Apropos of nothing, really, here’s a little something from the journal of Princess Alexandrina Victoria Hanover, dated June 20, 1837:
“I was awoke at six o’clock by Mamma, who told me that the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham were here, and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing-gown), and alone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted me that my poor uncle the King, was no more, and had expired at twelve minutes past two this morning, and consequently that I am Queen….
“Since it has pleased Providence to place me in this station, I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty towards my country; I am very young and perhaps in many, though not in all things, inexperienced, but I am sure, that very few have more real good will and more real desire to do what is fit and right than I have.”
Victoria was 18 at the time of her accession to Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1876, she added “Empress of India” to her business card, and ruled until her death in 1901.
