Queen Victoria
(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she adopted the additional title of Empress of India.
She inherited the throne aged 18, after her father's three elder brothers had all died, leaving no surviving legitimate children.
Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together and earning her the sobriquet "the grandmother of Europe". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion, republicanism temporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign her popularity recovered. Her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were times of public celebration.
Queen Victoria reigned of 63 years and seven months is known as the Victorian era. It was a period of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire. She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover. Her son and successor, Edward VII, belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the line of his father.
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| The wedding of Victoria and Albert by George Halter |
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| Painting by Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1859) |
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Victoria's family in 1846 by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. Left to right: Prince Alfred and the Prince of Wales; the Queen and Prince Albert; Princesses Alice, Helena and Victoria. Painting by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1846
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| Princess Victoria with her spaniel Dash by George Hayter, 1833 |
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| Queen Victoria aged 80 (1899) |
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| Photograph by J. J. E. Mayall, 1860 |
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Queen Victoria and John Brown, 1863 - photograph by G W Wilson
During her widowhood, two servants became important to Victoria, much to the distress of her family. During her early widowhood, Victoria heavily relied on her Scottish Highland servant John Brown from Balmoral. There were rumours of a romance and a secret marriage, and Victoria was called Mrs. Brown. Brown treated the queen in a rough and familiar, but kind manner, which she relished. In return, Brown was allowed many privileges which infuriated Victoria’s family.
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| Queen Victoria's wedding dress |
That was very interesting. I enjoyed those wonderful paintings.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed these :)
DeleteWe can thank God He has placed us in ordinary families. Imagine being placed in royalty!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been exhausting with little time to be your self.
DeleteThanks Joy! I enjoyed this! I love everything involving that time period! Hope your new year is off to a good start! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jes, Thanks for dropping by - the year has been good so far and the rest is unknown but in God's hands :) So glad you enjoyed this art Friday, I have been busy working many more which I hope you enjoy.
DeleteI've done a fair bit of reading and watching of documentaries and films about Victoria and Albert. I've long marveled at how "un-queenly" she actually looked - so untypical of the modern imaginary queens and princesses that are so often painted or portrayed as beautiful (even if in an austere way) or as very strong and regal. She looks as if she could be the washer woman or someone's old maid aunt. :-) And yet, her personality dominated an era!
ReplyDeleteIn the excerpt from the wedding painting - the picture of Albert holding Victoria's hand at the wedding - I noticed his extremely skimpy shoes. How do you suppose he kept those things on his feet?
She was rather dumpy and short probably the German in her. But her authority made up for her lack of regal looks!! I think she was quite a stickle of doing things morally right.
DeleteI have just bought this and can't wait to watch it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victoria-DVD-Jenna-Coleman/dp/B01KTJYF6G
I had another look at Prince Alberts shoes - they are very flat (no heel) and the top of his feet seem to be quite curved and high Like you say, I do wonder how he walked in them!!!!
I watched a three part documentary called "Queen Victoria's Children" that was very interesting. I think it was by the BBC, but I'm not sure of that. She and Albert were both rather fanatical about good morals due to the very bad examples they had in their respective families.
DeleteI will let you know what this DVD is like. Currently I am watching "The Crown" on Netflix and really enjoying it - the actress playing Queen Elizabeth is so good. I did read they are planning to extend the series throughout the Queen's life, that would be so interesting.
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