\paperw3360 \margr0\margl0\ATXph16380 \plain \fs20 \f1 \fs22 Queen Victoria adored her husband, Prince Albert, and was immensely proud of his triumph at the \b \cf4 \ATXht10861000 Great Exhibition\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 of 1851. The following extract from her Journal for that year reveals the sovereign, the woman and the event:\par
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\i May I [1851]. This day is one of the greatest and most glorious days of our lives, with which
to my pride and joy, the name of my dearly beloved Albert is for ever associated! It is a day which makes my heart swell with thankfulness. We began the day with tenderest greetings and congratulations on the birth of our dear little Arthur. He was bro
ught in at breakfast and looked beautiful with blue ribbon on his frock...\par
The Park presented a wonderful spectacle, crowds streaming through it, - carriages and troops passing, quite like the Coronation, and for \ATXul1024 me\ATXul0 , the same anxi
ety. The day was bright and all bustle and excitement. At half past eleven the whole procession in 9 State carriage was set in motion... The Green Park and Hyde Park were one mass of densely crowded human beings... A little rain fell, just as we star
ted, but before we neared the Crystal Palace, the sun shone and gleamed upon the gigantic edifice, upon which the flags of every nation were flying... The sight as we came to the centre ... facing the beautiful crystal fountain was magic and impressive
. The tremendous cheering, the joy expressed in every face, the vastness of the building, with all its decoration and exhibits, the sound of the organ and my beloved husband, the creator of this peace festival æuniting the industry and art of all nation
s of the earthÆ, all this was indeed moving, and a day to live for ever. God bless my dearest Albert, and my dear Country, which has shown itself so great today.
