Queen Victoria is the longest reigning monarch
in UK history.

Queen Victoria was only 18 when she came to the throne and she had a lot to learn. Her reign had a rocky start. She thought that, as queen, she could do as she liked, and she quickly had to learn that she couldn't.

Queen Victoria's reigned sixty four years, from 1837 - 1901.

What was it like living in the Victorian times?

There was no electricity, instead gas lamps or candles were used for light.

There were no cars. People either walked, travelled by boat or train or used coach horses to move from place to place.

Why are the Victorians so famous?

Britain managed to build a huge empire during the Victorian period. It was also a time of tremendous change in the lives of British people. In 1837 most people lived in villages and worked on the land; by 1901, most lived in towns and worked in offices, shops and factories.

During Queen Victoria's reign:

• Britain became the most powerful and richest country in the world, with the largest empire that had ever existed, ruling a quarter of the world's population.
• The number of people living in Britain more than doubled from 16 million to 37 million, causing a huge demand for food, clothes and housing.
• Factories and machines were built to meet this demand and new towns grew up, changing the landscape and the ways people lived and worked.
• Railways, originally built to transport goods, meant people could travel easily around the country for the first time.
• Soldiers were at war all over the world especially in 1850 - 1880.
• Seaside holidays were 'invented' (became popular).
• Police Force 'invented'.
• At the beginning of the Victorian period crossing the Atlantic took up to eight weeks. By 1901 it took about a week.

Some facts about the Queen 

Victoria was part of a family of Germans, mainly called George, who came from Hanover.

Victoria's first language was German. At three years old she learnt to speak English and French. Later she learnt to speak Hindustani because she was ruler of India as well.

Victoria didn't go to school. She was taught at home. As well as learning languages, Victoria studied history, geography, and the Bible. She was taught how to play the piano and learned how to paint, a hobby that she enjoyed into her 60s.

When did Victoria become Queen?

Queen Victoria came to the throne when she was only 18 years of age on June 20, 1837. Her coronation was a year later on 28 June 1838.

Who did Queen Victoria marry?
At the age of 21, Victoria married her cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, a German Prince. They married on the 10th February 1840 at the Chapel Royal in St. James's Palace.

Victoria had nine children, 40 grand-children and 37 great-grandchildren, scattered all over Europe. Most of Queen Victoria's children married into other royal families of Europe.

Victoria was known as the "Grandmother of Europe" because many of her children and grandchildren married into the royal families of other European countries.

Why did Queen Victoria wear black? 
Her husband Albert died in 1861 at the young age of 42. She mourned his death for almost 10 years. For the rest of her reign she wore black.

Where did Queen Victoria live? 
Queen Victoria had many homes. She lived in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Osborne House (Isle of Wight) and Balmoral Castle. 

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live in Buckingham Palace.

When did Queen Victoria die?

Queen Victoria died on 22 January, 1901 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. She was 81.

Queen Victoria was survived by 6 children, 40 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, including four future sovereigns of England: Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII and George VI. 

 Where is Queen Victoria buried?

She is buried in a mausoleum at Frogmore, Windsor.

Timeline of Victorian Age