One of the two most dominant reigns in the British History that initiated numerous and tremendous upheavals in the British Empire and uplifted people’s lives, were that of Queen Victoria’s. Holding the scepter for more than 64 years, ever since the age of 18, Queen Victoria is a very significant figure that allowed Britain to witness an expansion no common mind could have ever imagined.
Victoria was born at the Kensington Palace in 1819 and was the only child of Edward and Victoria Mary Louisa, Duke of Kent and Serene Highnessrespectively. She bore the same lovefor her country with her father’s and philanthropy and also strongly believed in a greater Britain. For that reason, she fought to bring prosperity and cultural development into the very heart of the British Empire, by opening the doors to arts and sciences to the English people and giving them essential means to better their lives.
Indicatively, the very first engines alongside electricity and industrial production were introduced during her reign, replacing the horse-drawn carriages, gas-lamps and rural way of living respectively. Furthermore, people couldbroaden their horizons by welcoming literature, arts and science as they enter their lives, forwarding an unparalleled progress in the British Empire from within .
Her Majesty was fully aware of her high destiny as ruler of England, and although very young at age, she managed to become and sustain her strong presence as a woman with virtue and honor that thought high of traditions and righteousness via the moral principles. What is more, she cared deeply for her people’s welfare and wellbeing, which is probably what kept her on the throne for so many years, like no ruler has ever managed. In fact, she is so much appreciated for all she has conquered that now, even after so many years since she passed away “ the hearts of all her subjects, and of the civilized world, pay homage to her memory and give grateful voice to the beneficence of her pure life and noble reign.” Moreover, her sensitivity and humane profile was combined with an iron-cast will and complete self-discipline that gave her the qualities of a true ruler.
She married Prince Albert Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who was her first cousin, when she was 21 years old, in 1840, and shared a great love with him that lasted throughout the years. Even though Albert’s involvement in political and state affairs caused great controversy among both the public and the government, she insisted in having her husband play a mentor’s role for her, up until Albert’s sudden death in 1861 from typhoid fever that completely devastated and demolished her inner world. She, then, preferred to close up inside her retrieved into her private seclusion far away from London. Nobody could see her in public and she allowed very few and loyal servants to be with her .
Unfortunately, her long absence from the nation’s public life has caused a public outcry, which was fed by the tabloid press that tried to oppress her public image. It was not until 1866 that Queen Victoria made her first public appearance again, attending the State Opening of Parliament. However, since 1864 she reunited with a former friend named John Brown and his devotion alongside the particular attention she received from Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli were rejuvenating for the Queen’s spirits and helped her return to public life again totally regenerated, ready to take the reins of her country and be in command again.
Her being crowed Empress of India came a little later, in 1876, and her fortified will combined with the skills as performed by Disraeli led the British Empire to even greater growth and development. She died on January 22, 1901 and was buried next to Edward in Windsor’s Frogmore Mausoleum leaving her son Edward VII as her successor on the throne.
Works Cited
Morris, Charles and Murat Halstead. Life and Reign of Queen Victoria. Chicago: International Publishing Society, 1901. Book.
PBS. "Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown." 22 July 2001. PBS.org. Website. 30 May 2013.
United Kingdom. "Timeline of the Life of Queen Victoria." 2013. The Official Website of the British Monarchy. Document. 30 May 2013.
