The Life and Times of the Greatest Victorian: Queen Victoria's Reign and Legacy

Early Life and Accession

Queen Victoria was born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace in London. She was the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her father died when she was just eight months old, leaving her mother to raise her alone. Victoria was a shy and reserved child, but she was also intelligent and strong-willed.

Bagehot: The Life and Times of the Greatest Victorian

by James Grant

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Victoria became queen at the age of 18, upon the death of her uncle, King William IV. She was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 28, 1838. Victoria's coronation was a lavish affair, and it marked the beginning of her long and eventful reign.

Marriage and Family

Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Albert was a handsome and intelligent prince, and he was a devoted husband to Victoria. The couple had nine children together, including the future King Edward VII. Victoria and Albert were very happy together, and their marriage was a model for other royal couples.

Albert died in 1861, at the age of 42. Victoria was devastated by his death, and she never fully recovered from it. She wore black for the rest of her life, and she withdrew from public life for several years.

Reign and Legacy

Victoria's reign was one of great change and progress. Britain became the world's leading industrial and economic power, and the British Empire expanded to include vast territories in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Victoria was a popular and respected monarch, and she was known as the "Grandmother of Europe."

Victoria died on January 22, 1901, at the age of 81. She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, and she left behind a legacy of stability and prosperity. Victoria's reign is often seen as the golden age of the British Empire, and she is remembered as one of the greatest monarchs in British history.

Queen Victoria was a complex and fascinating figure. She was a shy and reserved child, but she grew up to become a strong and determined woman. She was a devoted wife and mother, and she was a popular and respected monarch. Victoria's reign was one of great change and progress, and she left behind a legacy of stability and prosperity. Victoria is remembered as one of the greatest monarchs in British history, and her life and times are still studied and admired today.