Happy Victoria Day!

February 10, 1840

Marriage of Alexandrina Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Can you imagine calling Queen Victoria, "Queen Alexandrina" instead?

When she became Queen on June 20, 1837 at the age of 18, she dropped the Alexandrina and called herself by her middle name, Victoria. Albert was her first cousin on her mother's side.

Queen Victoria had her father and 3 uncles ahead of her in succession to the throne of England, and they all died. So it was meant to be that she became Queen and ruled for nearly 64 years.

I found all these lovely paintings on the internet. 

This is my favourite painting. 

Victoria and Albert had 9 children. 

The children pictured above are from left to right:

Prince Alfred, Prince Edward beside his mother, Princess Alice, Baby Helena, Princess Victoria.

(Victoria, Edward, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold, and Beatrice are the names for all the children.)

Edward became King Edward VII upon his mother's death. He reigned during the Edwardian era, for only 9 years. If you want to read some fascinating history, just Google these people's lives!

I dare you...

For instance, Victoria's first child, Victoria, married Frederick III of Germany, and their first son, Wilhelm, was the German Emperor who started WWI.

History is purely fascinating.

The wedding was re-enacted in 1854 so it could be photographed!

Did you know this? I surely didn't!

Queen Victoria made the wearing of a white bridal gown popular. Colours were used until this time.

Her gown is now on display at Kensington Palace.

By Loretta Houben