Upon their first meeting on the 18th May 1836, the Princess Alexandrina Victoria describes Cousin Albert as “…extremely handsome [and] the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful…”. A description which becomes almost a mantra to Victoria after Albert’s tragic death in 1861. The happy couple idealised family life and championed educational reforms and new technology. Yet, as Charlotte Hodgman reveals, things weren’t quite as perfect as they were portrayed and there was more to their relationship than meets the eye. Extensive research has been conducted on the lives of these two characteristic royals, both as a married couple and as a ruling pair.