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Memorial works

Following Albert’s premature death, Victoria commissioned the creation of photographs and decorative objects that memorialised her beloved husband

GEORGE WASHINGTON WILSON (1823-93)

Prince Albert's Memorial Cairn, Balmoral Estate

c. 1864

Albumen carte-de-visite | 8.6 x 5.2 cm (image) | RCIN 2333850

Photograph of Prince Albert's memorial cairn constructed on top of Craig an Lurachain on the Balmoral Estate. Moorland dominates the foreground with the cairn, of triangular construction, standing in the background. On the left stands a ghillie who inspects the cairn's memorial tablet.

The Queen wrote of the cairn in her journal for the 21st August 1862 'At 11, I started off in the little pony chair, Bertie, (who had come over from birkhall) on foot, & the 2 girls on ponies, for Craig Lowrigan [sic], getting actually up to the very top. Here at the top is the foundation, 40 feet wide, for the cairn to be erected to the memory of my precious Albert, which will be seen all down the valley...the cairn is to be 35 feet high.' RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 21st August 1862
  • Creator(s)

    George Washington Wilson (1823-93) (photographer)

  • 8.6 x 5.2 cm (image)

  • The album and photographs belonged to Alfred Evans (1857-1948), who was a Dean Ringer at St George's Chapel, having been in the service of the Royal Family for 53 years, possibly starting 1896. Before that, he served on board HMS Bacchante when Prince Albert Victor and Prince George (later King George V) were on their World Tour. This album belonged to his daughter, Mary, who died in 1970, and was bequeathed to Mrs French who presented the album to the Royal Archives c. 1973.

  • Subject(s)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • Scotland
            • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
              • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]
                • Prince Albert's Cairn [Balmoral Estate]
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Engineering & Technology
        • Civil engineering
          • Earthworks
            • Cairns