Children of Queen Victoria

All nine of Victoria and Albert's children were given art lessons from an early age, and in 1852 Edward Corbould was engaged as their watercolour tutor. Corbould was a favourite with the royal children as his light-hearted approach won him the affection of his pupils. They were also tutored by William Leighton Leitch and other leading artists of the day, who also often acted as instructors to the children's mother.

Queen Victoria's daughters in particular were all competent amateur artists and often drew on mythology, poetry and religion for subject matter. Although the royal children had access to their parents' impressive fine art collection, this did not stop them from also being influenced by popular taste.

While Queen Victoria's sons do not seem to have continued painting into adulthood, her daughters continued drawing and painting throughout their lives. There are around 1,000 works by the children and grandchildren of Queen Victoria in the Royal Collection, as well as 300 works by her daughter-in-law, the future Queen Alexandra.

The Royal Collection also holds drawings presented to Queen Victoria by her grandchildren, and works by the children of Edward VII which were mounted in an album by their mother, Queen Alexandra.