Victoria and Albert: A Family Life at Osbourne House

My edition is used and I was delighted to see that Sarah Ferguson autographed it! Many years ago, I remember her saying on Oprah that Queen Victoria has always been her favorite monarch. I have to say that she is mine also. I’ve loved Queen Victoria and Prince Albert since I was a child, although loved is probably an understatement.This book is simply breathtaking. Although the final chapters seemed a bit rushed, overall it is well written and the illustrations are gorgeous. It’s about their life at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. They would often go there to escape Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Osborne House was conceived and planned by Prince Albert as a sanctuary for his wife and their nine children. I recommend this book highly if you love Queen Victoria and British royalty. After reading this and telling my husband all about it, he suggested that we should someday go to the Isle of Wight and visit Osborne House. I would love to!Some of my favorite quotes:“Both the Queen and Prince Albert seemed to have spent far more time with their children, than one usually associates with Victorian life. They ate together, and walked, rode, played and painted together. And the fond parents were often present at bath time and in the nurseries that Prince Albert had designed close at hand.”About Prince Albert and Queen Victoria’s relationship:“He was always teaching, moulding her, encouraging her to curb her temper; in many ways he was as much a father figure to her as he was her husband; she in turn admired his knowledge and teaching, as she did everything about him.”“Even at Osborne, Albert had to start his day early if he was to get through the relentless agenda that he had set himself. The Queen did not have a private secretary; this role was filled by Albert, and as in every other area of their lives together – in the running of her establishments, in the upbringing of their children, in emotional support – she completely relied on him. He drafted, clarified, advised, and she approved nothing that he did not agree with. This self-imposed task of supporting, and moulding a constitutional monarch, who also made considerable emotional demands on him, would have been burden enough for most men. But for Albert, it was only part of his work, for the German prince had taken on an active role in the cultural life of his adoptive country.”“There are today many institutions, taken for granted as pillars of the establishment, which owe their existence, or their appearance, in part to Albert. He is regarded as the architect of the modern monarchy; and when his great-great granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, waves to people from Buckingham Palace, she does so standing on the balcony which was Albert’s idea.”“More than husband and consort, Albert was everything to Victoria, and Osborne was unthinkable without him.”“One of the ‘faults’, which Albert attempted to cure her of, and failed, was the Queen’s inability to live in the present. When she was happy, she fended off the future by anticipating it; and dealt with change when it came by dwelling on the past. The band under her window would wake her with a hymn – ‘Now thank we all our God’, or Psalm 100 – while Albert wished her joy so tenderly, so merrily, so lovingly, that she confessed humbly: ‘Often I feel surprised at being so loved, and tremble at my great happiness, dreading that I may be too happy.’”

This is the most excellent book of its kind around. It is the second copy I have purchased. I gave the first away as a gift and realized that I wanted a copy for myself. We have been watching "Victoria" on our PBS station and it is a nice reference book. It is filled with info and has great pictures, as well.

This book is great, very nice pictures and I just love the store of their home coming together and that this book comes from her note books. The prince did not write that much, but we get to see her home and life through her words.

Great mix of photos, paintings, sketches, letters and facts about the royal couple and the creating of Osbourne house.

I haven't started this book yet, but I know I'll love it - just seeing the pictures were interesting and I can't wait to get into it more!

I have wanted to read about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert since seeing the Emily Blunt movie... I order this book and another and look forward to reading about their lives, their work and their children.

Wonderful book with lots of pictures, received in good condition.

The book was in excellent condition. Very pleased.

Absolutely love this book, so interesting, easy to read and full of pictures and photos. If you have an interest in Victorian times especially the quite remarkable Queen Victoria and her very hard working, intelligent Albert and their family life at the beautiful Osborne House, then you won't fail to enjoy this read.

I borrowed this book from the library when it was first published and enjoyed it. When visiting Osborne House recently I hoped to be able to buy it at the shop there and was so disappointed that it was not on sale there. I am very happy with this book now as it brings all I have seen back to my memory. It is extremely well written and the photographs are wonderful.

Bought as a gift, very pleased with purchase.

Wonderful book that really came into its own planning a visit to Osbourne which was our favourite royal house/castle/palace of all and weve been to all now !

Beautifully illustrated with photographs, sketches and paintings, some by Queen Victoria, and great dialogue it is hard to put this book down, especially after a visit to lovely Osborne House.