Queen Victoria was the epitome of what the Victorian period represented and had a great influence on her country. She was the ideal Lady of the 19th century. Her monarch was grand as she was the longest reigning monarch in English history. Her country cherished her. She made her husband, Prince Albert, the center of her life and made her home favorable for him. He was the ultimate decision maker and provider for her as she raised their nine children. Although, she served her husband and her family first, her subjection to the throne never waivered. In all the years she reigned she was well respected as Queen.
Time Line of Queen Victoria's Reign
** In 1819 Victoria was born to Edward the Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg. The place of birth was at Kennsington Palace.
** June 28th 1838 Victoria was crowned Queen of England due to the death of her Uncle William IV.
** Queen Victoria had a domineering mother and yet she chose to rule in her own fashion and as she saw fit. Even though respect was low for the crown at the time the British soon cherished their new queen and respected her.
** Queen Victoria became attached to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne of the Whig Party. But when Prince Albert entered her life things began to change in her court.
** February 10th 1840 she was wed to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha a marriage of the state. They had a beautiful marriage of love and was convenient as he was her cousin. Though the only title he received was that of Prince Consort he became Victoria's closet advisor and companion.
 Queen Victoria raised 9 chidren. They were: Victoria Adelaide Mary; Princess Royal, Edward VII Wettin; King of England, Princess Alice Maud Mary, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, Princess Helena Augusta Victoria, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Prince Arthur William Patrick, Prince Leopold George Duncan, Princess Beatrice Mary Victoria. Queen Victoria was devoted to her family and to her husband. She was still loyal to the throne. And even though some of her journal entries may not have been befitting of the typical Victorian woman those entries did reaveal her concern for issues in her life.
** Albert's zeal for public moralism set the tone for the mid-Victorian period. It was Prince Albert who influenced the "proper" and straightlaced propriety in the court and he introduced a strict discipline. This behavior became part of the Victorian Era.
** Victoria opposed Lord Palmerston's democratic government and was partially reponsible for his departure as foreign Secretary in 1851.
** She helped form cabinets in the state of Commons during a time when royal intervention was needed to help glue majority coalitions.
** Prince Albert's interests in art and science gave him the incentive to organize the Crystal Palace Exhibition an industrial convention in 1851. This was highly successful and raised proceeds to purchase land to build a few museums.
** December 14th 1861 Prince Albert died after contracting Typhoid Fever. Queen Victoria was wrought with saddness. Her world had crumbled. She had begun a seclusion which lasted about 10 years. But her mourning really lasted much of the rest of her life. Her popularity was at it's lowest after she had gone into this long seclusion. But she regained public admiration in the 1870's and made more public appearances.
** Victoria crowned Empress of India by Disraeli.
** She came out into public with a new heart during Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
Queen Victoria died January 22nd, 1901. But she and her husband's influence has lasted through time not only affecting her country but other countries around the world. She was succeeded by her son Edward the VII. What a charming and most endearing legacy she left behind.
Sources:Stanley Weintraub;Victoria an intimate biography
Sources:Joanna Richardson;Victoria and Albert
Sources:John Phillips;Prince Albert and the Victorian Age
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