the six months it was open. It was then that you proved yourself to me and I later said, “These were the best days of my life.”

We had nine beautiful children[5], whom we love very much. During my multiple pregnancies, you took care of my duties as ruler of England. The children respected you, and I did as well, for your efforts to keep me comfortable in every way.

I said that you should be king in name, but it was something on which Parliament and the English people didn’t agree. At first, they didn’t like you, my beloved husband, but in time, you gained a better appearance. I then talked to Parliament and they agreed to give you the title “Prince Consort.”

I will love you forever and you are always in my mind. You will always be my Albert.

[1] Victoria’s first Prime Minister

[2] Leopold was Victoria’s uncle and replaced her father in many ways. He left when Victoria was young to become King of Belgium.

[3]

Sir Robert Peel was the leader of the Conservative party and made Victoria worried he would try to run everything in Parliament. She eventually favored the Conservatives over the Whigs.

[4] The Crystal Palace was made of Iron and Glass. It stood 1,848ft long, 408ft across, and 66ft high. It included a million square feet of glass. It was built in London’s Hyde Par to house the exhibits.

[5] Victoria’s nine children were named Victoria Adelaide, Albert Edward, Alice Maud, Alfred Ernest, Helena Augusta, Louise Caroline, Arthur William, Leopold George, and Beatrice Mary.

A Lord's View of Prince Albert

Some people say that Victoria is tired from childbearing, and that Albert should become king. For Victoria herself said, “We women are not made for governing.” In their minds this is a true sign that Victoria should step down and that Albert should rule. I fear that the people, by the power of their views, might react violently, thus resulting in chaos and maybe destroy the monarchy! This would not only be the downfall of the queen and prince but the loss of the power of the lords and the majority of the upper class. I pray that things remain peaceful and that the monarchy will continue. I also pray that the prince and queen will live happily to the end of their days[i].