Victoria and Albert: A Life at Osborne House by HRH The Duchess of York (with Benita Stoney)

Genre: Non-fiction, History, Biography
Length: 208 pages

Reviewed by Elaina Westfield

"I trust that God may bless this work and that we may live many happy years in the house, with our children and children's children..." - Queen Victoria

In Victoria and Albert: A Life at Osborne House HRH* The Duchess of York relates the previously untold story of the Royal Family at their private residence on the Isle of Wight. Desiring a retreat from public life, the young Queen and her newly-wed Prince search for a place to call their own. The couple find a home and much happiness at Osborne in the years that follow, preferring its domestic setting for the raising of their nine children and the entertainment of their special guests.

In this rare portrait of family life, the members of England's beloved royal household are revived with fresh insights into their relationships, dispositions, and dreams for the future. The author's passionate interest in her subject is evident in the thoughtful and captivating prose, as well as the beautiful illustrations and photographs found on nearly every page of this colorful book. The material is well-documented throughout, including numerous quotes from the journals of Queen Victoria herself.

The book’s focus on the importance of home and family in the lives of the Queen and her husband reveals strongly-held values often absent in aristocratic life. Various anecdotes highlight the compassionate and fun-loving nature of the Queen, and the personal involvement she and the Prince had in their children's nurture and education. After the Prince's death, however, the shadow which falls over Osborne demonstrates the negative impact that prolonged grief may have on a family and a nation.

A far cry from the dry knowledge presented in many histories, Victoria and Albert overflows with personality and real-life romance. The author's objective approach gives an authenticity to the story, making it all the more meaningful to the reader. As an introduction to the Victorian monarchy, or as a new look at an already familiar subject, this book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by this remarkable family.

*Her Royal Highness