Introduction
Victoria Day is a public holiday observed in Canada and various other Commonwealth countries on the Monday preceding or on May 24th. It commemorates the birth of Queen Victoria on May 24, 1819. But who was Queen Victoria and why was she so influential? Queen Victoria was one of the most powerful and longest-reigning queens in British history, and her life and reign are brimming with fascinating facts and stories. In this blog, we will look at some of Queen Victoria’s secrets and lesser-known facts from her reign, which lasted from 1837 to 1901.
Queen Victoria’s early life and ascension to the throne
Queen Victoria was not given the name Victoria at birth. Alexandrina Victoria was named after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I of Russia. She was always more comfortable going by her surname or the nickname ‘Drina’. She was the sole child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, King George III’s fourth son, and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a German princess. Queen Victoria was born fifth in line to the kingdom, but after her father and three uncles died without leaving any legal offspring, she became the heir presumptive.
After her uncle, King William IV, died in 1837, she became queen at the age of 18. A year later, she was crowned at Westminster Abbey, wearing a white satin gown and a diamond crown. She was the first member of the royal family to dwell at Buckingham Palace, which her late uncle had previously possessed. To make the palace appropriate for a family home, she had to remodel and extend it.
Queen Victoria’s marriage and family
In 1840, Queen Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. They had met four years earlier, when they were both 17, at Kensington Palace. They fell in love and corresponded till their wedding day. Queen Victoria’s political and personal affairs were supported and guided by Prince Albert, a handsome, bright, and sophisticated man. He shared her passions for music, art, literature, and science.
They had nine children together:
Victoria, Edward, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold, and Beatrice are the names of the characters. They were loving parents who attempted to provide a normal and joyful life for their children. They also arranged for their offspring to marry into other European royal families, gaining Queen Victoria the moniker “the grandmother of Europe.”
Prince Albert died when he was 42 years old, in 1861. While visiting his son Edward at Cambridge University, he caught typhoid fever. His death shocked Queen Victoria, who fell into profound despair. She lived the remainder of her life in black and avoided public appearances for many years. She preserved his apartments at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace exactly as he left them, and she put fresh flowers on his pillow every day.
Queen Victoria’s achievements and challenges
Queen Victoria reigned for more than 60 years, becoming the British queen with the longest reign until Queen Elizabeth II overtook her in 2015. She managed the British Empire’s expansion to encompass Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and India. During her reign, she witnessed many social and technological changes, including the Industrial Revolution, the rise of democracy, the abolition of slavery, and the development of railways, telegraphs, and photography.
During her reign, she faced numerous challenges and dangers. She escaped multiple assassination attempts by mentally ill or politically motivated individuals. Some of them threw stones or eggs at her carriage or fired guns at it. One even attempted to attack her with an iron bar. She remained courageous and cool in these situations, not allowing them to shake her confidence or security.
She was also confronted with numerous conflicts and wars involving her realm or its allies. The Crimean War (1853-1856), the Indian Rebellion (1857-1858), the Boer War (1899-1902), and the First World War (1914-1918) were among them. She encouraged and thanked her troops and sent them letters of support. She also paid visits to hospitals and presented medals to wounded soldiers.
Queen Victoria’s personality and interests
Queen Victoria was a diminutive woman with a tremendous personality. She was only five feet tall, but she had a powerful will and a violent temper. Queen Victoria was not afraid to share her thoughts or feelings, especially if they ran counter to those of her pastors or family. She was obstinate, impatient, and demanding at times, but she was also generous, sympathetic, and loyal. Also, She had a good sense of humor and enjoyed playing games and jokes.
She spoke English and German fluently and had studied French, Italian, Latin, and Hindustani. She was interested in learning about diverse cultures and religions, with a particular interest in India. Also, She hired an Indian servant named Abdul Karim, who taught her Hindustani and became a close friend of hers.
She was passionate about music, art, literature, and science. She sang and played the piano, and she frequently performed with Prince Albert or her children. Also, She enjoyed painting and drawing and has a large collection of artworks by many painters. She read a lot of books and kept a lot of diaries and letters. She was fascinated by scientific discoveries and inventions, and she met several well-known scientists, including Charles Darwin and Michael Faraday.
Conclusion
Queen Victoria was an extraordinary woman who made an indelible imprint on British history and society. Her life and reign were riddled with secrets and lesser-known facts that shed light on her complicated and interesting nature. She was a queen, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a student, and an enthusiast for the arts and sciences. She wasn’t flawless, but she was human. Victoria was her name.
What are your thoughts about Queen Victoria? Do you have any other information or tales to offer about her? Please let us know in the comments!
We hope you have a wonderful and safe Victoria’s Day!