Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Victoria and Albert: Gifts Exchanged

Gifts exchanged between a royal couple

ALFRED TENNYSON, 1ST BARON TENNYSON (1809-92)

The Princess: a medley

1860

RCIN 1085095

This copy of The Princess was given by Queen Victoria to Prince Albert as a Christmas present. This narrative poem by Tennyson is a satire on the state of women’s education. The choice of this gift perhaps demonstrates the royal couple’s interest in women’s education, and certainly their shared admiration for the poet laureate. The flyleaf is inscribed: 'To my beloved Albert / from / his ever devoted & loving / wife / VR, Christmas 1859'.

    Quick Links

    Official Royal Residences

    Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection, one of the world’s great art collections. Income from your visit helps us to conserve and share the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone, wherever they are.