Bi-centenial of the birth of Queen Victoria.

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This month on May 24th will mark 200 years anniversary of the bith of Queen Victoria. She was until recently the United Kingdoms longest reigning monarch which was quite a feat for someone to live to in the 18'00's. This has now been taken over by Queen Elizabeth who is Queen Victorias great great grand daughter. Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace and christened Alexandrina Victoria almost immediately on the same day. She lived with her over bearing mother the Dowager Duchess of Kent. It was only by a fluke of nature that Queen Victoria became Queen because her uncles only ligitmate daughter died following childbirth. There were a lot of illigitimate children born at that time some died and some were not eligible for inheriting the throne. The King knew that the Duchess of Kent and Sir John Conroy would force their own beliefs on Victoria if he died before VIctoria reached the age of 18 and despite his ill health he held on to life to make sure that he saw her come of age. The Duchess of Kent and Sir John Conroy were very controlling and controlled everything Victoria did. Victoria even shared the same bedroom with the Duchess. She was not allowed to play with children other than those approved by the Duchess and had her own tutors who prevented her mixing with others. She had a dog called dash and she made her own dolls which she made their clothes and used to confide in them. She described her early life as melancholic. King William died at 02:12 on 20th of June. Victoria was woken by her mother at 06:00 and went to speak to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham in her dressing room who informed her that she was now Queen. Following signing papers later that day she was to be known as Queen VIctoria and never used the name Alexandrina again! She never slept in the same room again as her mother and when they moved to Buckingham palace the Duchess was given rooms right at the other end of the palace. She would have to send a note to the Queen asking her to see her. Often Victoria would reply. Busy. Most people think of Queen VIctoria as the ugly old fat woman but infact when she was young she was indeed very pretty! I will write a few posts about Queen Victoria over the coming days! The photo is of Victoria in her Coronation Ceremonial robes. Do you not agree she looks quite pretty!