Queen Victoria was devastated when her beloved Bertie, Prince Albert, died in 1861. Queen Victoria wanted a permanent memorial for him. The monument was unveiled in 1872, and it’s a testimony to the Victorian era’s opulence
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the Gothic Revival style, the memorial is an elaborate, ornate structure, standing 176 feet tall and costing £120,000 (equivalent to millions today). Sir George Scott also designed the famous red phone box in the U.K.
The Statue
The gilded statue of a seated Prince Albert captures him holding a catalogue of the Great Exhibition 1851, which he championed. The statue is sheltered by an intricate canopy adorned with mosaics, enamels, and sculptures. The base features the Frieze of Parnassus, a 200-foot-long marble relief depicting 169 figures of great artists, poets, and musicians from history, celebrating Albert’s passion for the arts.
Four corner groups represent the Victorian empire’s global reach, symbolising Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, while further sculptures depict agriculture, commerce, engineering, and manufactures. All were key pillars of the Industrial Revolution. The memorial’s lavish materials, including marble, gold, and semi-precious stones, reflect the era’s wealth and ambition.
Location
Located opposite the Royal Albert Hall, it remains a striking landmark. However, its grandeur has sparked debate, with some calling it a masterpiece and others an overblown relic of imperialism. Restored in the 1990s, it’s open to the public, with guided tours available.
The Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is an eye-catching and iconic concert hall opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband, Prince Albert. It was designed by Captain Francis Fowke and General Henry Scott in an Italianate style, with a distinctive circular structure, red-brick exterior, and a grand terracotta frieze celebrating the arts and sciences.
It has a capacity of around 5,200 and hosts a diverse range of performances, from classical music and opera to rock concerts and the annual BBC Proms, a world-renowned classical music festival. The hall’s magnificent architecture, glass-and-iron dome, and superb acoustics make it one of the UK’s most treasured cultural landmarks.
Check royalparks.org.uk for visitor details.
Parting Comments
Both the Albert Memorial and the Albert Hall are distinctive landmarks in Kensington. It’s hard not to notice them as you walk in Kensington Gardens or anywhere near Exhibition Road.
The Albert Memorial structure incorporates over 60 types of stone, including rare marbles and granites, which showcase Victorian craftsmanship and wealth. It’s opulent. The Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall create a paired tribute to Prince Albert’s legacy in arts, science, and culture.
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About the Creator
Tabby London
The London I've been discovering is usually off the well-beaten track.I love the nooks and crannies and walking along the streets steeped in centuries worth of history. I'm fond of Zone 1 because that's where it all began centuries ago.
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