QUEEN VICTORIA
INTRODUCTION
Queen Victoria, born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from June 20, 1837, until her death on January 22, 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 7 months, known as the Victorian Era, was longer than that of any of her predecessors and marked a period of great cultural, political, industrial, and scientific change in the United Kingdom.
Early Life and Ascension to the Throne
Birth and Family Background
- Born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace, London.
- Daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (fourth son of King George III) and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.
- Her father died when she was just eight months old, leaving her upbringing under the strict supervision of her mother and her comptroller, Sir John Conroy. Becoming Queen
- Victoria was fifth in line to the throne at birth, but a series of royal deaths left her as the heir.
- She became queen at age 18 on June 20, 1837, following the death of her uncle, King William IV.
- Since British law barred a female monarch from ruling Hanover (due to Salic Law), her accession ended the personal union between Britain and Hanover.
The Victorian Era: A Reign of Transformation
Political Influence and Constitutional Monarchy
- Unlike her predecessors, Victoria ruled as a constitutional monarch, with real political power shifting to Parliament.
- She worked closely with prime ministers like Lord Melbourne, Robert Peel, Benjamin Disraeli, and William Gladstone.
- Her relationship with Gladstone was strained, but she admired Disraeli, who made her Empress of India in 1876. Industrial Revolution and Empire Expansion
- The Victorian Era saw rapid industrialization, railway expansion, and technological advancements (telegraph, steam engines).
- The British Empire reached its peak, covering 1/4 of the world’s landmass, including India, Canada, Australia, and parts of Africa.
- Events like the Great Exhibition of 1851 (organized by Prince Albert) showcased Britain’s industrial and imperial dominance. Social and Cultural Changes
- Victorian society was marked by strict moral values, emphasizing family, duty, and propriety.
- Reforms in education (1870 Education Act), labor laws, and women’s rights began during her reign.
- Literature flourished with authors like Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, and George Eliot.
Marriage and Family Life
Love Match with Prince Albert
- Victoria married her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840.
- Their marriage was a rare love match in royal history, and Albert became her closest advisor.
- They had nine children, who married into European royal families, earning Victoria the nickname “Grandmother of Europe.” Albert’s Influence and Early Death
- Albert promoted science, education, and the arts, helping organize the Great Exhibition (1851).
- His sudden death in 1861 (from typhoid fever) devastated Victoria, who entered decades of mourning.
- She wore black for the rest of her life and withdrew from public appearances for years.
Later Reign and Legacy
The Widowed Queen
- After Albert’s death, Victoria relied heavily on her Scottish servant John Brown, sparking rumors of a close relationship.
- She gradually returned to public life, influenced by Disraeli’s imperial policies.
- Celebrated her Golden Jubilee (1887) and Diamond Jubilee (1897), marking 50 and 60 years on the throne.
Death and Succession
- Victoria died on January 22, 1901, at Osborne House, Isle of Wight.
- She was succeeded by her eldest son, Edward VII, beginning the Edwardian Era. Lasting Impact
- The British monarchy’s modern image was shaped during her reign.
- The term “Victorian” symbolizes morality, industrial progress, and imperial ambition.
- Many institutions, cities (Victoria, BC; Victoria Falls), and the Victoria Cross (highest military honor) are named after her.
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