Queen Victoria had the longest reign among all the British monarchs. She was born in London on 24 May, 1819. She was the only child of Edward Augustus of Kent. She succeeded to the British throne on the death of her uncle, King William IV on 20 June, 1837, when she was only 18 years old. She ruled for sixty three years and seven months and died on 22 January, 1901. She was very popular with her people. All over the British Empire, celebrations were held to mark the Golden and Diamond Jubilee of her reign in 1887 and 1897 respectively.
Victoria was the queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India. Her reign was long as well as eventful. During her reign Britain became more powerful and prosperous and built up a large empire overseas. Her reign saw a rapid industrial expansion, growing humanitarianism and literary output, and prolonged peace.
In 1840, Queen Victoria married her cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. She was deeply devoted to her husband and relied heavily on his advice. When Albert died a premature death in 1861, Queen Victoria was so distressed that she withdrew from all social occasions, and led a solitary life for a number of years. But despite this she took an active interest in the administrative affairs and took all the important decisions herself.
She had nine children, who married into other royal families of Europe and now most of the European royal families are related to each other by marriage. In the later phase she sided with the conservative party.
The present queen, Elizabeth II is the great-great-grand-daughter of Queen Victoria.