Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had nine children: Victoria, Princess Royal (born 1840); Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (born 1841); Alice (born 1843); Alfred (born 1844); Helena (born 1846); Louise (born 1848); Arthur (born 1850); Leopold (born 1853) and Beatrice (born 1857).
The couple believed that their children should be well educated; but a family life of recreation and amusement was also very important to both the Queen and Prince Albert, with Albert in particular finding much pleasure in the company of his children.