Victoria Regina 1819-2019 – The Birth of a Modern Monarchy

Victoria Regina 1819-2019 – The Birth of a Modern Monarchy

a lecture by Anne Anderson

When Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 the monarchy was in a parlous state, brought into disrepute by her Uncles George IV and William IV. Aged only 18 the young Queen had a lot to take on: political intrigue amongst the Whigs and the Tories, budding Republicanism and a controlling mother. Her reign nearly floundered over the Flora Hasting affair. Thanks to a judicious marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Victoria was able to reaffirm the monarchy’s family values: their 9 children all survived to adulthood, although Leopold suffered from haemophilia which led to his premature death.
Albert ensured Christian values were instilled in his children; Victoria and Alice led exemplary lives devoting their time to worthy causes. With decreased political powers, ‘good deeds’ became a means to rebuild the monarchy’s reputation. At her Diamond
Jubilee, the British Empire was at the height of its power; Victoria had been declared Empress of India in 1876. Paintings and photographs will illustrate her life: her coronation, marriage, birth of her children, the Great Exhibition, the Delhi Durbar, the Jubilee and finally her funeral.