Queen Victoria

 On this day in 1837, Queen Victoria acceded the Throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV...

She described the day in her journal: “I was awoke at 6 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 he had expired at 12 minutes p.12 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.”

Queen Victoria held her first council in the Red Saloon of Kensington Palace at eleven o’clock in the morning on 20 June 1837. Although the new queen was only eighteen years old on the day of her accession, she is said to have behaved with “perfect calmness and self-possession.”

Victoria would rule for 63 years, 7 months, and 2 days... the second longest-reigning monarch in British history!

(Paintings via The Royal Collection Trust: “Victoria Regina: Queen Victoria receiving the news of her Accession” by Henry Tanworth Wells, 1887 & “The First Council of Queen Victoria” by Sir David Wilkie, 1838 / Image via @historicroyalpalaces on Instagram)

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