Queen Victoria's Children

By John Van der Kiste

Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort had nine children who despite their very different characters, remained a close-knit family. Inevitably, as they married into European royal families their loyalties were divided and their lives dominated by political controversy. This is not only the story of their lives in terms of world impact, but also of their own personal achievements, their individual contributions to public life in Britain and overseas and in their roles as the children of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The History Press
• Release date: Oct 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9780752473246

John Van der Kiste

John Van der Kiste has published over forty books including works on royal and historical biography, local history, true crime, music and fiction, and is a contributor to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. His previous titles include Queen Victoria's Children, Kaiser Wilhelm II and The Romanovs: Tsar Alexander II of Russia and his Family and ‘Alfred—Queen Victoria's Second Son’ and ‘Prussian Princesses’ for Fonthill. He lives in Devon.

Reviews for Queen Victoria's Children

[diana_long_thomas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have had this on my want to read list for quite a while, I found that my local library had the audio book while searching though Hoopla for something new to read/listen to. I knew some about the children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, but only peripherally through biographies on them or the biographies of their children who ruled various countries in their own right. I had no idea just how unhappy some of them were with their lives and marriages or the differences and in fighting between the siblings who had to put the needs of various countries before family and sibling bonds.

[schmerguls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a non-pretentious book which does a good job telling ot Queen Victoria' s lon ife and of her nine children. There are adequate geneaolgical tables, and a listing of all Victoria's children and grandchildren. The account is not overly deferential and I found it a good book to read, even though I have read other books on Queen Victoria and her children. There were many instances of untimely sickness and death in the family. In fact, one gets the idea that the death of Prince Albert on Dec 14, 1861 ushered in lots of unhappiness for the family.. A good book to read if the subject interests you, as it does me.

[auntieknickers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even after reading this book, I'm not sure I can keep everyone straight, but it did help and was both informative and entertaining. Recommended for those interested in royalty, both British and otherwise.