British Monarch. She reigned as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901 and as Empress of India beginning in 1876. One of the most famous rulers in English and British history, she was born in London at Kensington Palace in May of 1819. The only child of Edward Duke of Kent, Victoria Maria Louisa of Saxe-Coburg and granddaughter of King George III, Queen Victoria's reign spanned more than half a century in which Great Britain reached the height of its power. It saw the acquisition of many new lands overseas and a great colonial empire that enjoyed tremendous industrial expansion at home. As a result, the time of Victoria's reign is often called the Victorian Age. The stability and dignity of her reign also restored the popularity of the monarchy. At age eighteen Victoria ascended the English throne in June of 1837 following the death of her uncle King William IV and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 28, 1838. It was soon realized that the young queen was perfectly capable of performing her duties. Taught by William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, her first prime minister, she had a clear grasp of constitutional principles and the scope of her own prerogative. In February of 1840 the Saxe-Coburg influence upon Victoria's life was strengthened by her marriage to her cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Together they had nine children. Strongly influenced by her husband, with whom she worked in close harmony, Victoria went into lengthy seclusion after his death in 1861 to Osborne, Balmoral, Windsor or the Riviera. This decreased her popularity and motivated a Republican movement against the Crown. Victoria's recognition as empress of India, and her Diamond Jubilee in 1887 put her back in her subjects favor and increased the prestige of the monarchy. She continued to reign until the later part of 1900, when her health began to fail and she retired to Osbourne, her seaside home on the Isle of Wight. There an era ended when the Queen died in 1901. After a state funeral Victoria was buried beside her beloved Albert at Frogmore.
British Monarch. She reigned as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901 and as Empress of India beginning in 1876. One of the most famous rulers in English and British history, she was born in London at Kensington Palace in May of 1819. The only child of Edward Duke of Kent, Victoria Maria Louisa of Saxe-Coburg and granddaughter of King George III, Queen Victoria's reign spanned more than half a century in which Great Britain reached the height of its power. It saw the acquisition of many new lands overseas and a great colonial empire that enjoyed tremendous industrial expansion at home. As a result, the time of Victoria's reign is often called the Victorian Age. The stability and dignity of her reign also restored the popularity of the monarchy. At age eighteen Victoria ascended the English throne in June of 1837 following the death of her uncle King William IV and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 28, 1838. It was soon realized that the young queen was perfectly capable of performing her duties. Taught by William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, her first prime minister, she had a clear grasp of constitutional principles and the scope of her own prerogative. In February of 1840 the Saxe-Coburg influence upon Victoria's life was strengthened by her marriage to her cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Together they had nine children. Strongly influenced by her husband, with whom she worked in close harmony, Victoria went into lengthy seclusion after his death in 1861 to Osborne, Balmoral, Windsor or the Riviera. This decreased her popularity and motivated a Republican movement against the Crown. Victoria's recognition as empress of India, and her Diamond Jubilee in 1887 put her back in her subjects favor and increased the prestige of the monarchy. She continued to reign until the later part of 1900, when her health began to fail and she retired to Osbourne, her seaside home on the Isle of Wight. There an era ended when the Queen died in 1901. After a state funeral Victoria was buried beside her beloved Albert at Frogmore.
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Bio by: Curtis Jackson