Queen Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1837–1901) and empress of India (1876–1901), who gave her name to an era, the Victorian Age. During her reign with her husband, Prince Consort Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the British monarchy took on its modern ceremonial character.
Georgian Britain declared Princess Charlotte of Wales to be the country’s glory and Europe’s hope – so her untimely death horrified the nation, prompting fears the monarchy would collapse. Tracy Borman reflects on her tragic life