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Prince Albert's Personal Papers

Papers relating to Prince Albert’s personal life and enthusiasms

Prince Albert’s Personal Papers consist of archival material relating to his personal life and enthusiasms.

Included in this collection are records relating to Prince Albert’s (1819-61) early life in Coburg, such as his Exercise Books recording his private tuition as a child and teenager, his passport and German Hunting Register. Later material includes Engagement Diaries, Calendars and Visitor Books. The collection also reflects some of his personal interests and includes copies of his own musical compositions, his file on the purchase and development of Osborne on the Isle of Wight, and papers relating to his reform of the Royal Library.

Two distinct sub-collections are also included that relate to his study, collecting and curating of works of art. The first is the correspondence relating to the development of his study collection of prints and photographs of works after Raphael held in the Print Room at Windsor Castle. The second is a selected collection of letters, accounts and bills relating to Prince Albert’s collecting of photographs and engagement with photography.

Collecting Photographs

Correspondence relating to Albert and Victoria's passion for photography

Collecting Raphael

Correspondence relating to the assembling of the Raphael Collection, held in the Print Room at Windsor

Letter registers

Letter registers of Prince Albert

Personal Records

Selection of Prince Albert’s personal records

Agricultural improvement

Prince Albert’s papers relating to agricultural improvement

Purchase of Osborne

Prince Albert’s papers relating to the purchase of Osbourne Estate, Isle of Wight

Hunting

Prince Albert's papers relating to hunting

Personal correspondence

Prince Albert’s personal correspondence

Functions and Visits

Prince Albert’s papers relating to functions and visits

Diary selections

Selections from Prince Albert’s lost diary

School books

A selection of Prince Albert’s school books

Miscellaneous correspondence

Prince Albert’s miscellaneous correspondence

Musical compositions

Prince Albert’s musical compositions

Royal Library reform

Prince Albert’s reform of the Royal Library