We take a closer look at the 9 children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Who they were and what became of them.
Queen Victoria is still one of Britain’s most iconic monarchs and will undoubtedly remain so for centuries to come. Born to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, she was only eighteen years old when she ascended the throne but ended up being the longest-reigning monarch that the UK had ever had. This remained so until 9th September 2015 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the United Kingdom’s longest-serving sovereign.
So just how many children did Queen Victoria have? Queen Victoria had a total of 9 children; 5 girls and 4 boys, born between the years of 1840 and 1857. Here is everything that you need to know about the children of Queen Victoria:
Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise
The German Empress and Queen of Prussia
Queen Victoria had the first of her 9 children on 21 November, 1840. Although the couple was hoping for a boy, they had a girl whom they named Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise. Victoria, nicknamed Vicky, is rumoured to have been her father’s favourite child but struggled to keep a close relationship with her mother who is said to have been exceptionally controlling.
Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise married a Prussian Prince known as Frederick William who would later become the German Emperor. Victoria’s role as Empress and Queen of Prussia was shortlived when her husband died of cancer in 1888 – just 99 days after his accession to the throne.
After her husband’s death, she became widely referred to as Kaiserin Friedrich (Empress Frederick). The Dowager Queen built the castle Friedrichshof in Kronberg im Taunus where she remained until her death. Her life, much like her husband’s, was also claimed by cancer. She died, only a few months after her mother’s death, on 5 August 1901 aged 60.
Prince Albert Edward
King Edward VII
Albert Edward was born on 9 November 1841 and was commonly referred to a Bertie. He succeeded the throne as the first-born son. He succeeded to reign following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, in 1901.
With his ascension, ‘Bertie’ chose to reign under the name Edward VII. As the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, he gained exceptional popularity. He was a successful king that is today remembered for strengthening British ties with the French. He died on 6th May 1910 aged 68.
Princess Alice Maud Mary
The Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine
Princess Alice of the United Kingdom was born on 25 April 1843. She was known for her kind and passionate nature, later serving as a nurse during the German wars with France and Austria. She, in fact, did far-reaching work together with the legendary Florence Nightingale. Princess Alice would go on to change the face of nursing in Germany and fought tirelessly for the empowerment of women and their ability to enter the workforce.
She married Prince Louis of Hesse and the Rhine in 1862. Unfortunately, she was the first of the children of Queen Victoria to die in 1878, when she was only aged 35.
Prince Alfred Ernest Albert
The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Alfred Ernest Albert was born on 6 August 1844 and was nicknamed Affie. He joined the navy at 14 where he quickly rose through the ranks. His Royal Highness married the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia in 1874 and was a well-known party-goer who also suffered from alcoholism.
He was titled as the Duke of Edinburgh from 1866 until he succeeded his paternal uncle Ernest II. The new title elevated him to become Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He died on July 1900 aged 55, just 6 months before his mother’s own death.
Princess Helena Augusta
Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein
Princess Helena Of United Kingdom was born on 25 May 1846. She married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, an impoverished German Prince. The couple remained in England under Queen Victoria’s watchful eye due to the Prince’s lack of finances. She died on 9th June 1923 aged 77 years.
Princess Louise Caroline Alberta
The Duchess of Argyll
Princess Louise Caroline Alberta was born on 18 March 1848 and actually ended up being one of the Queen Victoria’s longest-living children. In many ways, she broke through barriers, not just for women but for Royals as well. She was an ardent advocate for women’s right and continuously fought the system.
Princess Louise Duchess of Argyll also became the first Royal to be educated at a public school and was an excellent sculptor. This was not considered to be a dignified form of artistry for a woman not even mentioning for a Princess. Although Queen Victoria was said to have been outraged at this, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta forged ahead.
Although very controversial at the time, a statue sculpted by Princess Louise of Queen Victoria at still stands in the gardens of Kensington Palace.
The Princess was the first Royal to marry a non-royal aristocrat in centuries. She married John Campbell, with whom she had no children. It was greatly rumoured that he was a homosexual. When the couple were living at their apartment in Kensington Palace they had the French windows bricked up. There are written records that there was a persistent rumour as to the reason for this going through high-society and the court. It was said that the Princess did this to stop her husband from sneaking out of the Palace in the middle of the night to meet up with young soldiers in the park. Although this was a very popular rumour at the time there is no actual evidence for this and is considered to have been idle gossip.
It is however thought that the Princess and the Queen only found out that he was gay after they got married. She died on 3rd December 1939 aged 91 years old.
Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert
The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Arthur William Patrick Albert was born on 1st May 1850 and was said to be Queen Victoria’s favourite child.
Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn served as the Governor-General of Canada and was later appointed the Grand Prior of the Order of St John and held this position until 1939. He died on 16 January 1942, aged 91 years old.
Prince Leopold George Duncan
The Duke of Albany
Titled the Duke of Albany, Prince Leopold George Duncan was born on 7th April 1853 and suffered from poor health all through his life as a result of his haemophilia.
He was the youngest of the children of Queen Victoria to die. He died on 28 March 1884 at the tender age of 30.
Princess Beatrice Mary Victoria
Princess Henry of Battenberg
Beatrice Mary Victoria was born on 14th April 1857. As the last born, she was quite close to her mother. She remained by her side until the Queen passed away.
Her later years were plagued with ill health, but she managed to live a long life, passing away on 26th October 1944 at the age of 87.