January 22 - Death of Queen Victoria

This Day in History: 22 January 2020

 

22 January 1901

 

119 years ago, today, Queen Victoria died, ending her 63-year reign, the longest in British history, and the Victorian era. Under her rule, she restored the respect towards the English monarchy, while expanding the British Empire. She came to the throne after the death of her uncle, King William IV, at the age of 18. After the death of her husband, she was influenced by Benjamin Disraeli, the leader of the Conservative Party, to strengthen the British Empire, and in 1876, Victoria received the title from him of the 'empress of India'. She also never properly immersed herself in the immense social and technological advances of her reign, and when she died, had 37 surviving great-grandchildren, giving her the second nickname of the 'grandmother of Europe'.

 

In 1839, her first cousin, Albert, visited the English court, and was proposed to by Victoria five days after. He accepted, and by the next year, they were married. Albert became a key influence in her life, as he became her private secretary. The couple established royal residence at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, and at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, becoming somewhat detached from London. Together, they had nine children, including the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. In 1861, Albert died, and Victoria's grief was so great that she did not appear in public for three years. As well as this, she never fully got over the loss.

 

Want to find out more about the life of Queen Victoria, and the life during the Victorian era? Click here for information on the Victorian era, and here for the life of Queen Victoria.