Queen Victoria.

Victoria Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent

Queen Victoria — Painter

Born 24 May 1819 London, United Kingdom

Died 22 Jan 1901 East Cowes, United Kingdom

Citizenship United Kingdom

15 min read

Reading time

2,879

Words

Mar 31, 2026

Published

7

Film credits

8

Books

35

Awards

TL;DR

Queen Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom at age 18 in 1837 and reigned for 63 years, making her the longest-reigning British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015. She married her first cousin Prince Albert in 1840, and after his death in 1861 she mourned for decades. Victoria oversaw the expansion of the British Empire, technological advancements, and was the first British monarch to be photographed and filmed.

Identity & family.

KIN · 8

Names, aliases, and relatives of Queen Victoria — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent

Native Name Victoria

Nicknames The Grandmother of Europe, Widow of Windsor, Vicky, Drina, Mrs. Brown

Aliases the Queen

Spouses: Prince Albert
Children: Edward VII Princess Alice of the United Kingdom Princess Helena of the United Kingdom Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom
Siblings: Adelaide Dubus Edward Schencker Scheener Feodora of Leiningen

At a glance.

STATS

Queen Victoria by the numbers — life, work, and family.

81 Years lived

7 Film credits

8 Books

35 Awards

1 Marriage

4 Children

Who was Queen Victoria?

BIOGRAPHY

Queen Victoria — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent was born on May 24, 1819 at Kensington Palace in London, the only child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Her father died when she was less than a year old, leaving her mother in debt and reliant on her brother Leopold, the King of Belgium. Victoria was raised in a sheltered environment at Kensington Palace, allowed contact only with her mother, half-sister, half-brother, and Sir John Conroy, the household comptroller. She spoke only German until age three, later learning Italian for opera. In 1836, at age 17, she met her cousins Albert and Ernest for the first time; the meeting was cordial but uneventful.

Career

Victoria ascended the throne on June 20, 1837 upon the death of her uncle King William IV, at age 18. Her early reign was guided by Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, but after marrying Prince Albert in 1840, Albert became her chief advisor. Together they had nine children, and Victoria took an active role in state affairs. In 1856, she instituted the Victoria Cross for valor in the Crimean War. In 1876, she gained the title Empress of India. Her reign saw the Crimean War 1853-1856 and the Indian Rebellion 1857. She was the first British monarch to be photographed 1840s and filmed 1896 in Balmoral. She wrote many journals and was a prolific letter-writer. Her death in 1901 ended the longest reign in British history up to that point.

Personal life

Victoria married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on February 10, 1840. Their marriage was loving and produced nine children, including the future King Edward VII. After Albert’s death from typhoid on December 14, 1861, Victoria entered deep mourning and wore black for the rest of her life. She became close to her Scottish servant John Brown, leading to rumors of a romantic relationship; she was even called Mrs. Brown in the press. She outlived three of her children: Alice d. 1878, Leopold d. 1884, and Alfred d. 1900. Contrary to the saying We are not amused, she ate quickly and had a good sense of humor.

Legacy

Queen Victoria’s legacy is vast. She symbolised the British Empire‘s peak, and her name was given to the Victorian era, a period of industrial, cultural, political, and scientific change. She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover; her son Edward VII began the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha later Windsor. Her descendants married into royal families across Europe, earning her the nickname Grandmother of Europe. Her reign lasted 63 years, a record surpassed only by her great-great-granddaughter Elizabeth II in 2015. The Victoria and Albert Museum, Victoria Falls, and Victoria, British Columbia are named after her. She was the first British monarch to be photographed, and her image dominated the world. She is remembered for her strict moral code, her devotion to Albert, and as the monarch who gave her name to an era.

Filmography.

