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Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Franz August Karl Albert Emanuel;[1] 26 August 1819 – 14 December 1861) was the consort of the British monarch from 1840 until his death in 1861 as the husband of Queen Victoria.[2]
| Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | |||||
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| Prince Consort | |||||
_(cropped).jpg) Photograph by J. J. E. Mayall, May 1860 | |||||
| Consort of the British monarch | |||||
| Tenure | 10 February 1840 – 14 December 1861 | ||||
| Predecessor | Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (1837) | ||||
| Successor | Alexandra of Denmark (1901) | ||||
| Born | Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld 26 August 1819 Schloss Rosenau, Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, German Confederation | ||||
| Died | 14 December 1861 (aged 42) Windsor Castle, England | ||||
| Burial | 23 December 1861 | ||||
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| Father | Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||||
| Mother | Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg | ||||
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Early Life
Albert was born as Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld on August 26, 1819, in Coburg, a small German principality in the German Confederation. He was the second son of Duke Franz Frederick Augustus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duchess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. His father was a liberal and reform-minded ruler, and his mother was known for her social conscience and charitable activities.
Education
Albert's early education took place at the court of Saxe-Coburg, where he was tutored privately. He later attended the University of Bonn, where he studied law, political science, and the arts. His education was shaped by his father's progressive views and his own interests in politics and social reform.
Childhood and family
Albert's upbringing was influenced by his parents' progressive ideals. His father emphasized a well-rounded education, and Albert was taught many subjects including science, philosophy, and the arts. Albert had a close relationship with his older brother, Ernest, and his younger siblings. The family was supportive of his education and ambitions.
Marriage
Albert and then-Princess Victoria were first cousins, sharing a common lineage through their German royal families. They had known each other since childhood, but their relationship developed into a romantic one in the 1830s. Albert proposed to Victoria in 1839. Despite some initial reluctance from Victoria's advisors due to his German nationality and lack of political experience, the marriage went forward as planned. They were married on February 10, 1840, at the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace in London.
Children
Albert and Victoria had nine children, whose marriages connected many European royal families. Their children were:
1. Victoria (1840-1901): She married Crown Prince Frederick III of Prussia and became the German Empress consort and Queen consort of Prussia. Her marriage established strong ties between Britain and Germany.
2. Edward (1841-1910): He ascended the throne after Victoria’s death and became King of the United Kingdom. His reign marked the beginning of the Edwardian Era and was characterized by significant social and political changes.
3. Alice (1843-1878): She married Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse, and became Grand Duchess consort of Hesse. Her marriage linked British royalty with the German states.
4. Alfred (1844-1900): He became the Duke of Edinburgh and later the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Alfred had a career in the Royal Navy.
5. Helena (1846-1923): She married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein. Helena was known for her charitable work and support of various social causes.
6. Louise (1848-1939): She married John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll. Louise was involved in various social and charitable activities.
7. Arthur (1850-1942): He served in the British Army and became the Duke of Connaught. Afterwards, he became Governor General of Canada. His military career and public service were notable aspects of his life.
8. Leopold (1853-1884): He became the Duke of Albany and suffered from hemophilia. His early death was a great sorrow for Victoria.
9. Beatrice (1857-1944): She married Prince Henry of Battenberg and devoted much of her life to caring for her mother and supporting various charitable endeavors.
Role as consort
As Prince consort, Albert was not given formal political power but took an active role in advising Victoria. He was involved in domestic and foreign policy discussions and had a significant influence on various matters of state.
Albert was instrumental in organizing the Great Exhibition of 1851, which was a landmark event showcasing British industrial and cultural achievements. He was also involved in reforming the monarchy’s public image, aiming to make it more approachable and engaged with the public. Albert promoted educational reforms and was a patron of the arts and sciences. His contributions led to the establishment of institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall.
Illness and Death
Albert’s health began to decline in the late 1850s. He suffered from a series of illnesses, including what was diagnosed as typhoid fever, but his health problems were compounded by stress and overwork. Albert's condition worsened significantly in late 1861. He passed away on December 14, 1861, at the age of 42, at Windsor Castle.[3]
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| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria, Princess Royal | 21 November 1840 | 5 August 1901 | Married 1858, Crown Prince Frederick III of Prussia; had children. |
| Edward VII | 9 November 1841 | 6 May 1910 | Married 1863, Princess Alexandra of Denmark; had children. |
| Princess Alice | 25 April 1843 | 14 December 1878 | Married 1862, Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine; had children. |
| Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Edinburgh | 6 August 1844 | 31 July 1900 | Married 1874, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia; had children. |
| Princess Helena | 25 May 1846 | 9 June 1923 | Married 1866, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg; had children. |
| Princess Louise | 18 March 1848 | 3 December 1939 | Married 1871, John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll; no children. |
| Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn | 1 May 1850 | 16 January 1942 | Married 1879, Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia; had children. |
| Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany | 7 April 1853 | 28 March 1884 | Married 1882, Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont; had children. |
| Princess Beatrice | 14 April 1857 | 26 October 1944 | Married 1885, Prince Henry of Battenberg; had children |
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