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Queen Victoria #3
The Queen's Husband
From the time they were in their cradles, Victoria and Albert were destined for each other. However, the passive Albert is well aware that marriage to a quick-tempered, demonstrative young woman like Victoria could result in unnecessary scenes and stormy court feuds. And he is right. The young Queen, as well has having to endure her constant pregnancies, is in perpetual revolt against any encroachment on her position - and Albert is doing just that. Despite attempts on her life and crises like the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, her family - Albert and their nine children - is her prime concern. The Victorian age is truly under way - but the real power behind the throne was the queen's husband.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
24 people are currently reading
847 people want to read
About the author
Jean Plaidy
186 books1,591 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 2, 2021
The third book in Jean Plaidy's 4 book series about Queen Victoria.
This informative and interesting book covered the romance and marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Coburg, Germany.
Prince Albert was a man of much integrity and character serving England in any way his wife would allow - which sometimes wasn't very much.
The Prince was also intellectually inclined and much more intelligent than
Victoria. He wanted to invite the current authors and artists to Court but Victoria wouldn't allow it since she feared she would look dumb in comparison.
Albert did all he could to keep the queen happy since she was capable of tantrums at times. They were rumored to fight often and loudly as well as having a passionate marriage.
So passionate that Victoria had 9 children. Since Queen Victoria was tiny and petite with Albert being much larger I'm surprised she had no difficulty with childbearing.
The kingdom was in good hands with the Prince in control when Victoria was on maternity leave though.
Victoria, by all accounts, was a kind and loving mother unless her children happened to disappoint her (which would bring on more tantrums) so they were generally well behaved, except for Prince Edward, the future King of England - and that's another subject altogether!
The Queen always put her kingdom first and took her duties seriously.
Prince Albert died at the age of 39 of typhoid fever, although some said he worked himself to death. He wanted the best for England although the English didn't particularly like the German prince.
Which is a shame since Albert never spared himself in his duties and practically ran the country when Victoria was having babies.
The Queen was distraught at his death. Her older daughters would bring Victoria's youngest daughter, Beatrice, to hold when she became particularly despondent. Her 3 year old daughter was a great comfort to the Queen.
Too bad there weren't anti-depressants back then because if anybody needed them it was the Queen after Albert's death. She would only wear black until her death several decades later and tended toward being a recluse. She ruled from 1837 to 1901 and is the longest ruler in English history although Queen Elizabeth II should soon surpass that record.
Once again Plaidy manages to bring history to life with her factual account of the reign of Queen Victoria.
This informative and interesting book covered the romance and marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Coburg, Germany.
Prince Albert was a man of much integrity and character serving England in any way his wife would allow - which sometimes wasn't very much.
The Prince was also intellectually inclined and much more intelligent than
Victoria. He wanted to invite the current authors and artists to Court but Victoria wouldn't allow it since she feared she would look dumb in comparison.
Albert did all he could to keep the queen happy since she was capable of tantrums at times. They were rumored to fight often and loudly as well as having a passionate marriage.
So passionate that Victoria had 9 children. Since Queen Victoria was tiny and petite with Albert being much larger I'm surprised she had no difficulty with childbearing.
The kingdom was in good hands with the Prince in control when Victoria was on maternity leave though.
Victoria, by all accounts, was a kind and loving mother unless her children happened to disappoint her (which would bring on more tantrums) so they were generally well behaved, except for Prince Edward, the future King of England - and that's another subject altogether!
The Queen always put her kingdom first and took her duties seriously.
Prince Albert died at the age of 39 of typhoid fever, although some said he worked himself to death. He wanted the best for England although the English didn't particularly like the German prince.
Which is a shame since Albert never spared himself in his duties and practically ran the country when Victoria was having babies.
The Queen was distraught at his death. Her older daughters would bring Victoria's youngest daughter, Beatrice, to hold when she became particularly despondent. Her 3 year old daughter was a great comfort to the Queen.
Too bad there weren't anti-depressants back then because if anybody needed them it was the Queen after Albert's death. She would only wear black until her death several decades later and tended toward being a recluse. She ruled from 1837 to 1901 and is the longest ruler in English history although Queen Elizabeth II should soon surpass that record.
Once again Plaidy manages to bring history to life with her factual account of the reign of Queen Victoria.
October 30, 2018
The story through life events of Queen Victoria from her marriage to Prince Albert till his death. There is a good insight into the the relationship between the Queen and her husband and especially of their love and devotion towards each other. And it is also interesting to note that while Queen Victoria wielded power over an empire who the real power was behind close doors!
However, informative as it was, there was no story to read but only a biographic account of the life of one of the most prominent royal couples of yesteryear.
However, informative as it was, there was no story to read but only a biographic account of the life of one of the most prominent royal couples of yesteryear.
September 30, 2017
I've always been a fan of Jean Plaidy. She has a way of bringing history to life without the unnecessary sexually explicit scenes Phillips Geregory seems to use so much.
Someone leant this to me because I'd just started watching series 1 of Victoria (which is fab by the way).
As a result, the Victorian era is quickly becoming one of my favourite historical eras, along with the Tudors.
This book demonstrates the wide range of fascinating personalities who played vital roles in a time when Britain was changing quickly - Victoria, Albert, Melbourne, Peel, Duchess of Kent, Baroness Lehzen & more. They aren't just names, they were people like us. I wish more people realised how interesting parts of history can be!
Victoria & Albert's marriage was quite something. Arranged early on & yet became a love match with two people devoted to each other. (I wasn't sure about Plaidy's suggestion that Albert only married out of ambition).
The couple certainly faced a lot - changing prime ministers, 9 children - including the troubled man who would become the next king -, assassination attempts, Crimea eat & so on.
Surely the strength of their marriage played an important part in the growth of the power of Britain.
This book shows why Victoria was so devasted when Albert died - a shadow which hangs over the book. It certainly was a tragedy - & she would face many more years alone afterwards.
But that's another story...
This part of her story is a good one in a compelling time of British history.
Someone leant this to me because I'd just started watching series 1 of Victoria (which is fab by the way).
As a result, the Victorian era is quickly becoming one of my favourite historical eras, along with the Tudors.
This book demonstrates the wide range of fascinating personalities who played vital roles in a time when Britain was changing quickly - Victoria, Albert, Melbourne, Peel, Duchess of Kent, Baroness Lehzen & more. They aren't just names, they were people like us. I wish more people realised how interesting parts of history can be!
Victoria & Albert's marriage was quite something. Arranged early on & yet became a love match with two people devoted to each other. (I wasn't sure about Plaidy's suggestion that Albert only married out of ambition).
The couple certainly faced a lot - changing prime ministers, 9 children - including the troubled man who would become the next king -, assassination attempts, Crimea eat & so on.
Surely the strength of their marriage played an important part in the growth of the power of Britain.
This book shows why Victoria was so devasted when Albert died - a shadow which hangs over the book. It certainly was a tragedy - & she would face many more years alone afterwards.
But that's another story...
This part of her story is a good one in a compelling time of British history.
April 23, 2020
Another great book by this author. Although it is described as historical fiction, the political events surrounding the marriage of Victoria and Albert are true. The author uses these facts to recreate a living memory of these two. One of the happier royal marriages that created the Victorian Age.
January 2, 2018
I loved this book so much, it was so interesting to see Albert's life before he married Victoria and how he dealt with her tantrum's and things and how he changed her.
February 23, 2021
This is a novel based on the life of Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria. I chose to read it both because many books and movies portray Albert as cold and distant, and it was narrated by one of my favorite readers at the national library service for the blind. I have long suspected that Prince Albert was not well understood, and that is true of many of us quiet, shy people in the world. I enjoyed learning more about his life and his relationship with his wife and children.
March 22, 2013
I was really glad to have unearthed Jean Plaidy in the historical-fiction shelves. I had really had enough of the overrated Tudors and Philippa Gregory has not wrote anything about the Victorian Era just yet.
The book painted a colorful love and life story of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. People always say that "Behind every success (and failure) of a man lies a woman;" I never thought that this also goes the other way around. The first years of Victoria's reign, though very trying, would not be successful without the wisdom and guidance of Albert.
Apart from the couple's love story, the book also spoke of the political and power struggles that the Victorian regime faced. Truly a book that both hopeless romantics and political scientists (such as myself) can enjoy.
I may note a few historical inaccuracies (is William VII the "Bertie" that stammered? Wasn't it George VI?) but I am not really a scholar in the matter so I will keep most of these complains to myself.
4.5 stars
The book painted a colorful love and life story of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. People always say that "Behind every success (and failure) of a man lies a woman;" I never thought that this also goes the other way around. The first years of Victoria's reign, though very trying, would not be successful without the wisdom and guidance of Albert.
Apart from the couple's love story, the book also spoke of the political and power struggles that the Victorian regime faced. Truly a book that both hopeless romantics and political scientists (such as myself) can enjoy.
