Damian Harvey - Victoria

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When Victoria was born on 24th May 1819 in Kensington Palace, the royal family were not very popular. Her grandfather, George III, was still King and lots of relatives were in line for the throne. No one thought Victoria would ever become Queen but then things started to change. Before Victorias first birthday, her father, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent, caught pneumonia and died. Six days later, her grandfather died and her uncle, George IV, became King. Victoria lived in Kensington Palace with her mother, but they werent very rich.

Most of the carpets were thin and worn and they couldnt afford fine food. Victoria spent most of her time playing on her own with her dolls. Uncle Frederick, the Duke of York, died in 1827. Three years later, King George IV died. William IV was crowned King and suddenly 11 year-old Victoria found herself next in line to the throne. Victorias mother made sure that the young princess would be well prepared for the time she would become Queen.

For a start, Victoria was the first royal child to be vaccinated against smallpox a disease that had almost killed Queen Elizabeth I. Instead of going to school, Victoria had her lessons at the palace. She loved singing and drawing. Her mother gave her a diary that she wrote in every day. The young princess wanted to see how other people lived so she travelled around the country and wrote about everything she saw.

On 20th June 1837, Victorias mother woke her up and told her the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham wanted to see her. On 20th June 1837, Victorias mother woke her up and told her the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham wanted to see her.

After putting on her dressing-gown, the young princess went to see the two men waiting for her in the sitting room. There, they gave her the sad news that her uncle, King William IV, had died. Lord Conyngham knelt before her, kissed her hand and told her that she was now Queen. When Victoria was crowned Queen at Westminster Abbey, thousands of people came to London to see her. Everyone cheered as the procession went by. Old Lord Rolle fell down the stairs as he tried to kiss the royal crown. Then there was a mad rush when medals were thrown into the air. Some people worried that Victoria was too young to be Queen. Some people worried that Victoria was too young to be Queen.

They thought she wouldnt be able to rule the country but they were wrong. Victoria was stubborn and bold. She moved to Buckingham Palace so she could get away from her mother and be more independent. She liked the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, and often asked him for advice. She even asked for advice on who to marry.

When Prince Albert, Victorias German cousin, came to visit the palace in 1839, she fell head over heals in love with him. When Prince Albert, Victorias German cousin, came to visit the palace in 1839, she fell head over heals in love with him.

Queen Victoria didnt waste any time. Five days later, she asked Prince Albert to marry her. It was the happiest moment of Victorias life when her handsome prince said yes. Victoria and Albert were married on 10th February 1840 at St Jamess Palace. Thousands of people filled the streets to watch them pass by even though it rained all day. The Queen wore a beautiful white dress for her wedding day, a fashion that has continued to this day.

Prince Albert dressed in a smart, British Field Marshalls uniform. When their first child, Victoria (Vicky) was born, the Queen and Prince Albert decided they didnt want servants to look after her. Albert decided that he should look after the children while Victoria looked after the country. They had nine children altogether, and their second child, Albert (Bertie), would one day be King even though he was always getting up to mischief. Victoria and Albert loved getting away from the hustle and bustle of royal life.

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