As a fashionable young man in the 1840s, Prince Albert would have used a walking stick as part of his formal dress. This stick was given to him by Queen Victoria during their first Christmas as a married couple. She had given birth to their first child, Victoria, the Princess Royal, in late November at Buckingham Palace and had only been in residence at Windsor Castle for a couple of days prior to Christmas. She recorded the lack of time to make preparations for Christmas gifts that year in her Journal.

I gave Albert a curious picture by Lucas Cranach, a walking stick, & pictures, with all of which he was delighted.

Queen Victoria’s Journal, 24 December 1840

From Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, Christmas 1840