QUEEN VICTORIA
FULL NAME Alexandrina Victoria DATE OF BIRTH May 24 th, 1819 PLACE OF BIRTH
EARLY LIFE Upon Victoria s father death, she became the heir apparent, since her three surviving uncles, who were ahead of her in succession, had no legitimate heirs who had survived childhood. At the time Victoria was eight months old and her mother became a domineering influence in her life. Victoria's first language was German. At three years old she learnt to speak English and French. Later she learnt to speak Hindustani because she was ruler of India as well. Victoria didn't go to school. She was taught at home. Victoria had a gift for drawing and painting and developed a passion for journal writing. She was taught how to play the piano and how to paint (a hobby that she enjoyed into her 60s).
WHY IS VICTORIA A WELL-KNOWN QUEEN? When King William IV died in June 1837, Victoria became queen at the very young age of 18. Her reign was the longest of any ruler in British history. Queen Victoria s reign is also known as the Victorian Era or the Victorian Period. Victoria was empress of India (1876-1901). The Victorian cross was named after Queen Victoria and was introduced in 1856 for the acts of bravery during the Crimean war. The first adhesive postage stamp, The Penny Black was released in Britain on 1st May 1840. The stamp was designed by William Mulready and shows Queen Victoria in profile. In the UK, hundreds of streets and squares are named after Queen Victoria, and there are many statues of her. London s Victoria station is named after her, as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum.
WHAT DID VICTORIA DO TO BECOME FAMOUS? Whilst Victoria was the Queen, there was a huge change in the lives of British people as: Britain became the most powerful country in the world, with the largest empire that had ever existed, ruling a quarter of the world's population. The population increased in Britain, the demand for food, clothes and housing increased due to the huge population. Factories and machines were built to meet this demand and new towns grew up, changing the landscape and the ways people lived and worked. Railways, originally built to transport goods, meant people could travel easily around the country for the first time Victoria used her title and personality to help the public as she saw fit. The effects of her behind-thescenes campaigning were observable in foreign policy.
WHAT IS HER FAMILY HISTORY? Queen Victoria was the daughter of Prince Edward and Princess Victoria. Victoria was the only child of her parents. In 1840, when she was 21 she married her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, she was married to him until his death in 1861. They had nine children, 40 grand-children, and 37 great-grandchildren, scattered all over Europe. Most of Queen Victoria's children married into other European Royal Families. Queen Elizabeth the 2 nd (our current queen) is Victoria's great-great grandchild. Queen Victoria
QUEEN VICTORIA'S CHILDREN Queen Victoria had 9 children. They were: 1. Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, born 21 November 1840 2. Edward Albert, born 9th November 1841 3. Alice Maud Mary, born 25th April 1843 4. Alfred Ernest Albert born 6th August 1844 5. Helena Augusta Victoria born 25th May 1846 6. Louise Caroline Alberta born 18th March 1848 7. Arthur William Patrick Albert born 1st May 1850 8. Leopold George Duncan Albert born 7th April 1853 9. Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore born 14th April 1857
QUOTES FROM HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA We will not have failure - only success and new learning. The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them. We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist.
INTERESTING FACTS Her reign was the longest of any monarch in British history and came to be known as the Victorian era. Queen Victoria loved singing and enjoyed painting and drawing, also she loved going to the opera. Victoria's father took her to an Army parade when she was 3 months old. When she died, the Queen had 37 great-grandchildren. The Queen sent tins of chocolate to soldiers in the Boer War. Victoria Falls in Africa is named after Queen Victoria.
QUIZ
Q1) What is her full name? a) Alexandra Victoria b) Alexandrina Victoria c) Alexander Victoria d) Alexis Victoria
Q2) How many children did she have? a) 6 b) 16 c) 9 d) 10
Q3) How old was she when she became queen? a) 18 b) 17 c) 21 d) 16
Q4) What was her husband s name? a) Prince Alberta b) Prince Alool c) Prince Abdul d) Prince Albert
Q5) Which one of these is her daughter? a) Lucy b) Bushra c) Louise d) Toméan