11 Wretched Facts about Queen Victoria, the Greatest Ruler of the 19th Century
It’s not all about power
Queen Victoria ruled half the world including Australia, Canada, and India. They tried to assassinate her at least seven times. During 63 years of her reign, Britain went through industrialization and urbanization. The British Empire doubled in size. Also, the wise Queen managed to keep the peace as her children married into royal families across Europe.
But at the time she was born, no one thought Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent would become a queen. There were three uncles and five cousins in line for the throne before her. Also, her mother imposed many restraints on her.
Victoria was the most powerful ruler of the 19th century but she was also a human who suffered. Here are the sad circumstances that shaped her life.
1. Victoria Grew Up as Prey, Without a Father Figure
She was born in 1819. Her father Prince Edward was the fourth son of King George III. Edward died of pneumonia before the girl turned one. For the second time in her life, Victoria’s mother German Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was a widow. She allowed her Comptroller to raise the girl instead of her. Mothering two older children was already enough for…
