Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1837-1901) and Empress of India (1876-1901). Her reign was the longest of any monarch in British history and came to be known as the Victorian era. She reigned for exactly sixty-three years, seven months, and two days (June 20, 1837 – January 22, 1901).
Early life
Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was born on the 24 May 1819 at Kensington Palace, London.
You can learn more about the birthplace of Queen Victoria here:https://www.royal.uk/royal-residences-kensington-palace
Victoria was christened ‘Alexandrina Victoria’. However, from birth she was formally addressed as Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Kent.
Victoria was part of a family of Germans, mainly called George, who came from Hanover. Sadly, her father died only eight months after she was born. Her first language was German. At three years old she learnt to speak English and French. Later she learnt to speak Hindustani because she was ruler of India. Victoria was taught at home. As well as learning languages, Victoria studied history, geography, and the Bible. She was taught to play the piano and learned how to paint. She loved singing and going to the opera.
The Coronation
Queen Victoria came to the throne when she was only 18 years of age on June 20, 1837, upon the death of her uncle William IV who had no legitimate children. Her coronation was a year later on 28 June 1838.
Marriage
At the age of 21, Victoria married her cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, a German Prince. They married on the 10th February 1840 at the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace.
Family life
Victoria had nine children, 40 grand-children and 37 great-grandchildren, including four future sovereigns of England: Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII and George VI.
Her husband Albert died in 1861 at the young age of 42. She mourned his death for almost 10 years and for the rest of her reign she wore black.
… to be cut off in the prime of life… when I had hoped with such instinctive certainty that God never would part us, and would let us grow old together … – is too awful, too cruel!
extract from a letter by Queen Victoria to her uncle King Leopold of Belgium following the death of Prince Albert, who died from typhoid on 14 December 1861
Queen Victoria maintained a detailed Journal throughout her life. After her death, her diaries were edited by her youngest daughter Princess Beatrice, at Queen Victoria’s request. They are now contained in 111 large manuscript volumes.
Extracts relating to some of the key events in her life can be read here: https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/media/victoria.pdf
Later life
In her lifetime, she survived seven assassination attempts. Various people tried to shoot Queen Victoria on seven different occasions. A further incident may not actually have been an assassination attempt. Ex-British Army officer, Robert Pate, well-known for his odd behaviour, approached the monarch and smacked her on the head with his cane causing a black eye. Pate was sentenced to seven years in the penal colony of Tasmania.
Illustrated London News, 11 March 1882
Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, aged 81 years.
She is buried in a mausoleum at Frogmore, Windsor with her beloved husband, Albert.
You can learn more about her mausoleum here: https://www.royal.uk/royal-mausoleum-frogmore
Queen Victoria was succeeded by her eldest son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. He became King Edward VII.
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