When Albert married his first cousin, Queen Victoria, it was a match of true love.

Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel was the second son of Ernest, duke of Saxe-Coburg, and Louise, daughter of Duke Augustus of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg.

He was not initially popular with the people of Britain and was always in the background of public life. However he had a great interest in science and learning, took up the causes of abolition of slavery and education reforms and ran the Queen’s household.

In 1851 he organised the Great Exhibition in the magnificent Crystal Palace in London. The glass building was later destroyed by fire.

Together they had nine children, the eldest being Princess Victoria, who married German Emperor Frederick III and became Queen of Prussia.

He died in 1861 aged just 42 and Victoria mourned him the rest of her life. Upon her death in 1901, their eldest son took his place on the throne as Edward VII.

Albert’s name lives on in London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Victoria and Albert Museum.