Memorial sculpture and architecture

Queen Victoria was present at very few public events in the years following Prince Albert’s death, and most of those were connected to the unveiling of memorial statues to Prince Albert, such as in Aberdeen in October 1863, and Coburg in August 1865. Shown below is an album of 18 photographs of Memorials to the Prince Consort. In Britain, sovereigns and their consorts were usually buried at Westminster Abbey or St George’s Chapel, Windsor. However, Queen Victoria, having probably discussed the matter with Prince Albert, followed the German tradition of building a private mausoleum at Frogmore. The Queen laid the foundation stone in March 1862 and the Mausoleum was consecrated in December 1862. Queen Victoria followed progress very closely, as proven by photographs albums that meticulously record the construction between April 1862 and March 1866. Additionally the Wolsey Chapel at St George’s Chapel was remodelled, with work completed in 1875 and the chapel renamed the Albert Memorial Chapel. An album of photographs by Jane and Margaret Davison provides a comprehensive record of its interiors