Not everyone manages to leave the monarch in itself a memory like this woman.When historians speak of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the second half of the XIX century, they were called to Victorian England, and the time period from 1837 to 1901 years, in which the rules of Queen Victoria, known as the Victorian era.But the beginning of the tale was not rosy ...
Alexandrina Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn of Hanover and Princess of one of the German states of Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Zaalfeldskoy.Victoria's mother married for the first time in 17 years, but if she was destined to carry the widow's cross.Her first husband died 11 years after the wedding, leaving a woman with two children.The second marriage was concluded in 1818.Bridegroom (the Duke of Kent) was at the time of 50. After only 8 months after the birth of his only daughter, he died of pneumonia (the invention of antibiotics was yet to come), 6 days ahead of his father, King of Britain George III.
future Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 in a modest Kensington Palace on the outskirts of London.Although Victoria was listed only the fifth in line to the throne and take his chances were slim, the Duke of Kent believed that the other heirs will be able in the future to challenge the right of Victoria to the throne, if it is not born on British soil.Because insisted on moving from Germany to England.For newborn girl was chosen the name of Victoria.Godfather baby became the Russian Emperor Alexander I, who named because the second was the future Queen Alexandrina.In the family it was called Drina.
Victoria was born in the royal family, but her childhood was spent in a rather cramped conditions (the father left them a legacy of debts).
After the death of his father and grandfather of Victoria took the third place in line to the throne after his two childless uncles.Becomes King George IV, a former regent for the sick father since 1811.The new king weighed over 120 kilograms, loved luxury and entertainment.Although he was a fan of the books of Jane Austen, she patronized artists of his time, but the daughter of the late king's brother, irritated.He reluctantly allowed Victoria and her mother moved to Kensington Palace and approved the girl a small allowance.The mother's brother Leopold (the future King of Belgium) has paid her education.
Victoria did not attend school, she studied at the home of history, geography, mathematics, basics of religion, playing the piano and drawing.In the first three years of life, she spoke only German, but then rather quickly mastered English and French.Conservative mother protected her from the worst aspects of royal life, instilled in his daughter the noble values and brilliant manner.After the death of three uncles, separating the princess from the throne at the age of 18, Queen Victoria came to the throne.
She ruled the country 63 years 7 months and 2 days (from 1837 to 1901 years), to this day remains the monarch, the longest-serving British throne.At age 21, the British Queen married her cousin Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, a German prince.They were married on February 10, 1840 in the chapel of the Royal Palace of St. James.
During the reign of Victoria was the mighty British empire, to subdue a quarter of the world, its soldiers fought on many fronts.The population has doubled and has become predominantly urban.Slavery was abolished.In the cities there were water, gas, electricity, police, asphalt roads and pedal bikes, the first postage stamps and comics, as well as the world's first subway (the famous London Tube).Build factories and railways, photography was invented, rubber tires, the first mailboxes and sewing machines.Drina after her husband Albert patron of new technologies and interested in them.If there were laws on education of children and the mass opening of schools.
Queen Victoria was the first monarch who lived in Buckingham Palace.She loved singing, drawing all my life a lot, write a book, go to the opera and was very happily married.However, the death of her husband shook the queen.Albert was a real helper to her and rule the country, and in family life.She mourned his death for nearly 10 years until his death mourned in public and showed no emotion.Left a widow at 42 years old, the queen of Britain barely found the strength to return to his duties and children.
Victoria and Albert had nine children, 40 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.Eight royal children were sitting on the thrones of Europe.All survived to adulthood, which was a rarity in the XIX century.However, as it turned out later, Queen Victoria was a carrier of hemophilia, spread the disease through the morganatic marriage to many European royal family, including the family of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra who was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.The only heir to the Russian throne, Prince Alexei suffered heavily from the disease.
very same Queen Victoria, whose biography is worried about a generation of historians who have successfully survived seven attempts and died of a stroke in '81.She is buried in a mausoleum in Windsor Frogmorskom.The current Queen of the United Kingdom Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Albert, are the great-great-great-grandchildren of Victoria.