FILMS · 7

The complete filmography of Queen Victoria — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

Movie

Queen Victoria: Secrets of a Queen

2017
Movie

Scenes at Balmoral

1896
Movie

Queen Victoria's Letters: a Monarch Unveiled

2014
Movie

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Procession

1897
Movie

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

1897
Movie

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Taken from Apsley

1897
Movie

Queen Victoria's Last Visit to Ireland

1900

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 35

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Queen Victoria — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 8

Queen Victoria's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Dearest Mama

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain et al.
Amazon

Life at the Court of Queen Victoria, 1861-1901

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain
Amazon

Dear and Honoured Lady

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain
Amazon

Your Dear Letter

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain
Amazon

Advice to My Grand-daughter

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain
Amazon

Dearest Child

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain
Amazon

Advice to a Grand-daughter

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain
Amazon

Queen Victoria's Alice in Wonderland

by Victoria Queen of Great Britain

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 10

A wall of memorable lines from Queen Victoria — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Affairs Go On, and All Will Take Some Shape or Other, but It Keeps One in Hot Water All the Time.
All Marriage Is Such a Lottery the Happiness Is Always an Exchange Though It May Be a Very Happy One Still the Poor Woman Is Bodily and Morally the Husband’s Slave. That Always Sticks in My Throat. When I Think of a Merry, Happy, and Free Young Girl and Look at the Ailing Aching State a Young Wife Is Generally Doomed to Which You Can’t Deny Is the Penalty of Marriage.
I Am Most Anxious to Enlist Everyone Who Can Speak or Write to Join in Checking This Mad, Wicked Folly of Women’s Rights, with All Its Attendant Horrors… Were Women to Unsex Themselves by Claiming Equality with Men, They Would Become the Most Hateful, Heathen, and Disgusting of Beings and Would Surely Perish Without Male Protection.
It Seems to Me a Defect in Our Much Famed Constitution, to Have to Part with an Admirable Govt Like Ld Salisbury’s for No Question of Any Importance or Any Particular Reason, Merely on Account of the Number of Votes.
We Are Not Interested in the Possibilities of Defeat; They Do Not Exist.
Alice Is Really a Treasure, the Clearest, Sweetest, Funniest Little Pet I Ever Saw, so Little, and so Fat, and so Active and Dear and Gentle, with Such a Funny Long Lttle Face, and Such a Sweet Little Voice.
It Is Worth Being Shot at to See How Much One Is Loved.
Your Whole Family Are German, and You Are Half German.
‘Your Connection with Denmark Is Only of a Year’s Standing.
It Seems Like a Dream Having Alicky and Nicky Here.

Did you know?

FACTS · 49

Little-known facts about Queen Victoria — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

The lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret was named after her.
She is the 3rd great-grandmother of many royals, including King Charles III, King Felipe VI, and Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia.
She dedicated the Royal Albert Hall to the memory of Prince Albert.
She is the 5th great-grandmother of Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
She wrote a letter of condolence to Mary Todd Lincoln after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination; ironically, Britain and France had granted belligerent status to the Confederacy.
She was the longest-reigning English or British monarch until surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II on September 9, 2015.
She kept a painting of Prince Albert in his coffin by her bedside.
Until age three, she spoke only German and never fully mastered English; she later learned Italian out of love for opera.
She was delivered by Marianna von Siebold, one of the world’s first female gynecologists, who also delivered Albert.
Because she was queen, she had to propose to Prince Albert; he could not ask her.
At her death, she was head of state for nearly a quarter of the world’s population.
She was the first British monarch to be photographed 1840s and the first to be filmed 1896 at Balmoral.
She is great-grandmother to King Olav V, Duke of Windsor, Tsarina Alexandra, and many others.
She is great-great-grandmother to Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II, King Harald V, and King Constantine II.
She carried the gene for hemophilia; researchers believe it resulted from a mutation rather than illegitimacy.
She and Prince Albert were first cousins mother and father were siblings and third cousins once removed.
Her godfather, the Prince Regent, refused to allow the names Georgiana or Charlotte; she was christened Alexandrina after Tsar Alexander I.
After the death of her son Leopold, she was so grief-stricken she used a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
She wore only black after Albert’s death.
She is the 4th great-grandmother of Prince William, Prince Harry, and other young royals.
On September 22, 1896, she surpassed George III as the longest-reigning British monarch; Elizabeth II surpassed her on September 9, 2015.
She was a cousin of King Leopold II of Belgium.
She is buried at Frogmore Mausoleum in Windsor Great Park.
The Victoria sponge cake was named after her.
Although associated with We are not amused, she denied saying it; family said she had a good sense of humor.
She ascended the throne on June 20, 1837, and became Empress of India in 1876.
She was mother to King Edward VII, Princess Royal Victoria, Alfred Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and others.
She was grandmother to Kaiser Wilhelm II, King George V, Tsarina Alexandra, Queen Marie of Romania, and others.
When visiting Benjamin Disraeli, she ordered her chair legs cut so her feet touch the floor; the chair remains at Hughenden Manor.
She, Prince George, and Princess Augusta of Cambridge were grandchildren of George III; Queen Mary married Victoria’s grandson George V.
The Victoria Embankment along the Thames was named after her in 1870.
Several streets and train stations in London bear her name.
Her favorite granddaughter was Tsarina Alexandra 1872-1918.
Places named after her include Africa’s largest lake Lake Victoria, Victoria Falls, capitals of British Columbia Victoria and Saskatchewan Regina, and two Australian states Victoria and Queensland.
A statue in Southend has her pointing imperiously out to sea, missing the pointing hand.
Under Salic law, she could not inherit Hanover; her uncle became King of Hanover.
In 1841, after the Whigs lost, Prime Minister Peel replaced the ladies of the bedchamber with Tories.
In 1846, Peel’s ministry fell over Corn Laws repeal; Victoria supported repeal.
In early 1855, Lord Aberdeen’s government fell over Crimean War mismanagement; Palmerston became prime minister.
Her full style at the end of her reign was: Her Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India.
The Victoria Cross, introduced in 1856, remains the highest British award for bravery. Victoria Day is a Canadian holiday on the last Monday before May 24.
Albert replaced Melbourne as her dominant advisor; Victoria’s mother was evicted from the palace to Ingestre House.
She was mother-in-law to Queen Alexandra, Louis IV, and King Frederick III of Prussia.
She was daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, and the Duchess of Kent.
Actors who played her include Helen Hayes, Judi Dench, and Emily Blunt.
She ate quickly; at royal dinners, plates were removed when she finished, leaving others unfed.
She wanted Albert styled as The King Consort but the government refused; he was given The Prince Consort.
She is the earliest British monarch with audio recordings; her voice can be heard.
During widowhood, she was close to John Brown, who gave her his mother’s wedding ring; she was buried with it and a lock of his hair.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 33

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Queen Victoria.

When was Queen Victoria born?

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. Her birth took place at Kensington Palace in London, England.
Where was Queen Victoria born?

She was born at Kensington Palace in the Kensington district of London, England. The palace is a royal residence located in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
When did Queen Victoria die?

Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901. She passed away at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight at the age of 81.
How old was Queen Victoria when she died?

She was 81 years old at the time of her death. She had reigned for 63 years and 7 months at that point.
Where did Queen Victoria die?

She died at Osborne House in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. Osborne House was her seaside retreat and the place where she spent her final years.
How did Queen Victoria die?

The cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage. She died peacefully in the arms of her grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II, at Osborne House.
What was Queen Victoria's birth name?

Her full birth name was Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent. She was named Alexandrina after her godfather Tsar Alexander I, and Victoria after her mother.
What nationality was Queen Victoria?

She was a British monarch and her nationality is United Kingdom. She was born into the royal House of Hanover.
Who was Queen Victoria married to?

She was married to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. They married on February 10, 1840 and remained together until his death in 1861.
Did Queen Victoria have children?

Yes, she had nine children, though the official record lists four: Edward VII, Princess Alice, Princess Helena, and Princess Beatrice. Her other children included Alfred, Arthur, Leopold, Louise, and Victoria.
Did Queen Victoria have any siblings?

She had three siblings: Adelaide Dubus, Edward Schencker Scheener, and Feodora of Leiningen. Feodora was her half-sister from her mother’s first marriage.
Where did Queen Victoria go to school?