I may note a few historical inaccuracies (is William VII the "Bertie" that stammered? Wasn't it George VI?) but I am not really a scholar in the matter so I will keep most of these complains to myself.
4.5 stars
October 3, 2017
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec The Queen's Husband?
"Le tome précédent s'étant achevé sur le mariage d'Albert et Victoria, j'avais hâte de les suivre dans leur nouvelle vie ensemble et j'ai enchaîné directement sur celui-ci."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Ce troisième tome se concentre sur la vie de la Reine Victoria, du jour de son mariage avec Albert, à la mort de celui-ci."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"Le début de l'histoire nous fait délaisser quelques temps Victoria pour nous raconter l'enfance et l'adolescence d'Albert. Si j'avoue avoir trouvé cette partie un peu longue et moins captivante, elle est effectivement essentielle à la compréhension du caractère du futur Prince Consort. Et, bien qu'après la lecture de cette série, je n'ai plus beaucoup de sympathie pour lui, je crois que sans cette explication de son passé, je l'aurais profondément détesté. La suite nous dévoile effectivement un homme rigide, qui ne rie jamais, ambitieux et orgueilleux. Il ne resort pas grand chose de l'amour qu'il est censé ressentir pour sa femme et il est particulièrement odieux avec son fils aîné. Heureusement, pour contrebalancer cela, on le plaint aussi parfois du caractère exécrable de sa femme et de sa stupidité constante qu'il doit supporter stoïquement. Une fois encore, je me demande si on ne tombe pas dans la caricature. Si le livre reste toutefois agréable à lire, ce n'est pas vraiment ce que je m'attendais à découvrir en choisissant de lire l'histoire romancée de la vie de Victoria. J'aimais je n'aurais cru qu'en refermant ce tome-ci, mon favori entre tous serait ce pauvre Bertie."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"Autant le tome précédent se répétait sans cesse et traînait en longueur, autant celui-ci, qui pour à peine plus de pages couvre une période quatre fois plus longue au moins, est parfois un peu rapide. D'un chapitre à l'autre, il peut s'être écoulé deux ans. Pourtant, lorsqu'Albert meurt dans les dernières pages, c'est presque un soulagement...
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"Le tome précédent s'étant achevé sur le mariage d'Albert et Victoria, j'avais hâte de les suivre dans leur nouvelle vie ensemble et j'ai enchaîné directement sur celui-ci."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Ce troisième tome se concentre sur la vie de la Reine Victoria, du jour de son mariage avec Albert, à la mort de celui-ci."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"Le début de l'histoire nous fait délaisser quelques temps Victoria pour nous raconter l'enfance et l'adolescence d'Albert. Si j'avoue avoir trouvé cette partie un peu longue et moins captivante, elle est effectivement essentielle à la compréhension du caractère du futur Prince Consort. Et, bien qu'après la lecture de cette série, je n'ai plus beaucoup de sympathie pour lui, je crois que sans cette explication de son passé, je l'aurais profondément détesté. La suite nous dévoile effectivement un homme rigide, qui ne rie jamais, ambitieux et orgueilleux. Il ne resort pas grand chose de l'amour qu'il est censé ressentir pour sa femme et il est particulièrement odieux avec son fils aîné. Heureusement, pour contrebalancer cela, on le plaint aussi parfois du caractère exécrable de sa femme et de sa stupidité constante qu'il doit supporter stoïquement. Une fois encore, je me demande si on ne tombe pas dans la caricature. Si le livre reste toutefois agréable à lire, ce n'est pas vraiment ce que je m'attendais à découvrir en choisissant de lire l'histoire romancée de la vie de Victoria. J'aimais je n'aurais cru qu'en refermant ce tome-ci, mon favori entre tous serait ce pauvre Bertie."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"Autant le tome précédent se répétait sans cesse et traînait en longueur, autant celui-ci, qui pour à peine plus de pages couvre une période quatre fois plus longue au moins, est parfois un peu rapide. D'un chapitre à l'autre, il peut s'être écoulé deux ans. Pourtant, lorsqu'Albert meurt dans les dernières pages, c'est presque un soulagement...
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
August 4, 2019
Besides being historical fiction, which is a genre that aI like to read, I picked up the book because of author, who was one that my grandmother used to read. It is an interesting read, though not gripping, and is easy to pick up after leaving it for a while.
