Everything
Royal
Queen Victoria
(1819-1901)
Part I
Victoria, daughter
of Edward, the Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg
was born in Kensington Palace in London on May 24th, 1819. Victoria's
father Edward died when she was just eight months old. Her mother
kept a close rein on Victoria which included keeping her from
her uncles, George IV and William IV.King William IV died in 1837
making young Victoria Queen of England at the tender age of 18.
Finally escaping her cloistered lifestyle and domineering mother,
Victoria ruled on her own terms.
There was little
respect for the Crown in 1937 when Victoria became Queen. Victoria's
easily won their hearts. She would not be treated as a child.
She wished to be informed on all political matters. She had Lord
Melbourne as Prime Minister early in her reign. They worked well
together.
Within three years
of taking the throne, Victoria fell madly in love with her cousin,
Prince Albert of Sax-Coburg-Gotha. Theirs was one of the greatest
loves of all time. They had nine children, four sons and five
daughters who went on to marry the crown head of Europe. To know
Victoria and her children are to know the history of Europe.
Victoria (Vicky),
Princess Royal, b.1840, d. 1901 as Dowager Empress of Germany
(married Frederick (Fritz) of Prussia, 1858)
Albert Edward (Bertie),
Prince of Wales, b. 1841, d.1910 as King Edward VII (married Princess
Alexandra of Denmark, 1863)
Alice, b. 1843,
d. 1878 as Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt (married Prince Louis
of Hesse-Darmstadt, 1862)
Alfred (Affie),
b. 1844, d.1900 as Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (married
Princess Marie of Russia, 1874)
Helena (Lenchen),
b.1846, d.1923 as Princess Helena of Schleswig-Holstein (married
Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein)
Louise, b.1848,
d.1939 as Dowager Duchess of Argyll (married Marquess of Lorne
1871)
Arthur, b.1850,
d.1942 as Duke of Connaught (married Princess Louise of Prussia)
Leopold, b.1853,
d.1884 as Duke of Albany (married Princess Helena of Waldeck-Pyrmont)
Beatrice, b. 1856,
d. 1944 as Princess Beatrice of Battenberg (married Prince Henry
of Battenberg)
Prince Albert replaced
Melbourne as the major influence in Victoria's life. She was completely
devoted to him, writing tenderly of him in her letters and journals.
.
Unfortunately, the
Queen's subjects did not hold Albert in the same light as Victoria.
He was forbidden from holding any public office and was never
granted a title. He was finally given the name, Prince Consort
after being married to Victoria for seventeen years. It wasn't
until after Albert's death in 1861 that he was recoginized for
his work in the art, science and industry. He established many
cultural and industrial museums and had the foresight to purchase
lands in Kensington.
After Albert's death
at age 42 on December 14, 1861, Victoria was at a loss. Without
Albert, her life had no meaning. She remained in seclusion for
ten years. She remained in mourning for the rest of her life.
Victoria was crowned
Empress of India by Disraeli. 1876. In 1887 Victoria’s Golden
Jubilee was a national celebration of her 50th year as Queen.
The Golden Jubilee finally brought Victoria from her life of mourning
and she once again embraced public life. She toured France which
had not been done since the Coronation of Henry VI in 1431.
Victoria remained
energetic and optimistic in the last years of her life. The English
population was had a new found pride in their Queen.
Part II
British royal commemoratives
have not only been bought by the English out of love and loyalty
for centuries but by the world over. Royal commemoratives started
as far back as the 15th century with a medal being produced for
the Coronation of King Edward VI but not until the 1800's and
Queen Victoria did collecting become the obsession it is today.
Previously mugs had been
issued in the 1700's for the Coronation of King George II who
was the first to have his likeness reproduced on china or ceramic
followed by the much hated King George IV who had a lavish Coronation
and ordered many pieces made.
In 1831 King William IV,
Queen Victoria's uncle had numerous items produced including the
first royal bust and jigsaw puzzles to be offered for sale to
the public.
Nothing previously prepared
manufactures or the royal court for the adulation Queen Victoria
would receive. Companies commissioned by the court were kept busy
day and night getting ready for her Coronation. Until Princess
Diana became the most photographed and famous person in history,
it was a Queen Victoria commemorative piece that was most sought
after and treasured, especially if it was a signed or numbered
item. A signed letter or photograph of Queen Victoria sells for
upwards of $10,000.00.
Queen Victoria's
long reign saw a major increase in the population and a new breed
of manufacturing opened up with new materials and techniques being
used for mass marketing. After Victoria's reign the progress was
not to be restrained. Until the Coronation of King Edward VII,
the production of royal commemoratives was controlled by the Monarchy
or the Lord Chamberlain's office. No longer true, everyone rushed
to issue a new item. The new King's likeness was on everything
from match boxes to teapots missing nothing in between. Queen
Victoria's likeness even appeared on canned peaches and on peach
crates. Jewelry and coins were fashioned after them and thus began
a whole new world for the collector.
When we hear the
words, Victorian Era we think of the grace and elegance of Her
Majesty Queen Victoria. Sadly, that grace and elegance is long
gone!
Alicia Carroll
Everything Royal Home
Page