Courtship and Marriage

Victorias Uncle Leopold had long favored his German nephew Prince Albert first cousin to Victoria as the perfect candidate for marriage to the queen. When the prince and Victoria had met two years earlier, she had been impressed by Alberts looks and demeanor. Upon meeting with him a second time in October 1839, Victoria seemed smitten. Within days, she proposed to him (protocol would not allow him to propose to her), and the engagement was announced.Even before the wedding a debate arose as to what title Prince Albert should hold. Queen Victoria preferred King Consort, so that Albert could rule by her side, but members of Parliament were opposed to giving that power to a foreigner. Parliament decided to award the prince no rank or title whatsoever; he was simply made a British subject. Prince Albert was immensely disappointed, and the queen was furious, but could not oppose the decision.The wedding was held on February 10, 1840. Despite rainy weather, large crowds lined the streets to watch the procession from Buckingham Palace. Later, the crowd cheered as the newlymarried couple rode past in their carriage.