She was educated at Windlesham House School. She also received private tutoring at Kensington Palace, focusing on languages, history, and music.
What awards did Queen Victoria receive?

She received numerous high orders, including the Knight of the Garter, Order of the Thistle, Order of Merit, and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. In total she held 35 major awards.
How many awards did Queen Victoria win?

She received at least 35 major awards and honors, many of which were dynastic orders from European monarchies. She was also the Sovereign of several British orders.
What is Queen Victoria best known for?

She is best known for her long reign of 63 years, which defined the Victorian era. She is also known for being the first British monarch to be photographed and filmed, and for giving her name to many places worldwide, including Victoria Falls and Lake Victoria.
How tall was Queen Victoria?

She was 5 feet 0 inches tall, which is 1.52 meters. Despite her small stature, she was a commanding figure in British history.
Why was Queen Victoria called the Grandmother of Europe?

She earned this nickname because her descendants married into many European royal families, including those of Germany, Russia, Greece, Spain, and Romania. By the time of her death, she had 40 surviving grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Why was Queen Victoria known as 'the Queen'?

During her reign, she was often simply referred to as the Queen because she was the longest-serving monarch and the most prominent sovereign of the time. The title became synonymous with her person.
Who were Queen Victoria's parents?

Her parents were Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her father died when she was less than a year old.
Who were Queen Victoria's grandchildren?

Her grandchildren included Kaiser Wilhelm II, King George V, Tsarina Alexandra of Russia, Queen Marie of Romania, and Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain. Many became monarchs or consorts across Europe.
What documentaries and films feature Queen Victoria?

Several films and series depict her, including Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897, Mrs. Brown 1997 with Judi Dench, and The Young Victoria 2009 with Emily Blunt. She has been portrayed by actors like Helen Hayes, Patricia Routledge, and Imelda Staunton.
How many children did Queen Victoria have in total?

She had nine children: Victoria, Edward VII, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold, and Beatrice. Her children married into royal families across Europe.
What was Queen Victoria's relationship with Prince Albert?

She had a loving and devoted marriage to Prince Albert. He became her chief political advisor after their wedding in 1840. After his death in 1861, she mourned for the rest of her life, wearing black and preserving his rooms as they were.
Why did Queen Victoria wear black after 1861?

She wore black for the remainder of her life after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, on December 14, 1861. This symbolized her perpetual mourning and devotion to him.
What was the Victorian era named after?

The Victorian era was named directly after Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. It is known for industrial revolution, social reform, and cultural movements.
Which countries have places named after Queen Victoria?

Numerous places bear her name, including Victoria Falls Zambia/Zimbabwe, Lake Victoria Africa, the state of Victoria in Australia, the capital of British Columbia Victoria, and Victoria in Seychelles.
Was Queen Victoria the first British monarch to be filmed?

Yes, she was the first British monarch to be filmed. A short film captured her during an autumn holiday at Balmoral in 1896, showing her riding in a carriage with her family.
How long did Queen Victoria reign?

She reigned for 63 years, 7 months, and 2 days, from June 20, 1837 to January 22, 1901. This was the longest reign of any British monarch until surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.
Who succeeded Queen Victoria on the throne?

She was succeeded by her eldest son, King Edward VII. He reigned from 1901 to 1910, ushering in the Edwardian era.
What is the Victoria Cross?

The Victoria Cross is the highest British award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. It was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 to honor acts of valor during the Crimean War.
Did Queen Victoria have a sense of humor?

Despite the famous quote We are not amused, which she denied saying, her family and acquaintances reported that she had a good sense of humor and laughed heartily on many occasions.
What was the cause of Queen Victoria's death?

She died from a cerebral hemorrhage. Her health had been declining for some years, and she passed away surrounded by family at Osborne House.
Where is Queen Victoria buried?

She is buried at Frogmore Mausoleum in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, England. She was interred alongside her husband, Prince Albert.

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Audited & updated by

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Published on March 31, 2026

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