Bicentennial of the Birth of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Queen Victoria as a baby
2019 sees the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Queen Victoria was born on 24th May 1819 at Kensington Palace, London. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. Her father died shortly after her birth and she became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in the succession – George IV, Frederick Duke of York and William IV – had no legitimate children who survived.
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was born on 26 August 1819 at Schloss Rosenau, in Bavaria. He was the younger son of the duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who divorced Albert’s mother on grounds of adultery when Albert was 7 years old.
Victoria and Albert were first cousins. Albert was the son of Victoria’s mother’s brother; Leopold their mutual uncle.
Albert (left) with his elder brother Ernest and mother Louise
This year is the 200th anniversary of Victoria and Albert’s birth. To honour this Michael Hunter the Curator at Osborne designed an exhibition for this particular event which will be in the exhibition room as you enter the house.There are many presents that were given to Victoria and Albert at Osborne and these are included in the exhibition.
The event was officially opened by the Duke of Kent on the 23rd May.
At the same time the first tapestry panel of a group of panels was on display as well. These panels, the brain child of one of our members Lyn Kemp, are being made by members of the community some of whom are also members of the Friends. This first panel is called Royal as it depicts things associated with Osborne House and the estate.
English Heritage offered us the chance to see this exhibition on the evening of the 23rd before it was officially opened to the public.
Michael was on hand to talk us through the whole concept and afterwards we adjourned to the Duchess of Kent Suite for drinks and nibbles.