Queen Victoria, one of the most iconic rulers in the history of the United Kingdom, reigned during a period of immense political, social, and technological change.
Despite her prominence in history, there are many details about her life, reign, and the impact she had on the world that remain fascinating and less widely known.
Below, we explore fifteen intriguing facts about Queen Victoria.
Queen Victoria Facts
1. Queen Victoria was not born a likely heir to the throne
When Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, she was fifth in line to the throne. Her father, Edward, Duke of Kent, was the fourth son of King George III, making Victoria’s accession to the throne initially unlikely.
Due to a series of sudden deaths within the royal family, including her father’s just a few months after her birth, Victoria quickly ascended the line of succession.
By the time she was 18, she became queen, illustrating the unpredictability and fragility of royal succession in the 19th century.
2. Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert was a genuine love match
Contrary to many arranged royal marriages of the time, Victoria and Albert shared a deep and abiding love for each other. They first met as teenagers and, despite their initial reluctance, grew fond of each other over time.
Victoria proposed to Albert, breaking the norms of the era, since protocol dictated that a queen must propose to her husband, not the other way around.
Their marriage produced nine children and became a symbol of the era, epitomizing marital harmony and family values.
3. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to reside at Buckingham Palace
Shortly after her accession to the throne, Queen Victoria became the first monarch to take up residence in Buckingham Palace. The palace underwent significant renovations to accommodate the royal family, transforming it into a suitable royal residence.
Prior to her move, the palace was seen as unattractive and undesirable, but Victoria’s decision to live there cemented its status as the primary residence of the British monarch.
Her influence is seen in the expansion and renovation of the palace, making it the iconic symbol it is today.
4. Queen Victoria survived multiple assassination attempts
Throughout her reign, Queen Victoria was the target of at least six assassination attempts. These attempts were widely publicized, often leading to an outpouring of public sympathy and support for the queen.
The first attempt on her life occurred in 1840, just three years into her reign, when Edward Oxford fired shots at her carriage.
Each of these attempts on her life only seemed to strengthen the bond between Victoria and her subjects, increasing her popularity.
5. The Victorian Era is named in honor of Queen Victoria
The period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 1837 to 1901, is known as the Victorian Era. This era is characterized by significant industrial, cultural, and social changes in Britain.
Under her reign, the British Empire expanded to become the foremost global power, controlling lands across every continent.
The era is also marked by technological innovation, including the introduction of the railway and the telegraph, which revolutionized communication and transportation.
Her reign also saw important social reforms, including advancements in education and healthcare.
6. Queen Victoria was the first known carrier of hemophilia in the royal family
Queen Victoria unknowingly passed the gene for hemophilia onto several of her children, a condition that became known as the “royal disease.”
Her son, Leopold, Duke of Albany, had the disease and died at a young age as a result of it, while two of her daughters were carriers. This genetic mutation was passed on through Victoria’s descendants, affecting various royal families across Europe.
Her granddaughter, Alexandra, married Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, passing the gene onto their son, Alexei, the heir to the Russian throne.
7. Queen Victoria spoke multiple languages
From a young age, Queen Victoria was groomed for her future role, receiving an extensive education that included learning several languages.
She was fluent in English and German and had working knowledge of French and Italian, reflecting her German ancestry and the diplomatic needs of the time.
Her ability to speak these languages allowed her to communicate directly with many of her European relatives and counterparts. This multilingual skill set was unusual for a woman of her time and demonstrated her keen intelligence and dedication to her duties.
8. Queen Victoria instituted the tradition of white wedding dresses
Before Queen Victoria, brides did not traditionally wear white at their weddings. Victoria chose to wear a white gown for her marriage to Prince Albert to incorporate some lace she prized.
Her choice to wear white was atypical at the time and was seen as a symbol of purity and innocence.
This fashion choice started a trend that has continued to the present day, with many brides choosing white for their wedding dresses.
9. Queen Victoria redefined the British monarchy’s role in government
During her reign, Queen Victoria worked to redefine the monarchy’s role within the British constitutional framework. While she maintained a keen interest in state affairs, over time, the evolving political climate and her own actions helped solidify the monarchy’s transition into a more symbolic, ceremonial role.
