The Life & Reign of Britain's Longest-Ruling Monarch
Queen Victoria is the second longest-reigning British monarch in history thus far, ruling over the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for 63 years. Ascending to the throne in 1837 at 18, her reign oversaw immense changes as Britain expanded its colonial empire and underwent major political and industrial revolutions. Victoria became an iconic figure of her time. This is the story of her life and legacy.
Early Life & Ascension to the Throne
Born Alexandrina Victoria on 24 May 1819, Queen Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her father died shortly after her birth, leaving her to be raised by her German mother. As a member of the House of Hanover, she was fifth in line to inherit the British crown.
After King William IV died childless in 1837, the 18-year-old Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom. Her coronation occurred the following year on 28 June 1838, establishing her as the first monarch to live at Buckingham Palace. Young, sheltered and unfamiliar with court protocols, Victoria came to rely heavily on her prime minister Lord Melbourne as a close mentor in her early reign.
Assuming Control & the Victorian Era
The Victorian era refers to Queen Victoria's rule over Britain from 1837 to 1901. As an increasingly powerful constitutional monarch, Victoria sought to strengthen her control over the government following Melbourne's resignation in 1841. She developed a rocky relationship with the next Prime Minister Robert Peel whom she found rigid and unsympathetic.
Her marriage to her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg in 1840 proved a happy union that produced nine children. Albert supported Victoria and influenced her views on abolitionism, labour reform and education. After Albert's untimely death from typhoid in 1861, a grief-stricken Victoria adopted a far less public role as she mourned her beloved husband.
The Victorian era saw tremendous technological progress and Britain's emergence as the world's dominant economic and colonial power. Victoria came to symbolise the moral reforms and family values of the rapidly industrialising British Empire. Although removed from daily politics, she actively engaged with foreign policy, including the Afghanistan and South African conflicts.
Diamond Jubilee & Declining Health
In 1897, Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee marking 60 prosperous years as Queen. In her final years, she engaged more openly with public affairs like Ireland's home rule. However, personal tragedies continued affecting Victoria including her son Prince Eddy's death and daughter Princess Beatrice's unhappy marriage.
Suffering from increasing ill health and failing eyesight, Victoria retreated from most public duties in her late seventies. She passed away from a cerebral haemorrhage on 22 January 1901 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by family. Her 63-year reign remains one of the longest in British history.
Contested Legacy as Queen & Empress
Queen Victoria presided over a time of immense expansion and change for the British Empire. Territorial control increased by a quarter during her reign including areas like India, Canada, Australia and much of Africa. This imperialism sparked criticism of over-exploitation and authoritarianism abroad.
At home, Victoria opposed electoral reform and feared real democracy. But she came to represent morality, duty and family values to the British public who revered her stature. The elaborate mourning following her death signalled the end of an era.
Victoria helped shape constitutional monarchy by gradually embracing her role as sovereign. She maintained political influence informally through correspondence with ministers. Her name became synonymous with the period of progress and reform, albeit mainly benefiting the elites of society.
While a conflicting character, Queen Victoria's exceptional reign reinforced popular support for the British monarchy. She steered an ancient institution into the modern world. Today Victoria stands amongst Britain's most famous rulers, representing an age of greatness. Her global empire and values endured well into the 20th century.
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