Victoria and Albert: Our Lives in Watercolour
Throughout their marriage, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were enthusiastic patrons (and practitioners) of the art of watercolour painting. They formed a collection of thousands of watercolours, many illustrating scenes of their public and private lives, and often spent happy evenings together organising their acquisitions into albums. This exhibition – including many works being displayed for the first time – marks the bicentenary of the births of both Victoria and Albert. These colourful, dynamic watercolours capture the pomp and spectacle of the British court, foreign travel and diplomacy, the exploration and shaping of a modern nation and, importantly, the close-knit family at the heart of it all.
Introducing Victoria and Albert: Our Lives in Watercolour
Exhibition highlights
Eugene-Louis Lami (1800-90)
Marie-Amélie, Queen of the French, greets Queen Victoria at Le Tréport
Joseph Nash (1809-78)
Queen Victoria driving out with Louis-Philippe from the Quadrangle, Windsor Castle
Joseph Nash (1809-78)
Prince Albert’s closing address at the Great Exhibition, 15 October 1851
Waller Hugh Paton (1828-95)
Edinburgh with a distant view of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Events programme
Shop the Exhibition
Video: Facsimile Album
In 2019 the Royal Bindery produced a replica of one of Victoria's cherished picture albums
Exhibition Features
Additional research by exhibition curator Carly Collier
Map & directions
By car
There is a public car park adjacent to the Palace at Broad Pavement. Please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website for more details.
Accessible parking spaces are located on Horse Wynd, just outside the Palace, on a first-come first-serve basis.
By train
Edinburgh Waverley. The Queen's Gallery is a 15 minute walk from the station.
By tram
The nearest tram stop is York Place. The Queen’s Gallery is a 20 minute walk from the station. Visit Edinburgh Trams for times and fares.
By coach / bus
Bus numbers 6 and 35 stop near the Gallery. Open-top tour buses stop nearby.
Limited free coach parking is available adjacent to the Palace. Alternative pay-and-display coach parking is available on nearby Regent Road.
By bike
A free-to-use public bicycle rack is located opposite the Scottish Parliament. Cycle hire stations are available nearby on both Holyrood Road and Abbeyhill, within a 5 minute walk of the Palace and The Queen’s Gallery. Visit Edinburgh Cycle Hire for details.
