Albert and Victoria

A selection of archival material reflecting Prince Albert’s (1819-61) relationship with Queen Victoria (1819-1901).

This collection covers the period from the couple’s first meeting, with correspondence exchanged after Prince Albert’s visit to Kensington Palace in 1836, until 1901, the year of Queen Victoria’s death, when she added notes to the reminiscences of her beloved husband. Included are volumes of correspondence between the two, recording the early development of their relationship and even the day of their engagement, as well as private Household appointments. Other material in the collection consists of correspondence sent from the couple to their uncle Leopold I of Belgium (1790-1865), Prince Albert’s correspondence relating to the death of his mother-in-law, the Duchess of Kent (1786-1861), and his files recording details of two assassination attempts on his wife.

Also included are records created by Queen Victoria after Prince Albert’s death. These consist of framed notes relating to his illness and death, along with a dried flower and leaf from his funeral wreath, a volume recording her account of his illness and death, plus a volume of her reminiscences of him.