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'''Victoria,''' usually called '''Queen Victoria''' (May 24, 1819 - January 22, 1901) was monarch of the [[United Kingdom]] of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of [[India]].   

'''Victoria,''' usually called '''Queen Victoria''' (May 24, 1819 - January 22, 1901) was monarch of the [[United Kingdom]] of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of [[India]].   

She gave her name to an era of British greatness, especially in the far-flung [[British Empire]] with which she identified. She played a small role in politics, but became the iconic symbol of the nation, the empire, and proper, restrained behaviour.  A conservative woman who rejected the wield hijinks of previous monarchs, she set the tone of moral earnestness and strait-laced propriety which characterized of the Victorian Age.

She gave her name to an era of British greatness, especially in the far-flung [[British Empire]] with which she identified. She played a small role in politics, but became the iconic symbol of the nation, the empire, and proper, restrained behaviour.  A conservative woman who rejected the wild hijinks of previous monarchs, she set the tone of moral earnestness and strait-laced propriety which characterized the Victorian Age.

To date she is Britain's longest-serving monarch, and during her reign the monarchy started to take on its symbolic role in British government. On December 22, 2007 she was overtaken by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] as Britain's oldest monarch to date (Victoria came to the throne at 18, Elizabeth II at 25).

To date she is Britain's longest-serving monarch, and during her reign the monarchy started to take on its symbolic role in British government. On December 22, 2007 she was overtaken by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] as Britain's oldest monarch to date (Victoria came to the throne at 18, Elizabeth II at 25).

==Life==

==Life==

She was born Princess Alexandrina Victoria, at [[Kensington  

She was born Princess Alexandrina Victoria, at [[Kensington  

Palace]], London, on May 24, 1819, the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of King [[George III]], and Princess Victoria, the daughter of the duke of the German country of [[Saxe-Coburg]]. When she was nine months old her father died, and the princess thereafter led a lonely and secluded childhood; she was only fifth in line to the throne.  Kept away from the court because of a feud between her father and his elder brothers, Victoria became greatly attached to her mother's brother (afterwards [[King Leopold]] of the Belgians), as well as to his secretary Baron Stockmar, and to her Hanoverian governess, Baroness Lehzen. She was home schooled by Baroness Lehzen, who emphasized language skills; she spoke good German and French as well as English.  

Palace]], London, on May 24, 1819, the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of King [[George III]], and Princess Victoria, the daughter of the duke of the German country of Saxe-Coburg. When she was nine months old her father died, and the princess thereafter led a lonely and secluded childhood; she was only fifth in line to the throne.  Kept away from the court because of a feud between her father and his elder brothers, Victoria became greatly attached to her mother's brother (afterwards [[King Leopold]] of the Belgians), as well as to his secretary Baron Stockmar, and to her Hanoverian governess, Baroness Lehzen. She was home schooled by Baroness Lehzen, who emphasized language skills; Victoria spoke good German and French as well as English.  

==Early Years of Her Reign==

==Early Years of Her Reign==

Victoria succeeded to the throne after her two uncles, King [[George IV]] and King [[William IV]], died without heirs. She became queen on June 20, 1837, a month after she had reached her 18th birthday, and thus her majority. Her poise, modesty, and good sense made an immediately favourable impression on the nation. Her coronation was held in [[Westminster Abbey]] on June 28, 1838. Victoria increased her popularity by promptly paying off her father's considerable private debts. She relied entirely on Baroness Lehzen for the management of her household and the arrangement of her Court. In larger matters Victoria was guided by Baron Stockmar, the confidant of the whole Saxe-Coburg family. In domestic affairs and politics she relied on the shrewd advice and worldly wisdom of her Whig Prime Minister [[Lord Melbourne]]. Even in these early days she showed independence and spirit, notably in the Bedchamber Crisis, when she refused to allow Melbourne's successor, the [[Tory]] Sir [[Robert Peel]], to change the members of her Court, particularly the ladies of the bedchamber, all of whom were Whig sympathizers.

Victoria succeeded to the throne after her two uncles, King [[George IV]] and King [[William IV]], died without heirs. Both had notorious reputations for immorality and the crown was in disrepute.  Her goal was to restore its reputation.

 

Victoria became queen on June 20, 1837, a month after she had reached her 18th birthday, and thus her majority. Her poise, modesty, and good sense made an immediately favourable impression on the nation. Her formal coronation was held in [[Westminster Abbey]] on June 28, 1838. Victoria increased her popularity by promptly paying off her father's considerable private debts. She relied on Baroness Lehzen for the management of her household and the arrangement of her court. In larger matters Victoria was guided by Baron Stockmar. In domestic affairs and politics she relied on the shrewd advice and worldly wisdom of her Whig Prime Minister [[Lord Melbourne]]. Even in these early days she showed independence and spirit, notably in the "Bedchamber Crisis", when she refused to allow Melbourne's Tory (Conservative party) successor, Sir [[Robert Peel]], to change the members of her court, particularly the ladies of the bedchamber, all of whom were Whig sympathizers.

==Marriage to Albert==

==Marriage to Albert==