Albert, Prince Consort

When Albert married his first cousin, Queen Victoria,  it was a match of true love.

Albert was the second son of Ernest, duke of Saxe-Coburg, and Louise, daughter of Duke Augustus of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg. Together they had nine children.

He was not initially popular with the people of Britain and was always in the background of public life. However he had a great interest in science and learning, took up the causes of abolition of slavery and education reforms and ran the Queen’s household.

In 1851 he organised the Great Exhibition in the magnificent Crystal Palace in London. The glass building was later destroyed by fire.

He died in 1861 aged just 42 and Vicotria mourne dhim the rest of her life. Upon her death their son Edward VII took his place on the throne.

Albert’s name lives on in London’s Royal Albert Hall and Victoria and Albert Museum.