Born 1819 – Died 1901 • Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India

"Why must I suffer like this?

... It is like tearing the flesh from my bones."

Victoria sobbed as Albert lay dying, 1861

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Victoria restored respect to the British monarchy and went on to become

a symbol of the spirit and identity of the nation.  Her marriage to Prince Albert embodied the middle class qualities and values that Victorian morality has come to represent.  In 1876 Victoria was made Empress of India and became a ruler of an Empire on which, in the popular phrase, the sun never set.  When she died in 1901 Britain was the most powerful nation in the world.

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She adored Albert with a fierce devotion that no one dared criticise and nothing could dim.  He was everything to her - King in all but name.  St Paul's bell rang out, the Prince Consort was dead at the age of just 42.  Devastated, she withdrew from public life for a decade, but re-emerged a  monarch with great virtues.  She wore widow's black for the rest of her life.

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"I NEVER, NEVER spent such an evening!!

MY DEAREST, DEAREST, DEAR Albert..."

Victoria on her wedding night