And Victoria Loved Albert

A Shrine to Love, in Kensington Gardens

Albert Memorial, October 2013

Her husband died at age 42 of typhoid fever, leaving her bereft and in deep grief. Victoria soon commissioned the design and creation of the Albert Memorial, which I visited last October. The immense amount of gold leaf renders it gleaming, with unique architecture that includes a series of beautiful allegorical sculptures. The bright statue of Albert sits under its protective canopy, gazing out at the Royal Albert Hall.

I came upon it while seeking a Scone.

                     Royal Albert Hall, October 2013                

The man who gave me an informal tour that October day (he was actually a kindly custodian-driver between duties) emphasized the love between Victoria and Albert; how she adored him in life, and embraced a deep mourning upon his death, a grieving which in fact lasted her lifetime; how she could not bear to carry out her royal duties and secluded herself (apart from when she met a Mr. Brown and briefly woke up) until her subjects began to wonder if they had a Queen.

I was impressed. The Memorial itself is an obvious labor of love. In my seeking of information about her relationship with Albert, one of her letters revealed her feelings for him upon their marriage. "Really, how can I ever be thankful enough for having such a Husband!" she joyfully wrote. It is very sweet, particularly coming from a woman whom many considered to be overtly modest and prudent. Apparently the Modest and Prudent can also love deeply. Let that be a lesson.

Do we see a lot of women today uplifting and honoring their husbands, dead or alive? I was wondering about that. Of course, we wouldn't have access to the gold leaf, or the architects or the enormous funding mechanism. But perhaps there are other ways we could uplift and honor, maybe not so ostentatiously, but still offering esteem and distinction.

It's just an idea. Perhaps one whose time has come.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/5559404665/

See you along the way!

the SconeLady

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/5559404665/">garryknight</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a>