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Epidemics can affect anyone, regardless of their background.

The so-called ‘Russian Flu’ epidemic killed about 1 million people across Europe in 1889-93 – including the second-in-line to the British throne.

The sudden death of Prince Albert Victor, the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, shocked the nation. Prince Albert Victor was the Prince William of his time. Aged just 28, and previously in good health, he died in January 1892 just weeks before his much anticipated wedding. People of all classes mourned the passing of ‘Prince Eddy’, as he was nicknamed. His death changed the line of succession to the British throne.

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This picture of the dead Prince Albert Victor appeared as part of a tribute in the Illustrated London News. Sharing images like this was a common way to commemorate the dead.

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Queen Victoria’s mourning gown, 1892

This mourning bodice and skirt were made for Queen Victoria after the death of her grandson, Prince Albert Victor (pictured above), from Russian Flu. The thick band of black mourning crape silk suggests this outfit was designed for the very earliest period of her mourning for him. Clothing and other symbols were used to show the mourners’ sadness.

Handkerchiefs, 1892

These handkerchiefs were made to commemorate Prince Albert Victor after his death. The prince was mourned by people of all classes. One handkerchief is quite poorly made so would have been a relatively cheap souvenir. The other includes famous people who also died during the Russian Flu outbreak.

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