Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Franz August Karl Albert Emanuel; 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.

 Biography 

 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.

 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.

 Issue 

Albert and Victoria had nine children, whose marriages connected many European royal families. These children were:

NameBirthDeathNotesVictoria, Princess Royal21 November 18405 August 1901Married 1858, Crown Prince Frederick III of Prussia; had children.Edward VII9 November 18416 May 1910Married 1863, Princess Alexandra of Denmark; had children.Princess Alice25 April 184314 December 1878Married 1862, Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine; had children.Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Edinburgh6 August 184431 July 1900Married 1874, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia; had children.Princess Helena25 May 18469 June 1923Married 1866, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg; had children.Princess Louise18 March 18483 December 1939Married 1871, John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll; no children.Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn1 May 185016 January 1942Married 1879, Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia; had children.Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany7 April 185328 March 1884Married 1882, Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont; had children.Princess Beatrice14 April 185726 October 1944Married 1885, Prince Henry of Battenberg; had children

 References 

Category:1819 deaths
Category:1861 deaths
Category:19th-century German people
Category:German royalty
Category:British royalty
Category:House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Category:Kings and Queens consort of the United Kingdom
Category:Deaths from typhoid fever
Category:German Lutherans