Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837, and the First Empress of India from 1 May 1876, until her death on 22 January 1901. Her reign lasted sixty-three years and seven months, longer than that of any other British monarch. In general, the period centred on her reign is known as the Victorian era.
The Victorian era was at the height of the Industrial Revolution, a period of significant social, economic, and technological progress in the United Kingdom. Victoria's reign was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire; during this period it reached its zenith, becoming the foremost Global Power of the time.
Victoria was almost entirely of German descent. She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover. Her son King Edward VII belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Victoria was christened in the Cupola Room of Kensington Palace on 24 June 1819 by the Archbishop of Canterbury (Charles Manners-Sutton). Although christened Alexandrina Victoria - and from birth formally styled Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria of Kent - Victoria was called Drina within the family.[2] She was taught German, English, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and French, Arithmetic, Music and her favourite subject, History.[3] Her teachers were the Reverend George Davys and Baroness Louise Lehzen, her governess.[4] When she learned from Baroness Lehzen that one day she could be Queen she replied, "I will be good."[5]
Victoria's father died of pneumonia eight months after she was born and her grandfather, George III, died six days later. Her uncle, the Prince of Wales, inherited the Crown, becoming King George IV but he too died childless when Victoria was only eleven years old. The crown now passed to his brother, the Duke of Clarence and St Andrews, who became King William IV.
William too had no surviving legitimate children. (Although he was the father of ten illegitimate children by his mistress, the actress Dorothy Jordan). As a result, the young Princess Victoria became heiress presumptive.
Queen Victoria succeeded by her son Edward VII.
The coins above are minted by East India Company. India came completely under the British control during queen Victoria Rule.
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