Queen Victoria, born Alexandrina Victoria, was born 199 years ago today.
She was the daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent and Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Edward was the fourth son of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
She became Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. On 1 May 1876, Queen Victoria also adopted the title Empress of India.
Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha on 10 February 1840. They had nine children.
- Victoria, Princess Royal – born 21 November 1840
- Albert, Prince of Wales – born 9 November 1841
- Princess Alice – born 25 April 1843
- Prince Alfred – born 6 August 1844
- Princess Helena – born 25 May 1846
- Princess Louise – born 18 March 1848
- Prince Arthur – born 1 May 1850
- Prince Leopold – born 7 April 1853
- Princess Beatrice – 14 April 1857
As the child of a fourth son, Victoria in all probability should not have expected to accede to the throne, however, her eldest (and only) legitimate cousin, Charlotte, who was second in line to the throne, had died in childbirth aged 21 (read more here).
Victoria was queen for 63 years, seven months and two days.
Images: Wikimedia Commons
Source: Britanica.com
HistorianRuby: An Historian's Miscellany 
Truly informative for history lovers! 👍
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Thank you 🙂
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I was unaware Victoria was not in direct line for the throne. I probably learned that in world history eons ago!! I always learn something new on your posts.
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🙂 She was the result of the mad scramble that has been called the ‘race for the hymen’ as George III’s dissolute sons suddenly decided they needed virginal princess brides. Ironic really that the winning princess (Victoire) had been married before and had two older children.
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