Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III. Her father died almost immediately after her birth thus she became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in succession – George IV, Frederick Duke of York, and William IV – had no legitimate children who survived.
Her mother, the Duchess Kent, exerted a powerful influence on the young monarch. She was eventually able to break and and forge her own path with the help of her husband and Prime Minister.
She became Queen of England four weeks after her 18th birthday.
Queen Victoria was the last monarch to reign in the House of Hanover. During World War I the royal family took the name Windsor to distance themselves from their German ancestry.
Queen Victoria was mostly of German descent.
The monarch married Prince Albert of Germany on February 10, 1940. He was her first cousin and was one of the only socially acceptable suitors in the world. She could not marry anyone of even a slightly lower social status.
The Victorian era is known for it’s prudishness and conservatism. Queen Victoria was actually very vibrant and had a wicked sense of humor. Prince Albert was the more conservative of the couple.
She wore a white wedding dress and ushered in the world wide trend of brides wearing white.
Queen Victoria was actually christened a Alexandrina Victoria but was styled as Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Kent.
The Queen’s first language was German. German was the language of her mother and governess. She also spoke English, French and Hindustani.
She was the first to use the title Empress of India.
Initially it’s believed that Victoria was more in love with Albert than he was with her. The marriage lated proved to be a complete love match.
Prince Albert was known a the Prince Consort. Queen Victoria’s advisors advised her against naming him the King Consort.
Victoria and Albert had nine children. Most of them married into Europe’s royal family. She is still known as the Grandmother of Europe.
The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Phillip are both great-great grandchildren of Queen Victoria.
After Albert’s death in 1861 she lived in seclusion until the late 1860’s She was widely criticized for her decision by a public that had formerly adored her. Eventually she regained her public’s adoration and became an endearing symbol of the empire.
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to travel by train. The progress in transportation allowed she and Prince Albert to travel extensively throughout the Empire. Her first train trip was in 1842.
Queen Victoria’s reign moved a great deal of power away from the the monarchy. Still, she managed to keep the status and influence of the monarch.
Victorian died on the Isle or Wight in the House of Osborne. She had the longest reign in British history. The Isle of Wight is a mall English Island.
Queen Victoria reigned for sixty three years. He reign ended upon her death in 1901.
