# Prince Albert — Queen Victoria character guide > Prince Albert in Queen Victoria by Lytton Strachey. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Albert, Bertie, the Prince Consort, Prince Francis Charles Augustus Albert, Lovely Albert **First appearance:** 0002-i-antecedents ## Snapshot A handsome, erudite German prince groomed from boyhood to marry a queen, whose reluctance to exert himself becomes the quiet crisis beneath his dazzling promise. ## Who they are Albert arrives in England as the answer to a dynastic plan, scrutinized by Stockmar and Leopold for the ambition and force of will a consort's career demands. He is intelligent, amiable, and full of noble resolutions, yet great exertion repels him and his good intentions too often dissolve into nothing. His courtship and early marriage matter because Victoria's happiness and the tone of her reign depend on whether this polished, self-sparing prince can grow into the grave vocation Europe has marked out for him. ## Relationships ### [Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/queen_victoria) _romantic_ Deeply devoted husband and wife, forming the central romantic and political partnership of Victoria's life. ### [Baron Stockmar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/baron_stockmar) _friendship_ Albert's mentor and confidant, who helped shape his role as prince consort and advised him on constitutional matters. ### [Lord Melbourne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/lord_melbourne) _rivalry_ Melbourne viewed Albert as a rival for Victoria's affection and influence, leading to mutual distrust. ### [Prince Alexander of Battenberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/prince_alexander_of_battenberg) _family_ Albert was Alexander's grandfather, though he died before Alexander's birth, making this a posthumous familial link. ### [Lord Palmerston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/lord_palmerston) _rivalry_ Palmerston and Albert were frequent adversaries over foreign policy, with Albert distrusting Palmerston's unilateral actions. ### [Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/queen_victoria) _romantic_ Deeply devoted husband and wife, forming the central romantic and political partnership of Victoria's life. ### [Prince Alexander of Battenberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/prince_alexander_of_battenberg) _family_ Albert was Alexander's grandfather, though he died before Alexander's birth, making this a posthumous familial link. ### [Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/queen_victoria) _romantic_ Deeply devoted husband and wife, forming the central romantic and political partnership of Victoria's life. ### [Baron Stockmar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/baron_stockmar) _friendship_ Albert's mentor and confidant, who helped shape his role as prince consort and advised him on constitutional matters. ### [Lord Melbourne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/lord_melbourne) _rivalry_ Melbourne viewed Albert as a rival for Victoria's affection and influence, leading to mutual distrust. ### [Lord Melbourne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/lord_melbourne) _rivalry_ Melbourne viewed Albert as a rival for Victoria's affection and influence, leading to mutual distrust. ### [Lord Palmerston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/lord_palmerston) _rivalry_ Palmerston and Albert were frequent adversaries over foreign policy, with Albert distrusting Palmerston's unilateral actions. ## In the story ### [Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/queen-victoria) Victoria's husband and consort, whose influence and death profoundly shaped her reign. ### [Happiness and Turmoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/viii) Arrives at Windsor; Victoria is instantly captivated by his beauty and character, and she proposes marriage. ### [Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv-marriage) Patiently consolidates his domestic and political influence, orchestrates the removal of Lehzen, becomes Victoria's sole confidant, and effectively acts as the real controller of the Crown's functions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i) The central figure of the chapter; his birth, upbringing, education, and character are described in detail. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii) Arrives in England, torn between ambition and duty, devoted to Coburg yet committed to his new role. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii) Struggles with his political and domestic roles; feels isolated due to his foreignness and formal demeanor; gradually gains influence over Victoria and the household. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv) Portrayed as the source of Victoria's happiness, her teacher and guide, who reconciles her with her mother and gives up double chess. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/v) Struggles with loneliness and a lack of understanding from Victoria, finds solace in work and family, and becomes deeply involved in state affairs and household reform. ### [The Victorian Age in Full Swing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/vi) Influences the Queen's moral standards, oversees the planting at Osborne, and is an ardent Free Trader. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/vii) Conceives and tirelessly organizes the Great Exhibition, overcoming health struggles and opposition. ### [V: Lord Palmerston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/v-lord-palmerston) Depicted as un-English, a foreigner whose political influence and constitutional vision clash with Palmerston's popular style; he is guided by Stockmar and seeks to sink his individual existence into that of the Queen. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i) Described as un-English, interested in foreign affairs, and increasingly contemptuous of high society; his fortunes reached a high-water mark with the Great Exhibition. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii) Leads the opposition to Palmerston, guided by Stockmar; takes a particular interest in German unification under Prussia and orchestrates the constitutional memorandum to limit Palmerston's actions. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii) Described as the Queen's husband who 'sinks his own individual existence in that of his wife' and acts as her permanent minister, tutor, and private secretary, deeply influencing the Crown's role. ### [Last Years of Prince Consort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/vi-last-years-of-prince-consort) The Prince Consort is depicted as overworked, depressed, and in declining health, yet deeply engaged in state affairs, art, and family life. His final illness and death from typhoid fever are detailed. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i) Shown as an indefatigable worker, deeply involved in government, art, science, and family education, rising before dawn and laboring until late. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii) Designs and oversees the building of Balmoral Castle, shares Victoria's love for the Highlands, and is described as being in ecstasies over the scenery. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii) Works ceaselessly on war administration, producing voluminous memoranda and proposals for army reform; maintains a reserved demeanor, contrasting with Victoria's emotional openness. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv) Albert is depicted as increasingly melancholic, overworked, and physically declining. He suffers from sleeplessness, catches a chill after visiting Cambridge to admonish the Prince of Wales, and dies by the end of the year. ### [VII: Widowhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/vii-widowhood) His death is the central event of the chapter; his potential influence on English governance is discussed at length. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i) His death at 42 is the central event; he had governed England for 21 years with wisdom and energy, and his permanent influence might have changed the English polity. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii) Deceased; his memory and wishes guide Victoria's actions and decisions throughout the chapter. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii) The subject of Victoria's posthumous campaign to reveal his true genius and character. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv) Posthumously honored through numerous statues and the Albert Memorial; his earlier design of silver cruet-stands inspired the memorial's ciborium concept. ### [VIII: Gladstone and Lord Beaconsfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/viii-gladstone-and-lord-beaconsfield) Albert's memory is invoked by Disraeli's eulogies, which deeply affect Victoria and secure his place in her affections. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i) Referenced as the idealized figure whose memory Disraeli reveres and whose military interests Victoria feels are under attack by Gladstone's reforms. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i) Deceased; his memory is invoked through John Brown and the Queen's gazing at his bust. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as a fading memory; Victoria gradually moves on from her grief, though his influence once dominated her life. ### [The Apotheosis of Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv) Referenced as having influenced the increase of Crown power (1840-1861) and as having advanced religious views that Victoria did not fully adopt. ### [X: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/x-the-end) Recalled multiple times in Victoria's final visions, including his face under the green lamp and his first stag at Balmoral. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in citations from Theodore Martin's biography and other sources. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/prince_albert - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters