1-152-130 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Death of Albert (1819-1861), Prince Consort of Queen Victoria, 14 December 1861. Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha married his first cousin, Queen Victoria, in 1840. In 1857 he was given the title Prince Consort and became the Queen's private advisor. He was interested in arts, science and industry and planned the Great Exhibition of 1851. His death in 1861, from typhoid fever, was a crushing blow to Queen Victoria, who wore mourning dress for the remaining 40 years of her life. Masthead of The Illustrated London News, showing a black border denoting the nation's mourning.