She lived through the tenures of 20 prime ministers and maintained a complex, sometimes contentious, relationship with them.
Her influence helped to steer the monarchy away from direct political power towards a more ceremonial role which the British monarchy maintains today.
10. Queen Victoria was deeply interested in science and technology
Victoria lived through a time of great scientific and technological advances and took a keen interest in these developments. She was the first monarch to travel by train, an event that was seen as an endorsement of the new technology.
She met with many prominent scientists and inventors of her time, including Charles Babbage, who is considered the father of the computer.
11. Queen Victoria’s longest-serving Prime Minister was William Gladstone
Despite her often strained relationship with him, William Gladstone served as Queen Victoria’s Prime Minister for a total of 12 years, across four terms. Glsdstone’es’
liberal policies and reforms sometimes clashed with Victoria’s more conservative views,
but she respected his political acumen and dedication to public service.
Their correspondence, though sometimes tense, illustrates the complex relationship between the monarchy and the government during her reign.
12. Queen Victoria had a special relationship with India
During her reign, Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876, a title that emphasized Britain’s dominion over the subcontinent. This title was a manifestation of the British imperial vision and a reflection of Victoria’s status as the figurehead of an empire on which “the sun never sets.”
She never visited India, but she had a deep fascination with the country and its culture, learning Urdu and taking an interest in Indian affairs.
Her close relationship with Abdul Karim, a young Indian attendant, highlighted her respect and affection for Indian culture and people, though it also courted controversy within the royal household and beyond.
13. Queen Victoria’s reign is the second longest in British history
Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years and 216 days, making her reign the second-longest of any British monarch, surpassed only by the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Her long tenure on the throne witnessed the transition of the British monarchy into the modern age and left an indelible mark on British society and the wider world.
Victoria became an icon of British steadfastness and imperial ambition, her name synonymous with an entire era of British history.
Her death in 1901 marked the end of an era and the dawn of a new century.
14. Queen Victoria had a profound impact on London’s landscape
Many of London’s most iconic landmarks were constructed during Queen Victoria’s reign, including the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Albert Hall, and Tower Bridge.
These construction projects were part of a wider expansion and modernization of the city, reflecting the prosperity and technological advancement of the era.
Her influence extended beyond architecture; the Great Exhibition of 1851, conceived by her husband Prince Albert, showcased the industrial advances and cultural wealth of the age, hosting countries from around the world.
15. Queen Victoria’s personal journal entries provide insight into her private thoughts and feelings
Over her lifetime, Queen Victoria was an avid diarist, writing daily entries that provide a fascinating glimpse into her private thoughts and experiences. Her journals, which span over 60 years, offer valuable insights into her personal life, her perceptions of the people around her, and her views on the events of her time.
These writings reveal a complex and often misunderstood woman, intense in her affections and passionate about her duties.
Queen Victoria’s diaries have been invaluable to historians, helping to paint a more nuanced portrait of one of Britain’s most iconic monarchs.
FAQs about Queen Victoria
What was Queen Victoria’s full name?
Queen Victoria’s full name at birth was Alexandrina Victoria. She was named Alexandrina after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, but she preferred to go by her second name, Victoria, which she is now famously known by.
How many children did Queen Victoria have?
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had nine children.
Their progeny would go on to marry into other royal families across Europe, earning Victoria the moniker “grandmother of Europe.”
Did Queen Victoria really hate being pregnant?
Queen Victoria did indeed have a well-documented dislike for pregnancy and childbirth, describing them as the “shadow-side of marriage.”
Despite this, she had nine children.
Her discomfort with pregnancy did not diminish her love for her children, although she famously had a complex and often strained relationship with some of them.
How long did Queen Victoria wear mourning clothes?
Queen Victoria wore mourning clothes for the rest of her life after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. This extended period of mourning, lasting nearly 40 years until her own death in 1901, reflected not only her deep love for Albert but also set a trend for mourning practices among the Victorian public.