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10. Victoria’s Request For an Effigy Could Not Be Followed
When Prince Albert died, he was buried in a mausoleum at Frogmore Estate near Windsor Castle. His wife had the shrine built upon his death, using her own money and sparing entirely no expense. Queen Victoria commissioned a life-sized effigy to be made of him and placed atop his coffin. She also ordered an image of herself so that she could be assured that the two would be united in burial. Both of the sculptures showed the royal figures lying down, with Albert facing his young, besotted bride. The prince’s effigy was immediately placed on top of his coffin, and Queen Victoria’s was put into storage until she should join him in death.
Despite the requests made in her 12-page instruction manual, which Dr. James Reid ensured were tediously followed, this request was unable to be supported. The effigy had been kept in storage within the walls of Windsor Castle and could not be found at the time of her burial. It was located several months later and eventually placed on top of her sarcophagus. The image of the queen and her beloved husband now lay engraved in stone for all posterity to see. Today, the memorial is open to the public.