While it is fiction, the narrative is so biographical of the lives and reign of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert that it borders on being narrative non-fiction. It is also a good introduction to the history of the period for readers who are not very familiar with world history.
Queen Victoria’s love for Albert is all consuming to the point that the repetitions about her love and devotion in the narrative become somewhat tedious, though it does show why the Queen wore black after Prince Albert’s death.
I can see why other readers believe that Albert only married Victoria for her money and position, as Plaidy does seem to imply this, but an equally possible interpretation is that he came over time to love the Queen though certainly not as much as he did the eldest daughter, Vicky.
While it is fiction, the narrative is so biographical of the lives and reign of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert that it borders on being narrative non-fiction. It is also a good introduction to the history of the period for readers who are not very familiar with world history.
Queen Victoria’s love for Albert is all consuming to the point that the repetitions about her love and devotion in the narrative become somewhat tedious, though it does show why the Queen wore black after Prince Albert’s death.
I can see why other readers believe that Albert only married Victoria for her money and position, as Plaidy does seem to imply this, but an equally possible interpretation is that he came over time to love the Queen though certainly not as much as he did the eldest daughter, Vicky.
July 26, 2020
En este libro seguimos a Alberto desde que es pequeño: sus problemas familiares y su educación, las expectativas de su familia para él hasta su vida matrimonial con Victoria.
No me cae bien Alberto en este libro. Todo el tiempo se cree superior a todos y piensa cosas muy feas de Victoria. Al final siento que la historia sólo le da la razón y ya, como si Victoria hubiera sido sólo una niña mimada, berrinchuda e ignorante que por suerte pudo dirigir a un país. Creo que ella como reina tuvo que ser muchísimo más por ella misma y no depender por completo de su esposo como la autora lo plantea. Entiendo que Alberto pensara de cierta forma por el contexto: definitivamente en ese tiempo el que mandaba en casa era el esposo y la mujer debía obedecer y ser sumisa, pero estamos hablando de la reina Victoria y Alberto sin ese matrimonio no hubiera conseguido mucho. En fin, es una historia interesante con un poquitito de amor y un poquitito de política. Me hubiera gustado más información de ciertos acontecimientos, pero definitivamente es un libro entretenido.
No me cae bien Alberto en este libro. Todo el tiempo se cree superior a todos y piensa cosas muy feas de Victoria. Al final siento que la historia sólo le da la razón y ya, como si Victoria hubiera sido sólo una niña mimada, berrinchuda e ignorante que por suerte pudo dirigir a un país. Creo que ella como reina tuvo que ser muchísimo más por ella misma y no depender por completo de su esposo como la autora lo plantea. Entiendo que Alberto pensara de cierta forma por el contexto: definitivamente en ese tiempo el que mandaba en casa era el esposo y la mujer debía obedecer y ser sumisa, pero estamos hablando de la reina Victoria y Alberto sin ese matrimonio no hubiera conseguido mucho. En fin, es una historia interesante con un poquitito de amor y un poquitito de política. Me hubiera gustado más información de ciertos acontecimientos, pero definitivamente es un libro entretenido.
October 15, 2017
Loved the third book in Jean Plaidy's Queen Victoria series "The Queen's Husband"!!! :D Being a fan of the tv show "Victoria" it's great to read these as I'm finding out even more about her and the people in her life, while this also being more historically accurate. This one focused more on her marriage to Prince Albert and included more of his backstory. Changed my thinking a bit on him as well as their song Bertie/King Edward VII. Loved all the scenes we still got too with Victoria and Lord Melbourne as it was more than the show even had. Also had things that'll probably happen if the show gets a 3rd season. So sad with all the deaths though but also loved they included so many of the people from the show and that haven't been in the show. Looking forward to reading the final book in the series soon about the rest of her life as a widow.
December 18, 2022
Victoria's character is irritating for me in this bookseries, especially from this third volume. She is presentdd weak and dull. As if she lost her personality after her marriage to Albert. She simply agrees to every single thought of him withou having any own. She cast away anyone for the currently loved ones. It was quite a big disappointmant for me. If she really was such a weak person it was just the bigger disappointment. Her character was all the more irritating as the events went on through the 4 volumes. The last one I couldn't wait to finish.
October 9, 2018
This was the first book on Albert and Victoria I read - and in hard cover no less. For nostalgia reasons alone - as I don’t remember the writing or plot exactly but it generally follows common beats of Victoria’s marriage which are now on film as well - I rate this a 4 stars. I still love this book for reminding me of my tween years. Plus the cover - I had that book.
