It was realized by hei marriage would help e: the throne more securely advisers that abolish her on ud pressure was brought to bear upon her to choose a Consort. Although disinclined to marry, she consented to meet her German cousin: Prince Ernst and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prince Albert the choice most favoured in circles.
The Queen's description in her diary of her meeting with them is typically frank. "I went to the top of the staircase and received my two dear cousins, Ernst and Albert, whom I found grown changed and embellished. It was with emotion that I beheld Albert who is beautiful.
It soon became evident that Victoria and Albert had fallen in love with each other. What was to have been a diplomatic marriage turned out to be one of the most perfect romances in history
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.