Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Born at Schloss Rosenau near Coburg, Germany. His parents' marriage was miserable and his mother was banished from court when he was five. He never saw her again.

Married Queen Victoria at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. Victoria proposed to him. As a woman and a queen, she was the only one who could. They had nine children in 17 years.

Riding in a carriage with Victoria when John Francis fired a pistol at them at point-blank range. The bullet missed. It was the second assassination attempt on Victoria that year. Albert shielded her with his body.

Opened the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park. His idea, his planning, his fundraising. 6 million visitors in 5 months. It showcased industrial achievement from 25 countries and turned a profit of 186,000 pounds.

Formally granted the title Prince Consort by Victoria. He'd been her chief political adviser for years, reading dispatches, drafting letters, and mediating between the queen and her ministers. Parliament still never fully accepted him.

Died at Windsor Castle at 42, probably of typhoid fever or stomach cancer. Victoria wore black for the next 40 years. She kept his rooms exactly as he left them, with hot water brought to his dressing room every evening until her own death.