Queen Victoria

The Queen in her early reign

Young Victoria receives the call to Queenhood

          Queen Victoria, born on May24 1819, was the queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901. She ruled for nearly 63 years, which is the longest reign in British history. Her 63 years reign is also known as the Victoria Era. When Queen Victoria was on throne, the United Kingdom was at it’s height of power. It had colonies all over the world and it achieved tremendous industrial expansion at home.

          Queen Victoria was born at Kingston Palace in London. She was the only child of Edward, Duke of Kent and Victoria Maria Louisa. Victoria was raised by her mother when her father died before she turned one year old.

          King William IV, who was Victoria’s uncle, died on June 20 1837. Since he didn’t have any children, so Victoria  succeeded to the throne. On June 28 1838, Victoria was crowned Queen of Great Britain. Lord Melbourne, who educated her in politics and government, became her first prime minister.

          Queen Victoria was a hard-working monarch and she was concerned with the welfare of her people. When the British people were loosing respect for the throne, Victoria regained their affection and admiration by showing that she was a capable ruler. Monarchy in Britain has survived, while the monarchies of most other countries have not because the Queen allowed the switch from political ruler to symbolic ruler. This means that her power was reduced and her Parliament could make laws on their own.She was a wise Queen with the ability to please her people.

          When the Queen was 29 years old, she married her cousin, Prince Albert. The Prince was a scholar, philanthropist, and a businessman. The British people came to respect him because he assisted the Queen many times in her royal duties. The two was truly in love. They had four sons and five daughters.

When Albert died in 1816, Victoria withdrew from all social activities and dressed in black for all occasions. She never recovered from her grief at his loss. Queen Victoria’s eldest son became King Edward VII, when the queen died on Jan 22,1901.

-Sherry.H