Queen Victoria ( 1819 – 1901) British monarch 1837 – 1901


Introduction

Queen Victoria was one of the longest-serving rulers of the United Kingdom. The period of her reign is also called the Victorian Era. Her full name is Alexandrina Victoria. She was often called the grandmother of Europe because of so many relatives and relations with monarchs.

Queen Victoria

Description: Queen Victoria, Franz Xaver Winterhalter studio, 1843, German/English painting.

Birth and Family

Queen Vitoria was taken to birth on 24 May 1819 at Kensington Place, in London. She was the only born of her parents Edward, Duke of Kent and Victoria Maria Louisa of Saxe-Coburg. Edward was the fourth son of King George III.

Heir Presumptive

After the death of her father in 1820 and her mother, Victoria became the guardian of Alexandrina. After the crowing of King George IV, they were isolated from the court. Her uncle Prince Leopold supported them financially.

  • In 1830, when Victoria was 11, she becomes heir clearly, when her uncle George IV died. At that point, the council accorded her pay and her Uncle William IV became King from (1830-1837).

  • She remained isolated, without any companion. He has completed her studies at home with a teacher. Her Uncle Leopold taught her politics.

  • King William IV offered her a separate place and income when the queen turned 18 years old, but her mother denied that.

Accession

After the death of King William IV without any heir. Victoria has crowned the Queen of Great Britain on 20 June 1837. After becoming queen she faced her first crisis when her mother's lady in waiting Lady Flora was pregnant by her mother’s adviser. Queen excluded her mother from the inner circle after this incident but was criticised by the opponents.

Queen trialled her royal power when mentors and friends of the queen the Lord of Melbourne, William Lamb, and whig bring down.

Marriage

King Leopold had advocated for his cousin Prince Albert of Gotha and Saxe-Coburg. Queen met him for the first time when both were 17 years. The Queen fell for him and proposed to him for Marriage. They married on 10 Feb 1840. They had nine children five daughters and 4 sons.

Years with Albert

Albert was the price of Consort and Alexandria was queen. They share equal responsibilities. Albert was a great artist and painter. She was helped by Albert in the transition to the new government. The queen’s role was limited under PM Robert Peel. Albert helped the Queen in handling the state through a “dual Monarchy” for twenty years. The queen involved herself in endowments. They had actively participated in foreign affairs, which were opposed by Foreign ministers Lord Palmerston and Viscount Palmerston. This led to the thought of Queen and King Albert being more copious and hostile.

Widowhood

Prince Albert died on 14 December 1861, with the death of Prince Albert the dual monarchy ends. After his death the British monarchy changed a lot, the queen isolated herself from society and went into depression. She never runs from her duties. She kept herself involved in political matters but privately. Furthermore, she was also criticised for her isolation and was persuaded to open parliament in 1866. Due to this republican movement started.

Later Years

With time and support from the family and PM Benjamin Disraeli, she resumed her political duties during 1874-1880. Her supremacy chose peace and reconciliation among states. She also gave orders to her ministers not to meddle in the Russia and Prussia war. She sent a letter to German Emperor to avert the France-German war. Her popularity increased during the 1870s and 1857.

During her reign were various reforms made through a series of acts and politics moved from emperor to constituency. Despite the constitution, she always showed her monarchy to higher authorities in times behind closed doors.

Legacy

Queen’s reign has been marked as a good and bad time. She was one of the longestserving queens of Britain. Her support for Germans had decreased her popularity. Her influence during her reign named as Victorian Era. Furthermore, her relationship with her son weakens the Royal Monarchy in descendants in British.

  • Poets, artists, and writers flourished during the reign of Queen Victoria.

  • Many Social and political movements also started in the queen's era.

  • For the first time in the history of Britain, no pandemic occurred.

  • Many discoveries and research did in the medicinal field.

Title, Styles, Honours and Arms

  • Queen Victoria was styled “Her Majesty Victoria” of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of Faith, and empress of India.

  • Queen Victoria was honoured by “The Royal Family Order of King George IV”, “Royal Order Victoria and Albert”, “Founder and Sovereign of the Royal Red Cross”, the Albert Medal of the Royal Society of Arts and many more.

  • The queen used the Royal coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

Family

Queen Alexandria Victoria married Prince Albert. She had nine children named Victoria, Albert, Bertie, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold, and Beatrice. She had a convoluted relationship with her children. Some historians believed that she was disrespected, and aggrieved by her children. While some believe her as the grandmother of Europe.

Conclusion

Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years in England, the longest-serving queen until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her by reining 70 years in the UK. After the death of her husband, she isolated herself from society but was never set back from her duties in politics. She died on 22 January 1901.

FAQs

Q1. Where was Queen Victoria Buried?

Ans. Queen Victoria Frogmore Royal Mausoleum was buried at Windsor in England.

Q2. For how long did Queen Vitoria reign?

Ans. The queen reigned for 63 years seven months and two days from 20 June 1837 to 22 January 1901.

Q3. What is the published work of Queen Victoria?

Ans. She published leaves, Letters from the Journal of Our Life in the Highland.

Updated on: 30-Jan-2023

131 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements