Queen Victoria

"Victoria of the United Kingdom" and "Victoria I" redirect here. For other people, see Victoria of the United Kingdom (disambiguation). For and, see Queen Victoria (disambiguation). For other uses, see Victoria (disambiguation).

Victoria
Portrait by Alexander Bassano, 1882
Queen of the United Kingdom
Reign	20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901
Coronation	28 June 1838
Predecessor	William IV
Successor	Edward VII
Empress of India
Reign	1 May 1876 – 22 January 1901
Imperial Durbar	1 January 1877
Predecessor	Position established
Successor	Edward VII
Born	(1819-05-24)24 May 1819 Kensington Palace, London, England
Died	22 January 1901(1901-01-22) (aged 81) Osborne House, Isle of Wight, England
Burial	4 February 1901 Royal Mausoleum, Frogmore, Windsor
Spouse	Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha ​ ​ (m. 1840; died 1861)​
Issue	Victoria, German Empress Edward VII Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg
House	Hanover
Father	Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn
Mother	Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Religion	Protestant
Signature

Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901. She was also the Empress of India from 1876 until 1901. Her reign was 63 years, longer than any of her predecessors until she was surpassed by her great-great granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II.

She was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son of King George III and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. After the deaths of her father and grandfather in 1820, she was raised under close supervision by her mother. She ascended the throne at the age of 18 after her uncle, William IV died.

In 1840, She married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and they had nine children together. After her husband's death in 1861, Victoria went into deep mourning and avoided the public. In 1901, Victoria died at Osborne House, she was 81 years old. She was later succeeded by her son eldest son King Edward VII.

Biography

Early Life

Queen Victoria was born as Victoria Alexandrina on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace in London. She was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her father died when she was only eight months old. Her mother took on the responsibility of raising her in a relatively isolated and controlled environment, as the Duchess was cautious about potential influences from the court and public life.

Victoria’s early childhood was marked by a close relationship with her mother, but her upbringing was also characterized by strict rules. Her mother was very protective, which led to a somewhat sheltered upbringing. Victoria had a governess named Louise Lehzen, who played a significant role in her education and early development. Lehzen was known for her strict discipline but also for fostering Victoria’s intellectual growth.

Education

Victoria's education was carefully designed to prepare her for her future role as queen. She was educated at home under the guidance of her mother and her governess. The curriculum included a broad range of subjects such as languages including, French, German, Italian, history, literature, and the arts. Victoria also received instruction in music and drawing.

Her education was not only academic but also focused on moral and ethical values, which were crucial for her future role as a monarch. She was taught to read, write, and understand state affairs from an early age. This rigorous education helped her develop a deep sense of duty and responsibility that would define her reign.

Family

Victoria's family dynamics were complex. Her relationship with her mother was both nurturing and controlling. Her mother was deeply involved in her upbringing and often made decisions that affected her social and political life. Victoria’s father’s death left a significant gap in her early life, but her relationship with her mother and the support from her maternal family provided stability. Victoria had one older half-sister, Princess Feodora, from her mother’s first marriage. Although their relationship was somewhat distant, they maintained a close connection.

Marriage

Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on February 10, 1840. The match was arranged to strengthen ties between British and European royalty.

The marriage was based on mutual respect and affection. Albert was a devoted partner, providing Victoria with counsel and support throughout her reign. Together, they worked on various projects, including reforms in education and the arts. Their relationship was characterized by a deep emotional bond, and they supported each other through personal and political challenges.

Children

Victoria and Albert had nine children, whose marriages connected many European royal families. Their children were:

1. Victoria (1840-1901): She married Crown Prince Frederick III of Prussia and became the German Empress consort and Queen consort of Prussia. Her marriage established strong ties between Britain and Germany.

2. Edward (1841-1910): He ascended the throne after Victoria’s death and became King of the United Kingdom. His reign marked the beginning of the Edwardian Era and was characterized by significant social and political changes.

3. Alice (1843-1878): She married Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse, and became Grand Duchess consort of Hesse. Her marriage linked British royalty with the German states.

4. Alfred (1844-1900): He became the Duke of Edinburgh and later the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Alfred had a career in the Royal Navy.

5. Helena (1846-1923): She married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein. Helena was known for her charitable work and support of various social causes.

6. Louise (1848-1939): She married John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll. Louise was involved in various social and charitable activities.

7. Arthur (1850-1942): He served in the British Army and became the Duke of Connaught. His military career and public service were notable aspects of his life.

8. Leopold (1853-1884): He became the Duke of Albany and suffered from hemophilia. His early death was a great sorrow for Victoria.

9. Beatrice (1857-1944): She married Prince Henry of Battenberg and devoted much of her life to caring for her mother and supporting various charitable endeavors.

Reign

Victoria ascended to the throne on June 20, 1837, at the age of 18, following the death of her uncle, King William IV. Her reign, known as the Victorian Era, lasted for over 63 years, making it one of the longest in British history. The era was marked by significant changes and advancements in Britain, including the Industrial Revolution, which brought about technological innovations, economic growth, and urbanization.

Victoria’s reign saw the expansion of the British Empire, making Britain a global power. The period was also characterized by social and political reforms, such as improvements in public health, education, and labor laws. Victoria’s strong sense of duty and commitment to her role as monarch helped maintain stability during a time of rapid change.

Death and Legacy

Queen Victoria passed away on January 22, 1901, at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, at the age of 81. Her death marked the end of the Victorian Era and the beginning of the Edwardian Era, with her eldest son, Albert Edward, becoming King Edward VII.

Victoria’s legacy is profound. Her reign was a period of significant progress and transformation in Britain. She became a symbol of stability and continuity, and her influence extended beyond Britain to many European royal families due to her children’s marriages. Victoria is remembered for her strong leadership, her role in shaping modern Britain, and her impact on the British monarchy. Her descendants continue to play prominent roles in European royalty, cementing her place in history as a key figure in shaping the modern world.

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
Victoria, Princess Royal	21 November 1840	5 August 1901	Married 1858, Crown Prince Frederick III of Prussia; had children.
Edward VII	9 November 1841	6 May 1910	Married 1863, Princess Alexandra of Denmark; had children.
Princess Alice	25 April 1843	14 December 1878	Married 1862, Ludwig IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine; had children.
Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Edinburgh	6 August 1844	31 July 1900	Married 1874, Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia; had children.
Princess Helena	25 May 1846	9 June 1923	Married 1866, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg; had children.
Princess Louise	18 March 1848	3 December 1939	Married 1871, John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll; no children.
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn	1 May 1850	16 January 1942	Married 1879, Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia; had children.
Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany	7 April 1853	28 March 1884	Married 1882, Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont; had children.
Princess Beatrice	14 April 1857	26 October 1944	Married 1885, Prince Henry of Battenberg; had children

Ancestors

Victoria of the United Kingdom's ancestors in three generations

Victoria of the United Kingdom	Father: Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn	Paternal Grandfather: George III of the United Kingdom	Paternal Great-grandfather: Frederick, Prince of Wales
			Paternal Great-grandmother: Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
		Paternal Grandmother: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz	Paternal Great-grandfather: Charles Louis Frederick, Duke of Mecklenburg-Mirow
			Paternal Great-grandmother: Magdalena Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst
	Mother: Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld	Maternal Grandfather: Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld	Maternal Great-grandfather: Ernest Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
			Maternal Great-grandmother: Duchess Sophia Antonia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
		Maternal Grandmother: Princess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf	Maternal Great-grandfather: Ernest Frederick I, Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen
			Maternal Great-grandmother: Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach

Other websites

• Queen Victoria Citizendium