There are two Albert Medals, both of which were instituted in the 1860s in the memory of Queen Victoria's husband, HRH The Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, who died in 1861.

The first Albert Medal is a British civilian decoration which was instituted in 1866 to recognise acts of lifesaving (at first at sea, but extended to lifesaving on land in 1877). The Albert Medal was discontinued in 1971, when recipients were invited to exchange the award for the George Cross.

The second Albert Medal has been presented annually by the Royal Society of Arts since 1864 to acknowledge distinguished merit in promoting Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Nowadays, it is presented to individuals, organisation and groups that lead progress and create positive change within contemporary society in areas that are linked closely to the Society's broad agenda.

Albert Medal for lifesaving

The Albert Medal for lifesaving was instituted by Royal Warrant on 7 March 1866 and discontinued in 1971. The medal was named in memory of the Prince Albert and was originally awarded to recognize saving life at sea. The original medal had a blue ribbon 5/8" (16mm) wide with 2 white stripes. A further Royal Warrant in 1867 created two classes of Albert Medal, the first in gold and bronze and the second in bronze, both enamelled in blue, and the ribbon of the first class changed to 1 3/8" (35mm) wide with 4 white stripes.

In 1877, the medal was extended to cover saving life on land and from this point there are two medals with different inscriptions to depict which they were awarded for. The land version was enamelled in red, with a red ribbon. The titles of the medals changed in 1917, the gold "Albert Medal, first class" becoming the "Albert Medal in gold" and the bronze "Albert Medal, second class" being known as just the "Albert Medal".

The Albert Medal in gold was abolished in 1949, being replaced by the George Cross, and the second class of Albert Medal (in bronze) was only awarded posthumously. In 1971, the Albert Medal was discontinued (along with the Edward Medal) and all living recipients were invited to exchange the award for the George Cross. From the total of 64 eligible to exchange, 49 took up the option.

The medal was made of gold (although early examples are gold and bronze), which was enamelled blue. Minitures of all four types are known to exist, with the gold awards believed to be gilt.

Awards made

External links

• Albert Medal and Edward Medal

Albert Medal of the RSA

The Albert Medal of the Royal Society of Arts was instituted in 1864 as a memorial to Prince Albert, President of the Society for 18 years. It was first awarded in 1864 for distinguished merit in promoting Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. In presenting the Medal, the Society now looks to acknowledge individuals, organisation and groups that lead progress and create positive change within contemporary society in areas that are linked closely to the Society's broad agenda.

Through the Albert Medal, the Society acknowledges the profound creativity and innovation of those that work to tackle some of the world's intractable problems. Each year, the RSA identifies topical issues that confront modern society by asking the Society's Fellowship to suggest problems/subjects linked to the Society's programme. These proposals are reviewed and recommendations made to the Trustees and Council who are responsible for selecting one upon which the Fellowship will be asked to nominate worthy recipients.

External links

• List of recipients of the RSA Albert Medal, 1864-2003
• The RSA Albert Medal 2004