Their uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium, Her Uncle Was Planning Her Marriage - But Queen Victoria Had Other Ideas

When Princess Victoria met Prince Albert on the 18th of May 1836, their relatives were hoping the two would eventually get married. They were actually first cousins, both only sixteen years old, but despite being related, they hardly even knew each another. Victoria grew up at Kensington Palace, and Albert had spent his childhood in Germany.

Their uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium, was keen on the marriage. He encouraged Albert to visit England, he thought that the cousins would make a good match. It would also strengthen the Saxe-Coburg family, bringing them closer to the British throne. Victoria's mother and Albert's father were also supportive of the idea.

But Victoria's uncle, King William IV, had someone else in mind. He disliked the idea of a Coburg marriage and preferred Prince Alexander of the Netherlands. Royal marriages could bring valuable political connections, and Victoria had several relatives who were keen to influence her.

Victoria certainly liked Albert when they first met. She described him as "extremely handsome" and particularly admired his expression. They enjoyed each other's company and continued to correspond after his visit, but nothing had been agreed.

By July 1839, Victoria had been Queen for just over two years and was enjoying her independence. On the 15th of July, she wrote to Leopold saying that there was no engagement between her and Albert. She was not prepared to promise marriage just because their families wanted it.

Victoria explained that even if she did like Albert when they met again, she would prefer to wait another two or three years before considering marriage. She was also reluctant to give up the freedom she had gained from being Queen.

Albert was also concerned. He was being encouraged to prepare for a marriage without knowing whether Victoria would even agree.

Then Albert returned to England in October 1839. Victoria found herself falling in love with him. On the 15th of October, just five days after his arrival, she asked him to marry her. As the reigning monarch, Victoria was expected to propose herself.

Albert accepted, and they married on the 10th of February 1840 at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.

Victoria had been quite determined to resist the marriage plans being made around her. Only three months before becoming engaged, she was still insisting that she could not promise Albert anything.

Her relatives may have brought them together, but Victoria's own letters show that she wanted to make the final decision herself.

Image info:

Leap Year! (1840), satirical lithograph depicting Queen Victoria proposing to Prince Albert. British Museum collection, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. An artistic interpretation, not a depiction of the actual proposal.