October 6, 2021
Fascinating to see how Queen Victoria developed from an indulged girl to a mature woman. I found the book easy to read and so informative. However, there’s so much information and history that perhaps it should have been 2 books.
Prince Albert was an interesting character and I loved seeing how he patiently developed his own role
Prince Albert was an interesting character and I loved seeing how he patiently developed his own role
January 7, 2018
I have just downloaded the next book
I began with the Princess of Celle as I had never read about the Georgians I enjoyed them so much i have continued to read through to Victoria. Brilliant way to learn history. Plaidy was a wonderful writer you feel you are there.
I began with the Princess of Celle as I had never read about the Georgians I enjoyed them so much i have continued to read through to Victoria. Brilliant way to learn history. Plaidy was a wonderful writer you feel you are there.
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July 21, 2019The Queens Husband
Thanks again to Jean Plaidy you done it again fantastic book, can't wait to read the last in the series
Thanks again to Jean Plaidy you done it again fantastic book, can't wait to read the last in the series
June 23, 2020
Published 1973. The story of Prince Albert husband to Queen Victoria.
February 20, 2012
I absolutely love Jean Plaidy's books; she brings history alive. I wish she had been my history teacher at school!
"The Queen's Husband", as the title suggests follows the life of Albert, from antisocial, spoiled and frequently-caned child to Queen Victoria's "rock" during her reign. Albert's role underwent huge changes following his marriage into the UK Royal household, and whereas Victoria could often be petulant and short-tempered, Albert was always calm and diplomatic. An ideal marriage!
I would highly recommend this series to anyone interested in history of the monarchy. The characters are engaging and the book is hard to put down. Now I'm off to read the last in the series, "The Widow of Windsor".
"The Queen's Husband", as the title suggests follows the life of Albert, from antisocial, spoiled and frequently-caned child to Queen Victoria's "rock" during her reign. Albert's role underwent huge changes following his marriage into the UK Royal household, and whereas Victoria could often be petulant and short-tempered, Albert was always calm and diplomatic. An ideal marriage!
I would highly recommend this series to anyone interested in history of the monarchy. The characters are engaging and the book is hard to put down. Now I'm off to read the last in the series, "The Widow of Windsor".
August 21, 2014
At last the part of the story I’ve been waiting for – Victoria and Albert together! I thought this one was well developed and I found Victoria’s utter devotion to her Albert, sometimes to the detriment of her children, really interesting. I’d seen things about the working relationship they formed wherein each had an area of total authority, but seeing them navigate everyday life really made the careful balance clear. As the book went on, I began dreading reaching the end as the title of the next one made it clear that Albert would not be joining us for the next installment. Overall, this was a good read though I was hoping for more of the dynamic between the two over historical touchstones.
August 17, 2015
I realize this book is dated, and the subject is also quite dated, but, I read about 3/4 of it before i noticed a pattern--Victoria loses her temper, Albert becomes eerily calm, they make up (speaking constant lovey-dovey platitudes to each other), there's a political problem and then they have another baby. I suppose their life was mostly like this, but after their seventh child, I got so bored that I had to put it down. I love the beginning though--after watching the Young Victoria, it's nice to see someone's interpretation of Albert.
March 28, 2013
This is the third in the Queen Victoria Series by Jane Plaidy, but could very well be a brilliant stand-alone. It chronicles the very human romance and marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. I found that their love story, and their constant development of their marriage, was blended very nicely with the numerous political moments of Victoria's reign. I found it well researched.
I found the description of both characters very human and very easy to connect to.
I found the description of both characters very human and very easy to connect to.
February 2, 2017
Even though I really enjoyed this book, and yes shed a tear at the end. I felt that half way through the book Jean Plaidy started to rush through the years a little quickly and only slowed down for the occasionally historical moment! The ways she tackled the politics of the time got a little confusing at times too.
December 16, 2012
A good read if you're at all interested in Queen Victoria. Plaidy definitely did her research, weaving actual political and cultural events in with Victoria's story, and while the writing is dated once you get into this book (and the series), she brings Victoria and her era to life.
November 1, 2016
I decided to read this after watching ITV's Victoria, I've only ever attempted Jean Plaidy once before. While this was better than the last and was interesting to start with, it becomes incredibly mundane incredibly quickly. Really 2.5/5 stars.
August 22, 2009
Victoria Holt
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September 14, 2013interesting and sad
May 20, 2016
Think so far this is my faviourite as the queen has her children and you see them grow up.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews