Victoria Day
May 22, 2006

Victoria Day is a special holiday celebrated in much of the British Commonwealth to pay tribute to Queen Victoria (1819-1901), one of United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarchs. Under her rule, Britain built the world’s greatest empire, and English literature, science and industry flourished to create a golden era that was known as the Victorian Age. Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, the only child of the Duke of Kent, fourth son of King George III. She was christened Alexandria Victoria. Sadly, her father died when she was only eight months old. She became Queen on June 20, 1837, at the age of only 18, succeeding her uncle King William IV.

In 1840, she married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, her first cousin. They enjoyed a happy marriage, and Prince Albert was a hardworking and studious consort who took an active behind-the-scene part in Victoria’s court. They had 5 daughters and 4 sons, and they were all firmly instructed in religion and family discipline by their parents. Many British people, at home and overseas, as well as many in America, used the royal family as a pattern of respectability for their family life. At the death of Prince Albert in 1861 due to typhoid fever, she became a recluse for almost 25 years, staying at Windsor Castle and in her country estates, seeing only her household and her cabinet of ministers.

Victoria was a “modern” queen in the way that she set the precedent for a monarch who “reigns but does not rule”. She was a character of many facets. Though strong-willed and conscientious, she could also be obstinate at times. But her judgement was good and sharp. While exerting her influence in public affairs, she would however defer to the abilities of her ministers in major matters, especially to Sir Robert Peel, William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli whom she trusted. At the same time, she was a loving and devoted wife and mother, though her strong sense of discipline and respectability often made people think of her as “prudish”.

Throughout her reign, Victoria was intensely interested in the welfare of her people and in the growth of the empire. She passed laws to lower food prices for the poor and the working class (1845) and established government assisted Elementary schools (1870). The British Empire and Commonwealth grew to include India (1876), Egypt (1882), Burma (1886), the Suez Canal (1886), Australia (1901), and South Africa (1899-1902). It was dubbed an empire on which “the sun never sets” and Queen Victoria became the symbol of its unity and strength.

On January 22, 1901, Queen Victoria died in her country home on the Isle of Wight and was succeeded by her son Edward VII. To commemorate this great monarch, her birthday May 24 was made a national holiday. However in Canada, the Monday nearest to May 24 is often chosen to be “Victoria Day” in order that Canadians can enjoy a long weekend that marks the beginning of summer.

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