Alexandrina Victoria was born on 24th May 1819 the only child of the Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. In 1830 William IV became King. William and Victoria, the only surviving grandchild of George III, became heir to the throne.
Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom on 20th June 1837. She was crowned on 18th May 1838 and took up residence in Buckingham Palace, London.
In 1840 Victoria married her cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. Although he was never popular with the British people Victoria adored him and relied on him for political advice. Albert had no political role so became active in the arts, science and technology. He arranged the Great Exhibition of 1851 – where the world’s leading industrial and cultural developments were shown.
Victoria and Albert had nine children:
Victoria born 1840 – married the emperor of Germany Friedrich III
Albert Edward born 1841 – became Edward VII married Alexandra of Denmark
Alice born 1843 – married Ludwig IV, Grand Duke of Hesse
Alfred born 1844 – Duke of Edinburgh married Marie of Russia
Helena born 1846 – married Christian of Schleswig-Holstein
Louise born 1848 – married John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll
Arthur born 1850 – Duke of Connaught married Louise Margaret of Prussia
Leopold born 1853 – Duke of Albany married Helen of Waldeck-Pyrmont
Beatrice born 1857 – married Henry of Battenberg
On 14th December 1861 Albert died of Typhus and Victoria sank into a deep depression. From the time of Albert’s death to her own death she remained in mourning and only wore black. She withdrew from public life and here popularity declined. She refused all attempts to come out of seclusion until the late 1870s. Her popularity was somewhat restored when she was crowned Empress of India in 1877.
The reign of Queen Victoria saw many changes in British society brought about by the Reform Laws, the expansion of the electorate and the great strides made in industry and technology. She survived seven assassination attempts and was the first monarch to use a locomotive train.
Victoria celebrated here golden jubilee in 1887 and her diamond jubilee in 1897. She died on January 22nd 1901 having reigned for 64 years.
