Before Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria was the longest-reigning British monarch, ruling for 63 years and 216 days (1837-1901).1)
Her full name was Alexandrina Victoria. She was named after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I of Russia.2)
Victoria became queen at the age of 18 after the death of her uncle, King William IV.3)
She was quite short, standing at only 4 feet 11 inches tall.4)
After the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861, Victoria wore black for the rest of her life as a symbol of mourning.5)
She was known as the “Grandmother of Europe” because many of her children married into other royal families across Europe.6)
Queen Victoria deeply loved her husband, Prince Albert, and had nine children with him.7)
Victoria and Albert were first cousins, both being grandchildren of Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.8)
In Canada, Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday before May 25th in honor of her birthday.9)
During her reign, the British Empire expanded significantly, with Victoria becoming the first Empress of India in 1876.10)
Despite being a female monarch, Victoria was opposed to the women’s suffrage movement.11)
There were several attempts on her life, but she survived all of them. The first was in 1840 by Edward Oxford.12)
During her reign, Britain fought the Opium Wars with China, leading to the Treaty of Nanking and the acquisition of Hong Kong.13)
Victoria was one of the first royals to be extensively photographed, contributing to the medium’s popularity.14)
Queen Victoria enjoyed painting, drawing, and writing in her journals.15)
She kept a detailed journal throughout her life, starting at age 13 and writing over 60 million words by the time of her death.16)
Victoria was raised under the “Kensington System,” a strict regimen imposed by her mother and her mother's adviser, Sir John Conroy.17)
After Albert's death, Victoria had his room maintained as if he were still alive, with fresh clothes laid out daily.18)
The Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the British and Commonwealth forces, was named in her honor.19)
Victoria held numerous titles, including Queen of the United Kingdom, Empress of India, and Queen of Hanover.20)
Her Golden Jubilee in 1887 marked 50 years on the throne and was celebrated with great pomp across the empire.21)
In 1897, she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years as queen.22)
Queen Victoria was extremely popular in her later years, though her popularity had waned after Albert’s death.23)
After Albert's death, Victoria largely withdrew from public life, earning her the nickname “The Widow of Windsor.”24)
The English language during her reign became more standardized, contributing to the development of “Queen's English.”25)
She opened the Great Exhibition in 1851, showcasing the industrial advances of the era.26)
Victoria was fascinated by new technology, including the telegraph and the railway.27)
Her grandson, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, died unexpectedly in 1892, devastating her.28)
The Anglo-Zulu War occurred during her reign, resulting in the annexation of the Zulu Kingdom.29)
Victoria’s first Prime Minister was Lord Melbourne, who acted as a mentor to the young queen.30)
Victoria was one of the first women to use chloroform during childbirth, despite opposition from the Church.31)
She lived to the age of 81, an impressive feat for the time.32)
The “Victorian era” is named after her and is known for its distinctive culture, fashion, and values.33)
She never remarried after Albert’s death, although she was very close to her servant, John Brown.34)
Queen Victoria was known for her love of jewelry, particularly diamonds, and pearls.35)
Victoria made one of the first public telephone calls in 1878, speaking with inventor Alexander Graham Bell.36)
Numerous statues and monuments were erected in her honor during her lifetime and after her death, including the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.37)
Victoria’s personal secretary, Sir Henry Ponsonby, influenced the administration of the British Raj.38)
Victoria had a strained relationship with her eldest son, Edward VII, whom she blamed for the death of Prince Albert.39)
Victoria had a hearty appetite and particularly enjoyed Scottish cuisine, introduced to her by Prince Albert.40)
She was the first monarch to live through the abolition of the royal prerogative to veto legislation, a power now held only in theory.41)
She was a prolific writer, penning thousands of letters, many of which have been published.42)
Victoria was the first reigning British monarch to meet a sitting U.S. president, when she met President Buchanan in 1857.43)
Victoria died on January 22, 1901, and was buried beside Prince Albert in the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore, Windsor.44)