Albany's Princess Royal Harbour was named by British Explorer George Vancouver in 1791. He chose to honour Princess Charlotte, Queen of Wurttemberg and eldest daughter of King George III. The local Minang - Noongar people call it 'Mammang Koort' meaning 'The Heart of the Wild Whale'.

Recognising the strategic importance of Albany and it's magnificent harbours, construction began in 1891 on the Princess Royal Fortress 'The Forts', paid for by the British Imperial government and the various Australian colonies.