Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort had nine children who despite their very different characters, remained a close-knit family. Inevitably, as they married into European royal families their loyalties were divided and their lives dominated by political controversy. This is not only the story of their lives in terms of world impact, but also of their own personal achievements, their individual contributions to public life in Britain and overseas and in their roles as the children of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort. John Van der Kiste has made a particular study of British and European royalty. His previous books include William and Mary, Dearest Vicky, Darling Fritz, Kaiser Wilhelm II, The Romanovs, Once a Grand Duchess (with Coryne Hall) and Childhood at Court 1819-1914. He lives in Devon.