Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria.
Victoria (1819–1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death, the longest reign in British history to that point. Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (the fourth son of George III), and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Edward died in 1820, and Victoria eventually inherited the throne aged 18 since Edward's elder brothers had all died without surviving legitimate issue. Victoria married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Their children married into royal families across Europe, and Victoria was dubbed "the grandmother of Europe". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria went into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result, British republicanism gained strength. Her popularity later recovered, and she became a national icon. Her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were times of national celebration. Victoria was succeeded by her son Edward VII.