Queen Victoria Heir to the Throne ~ 175 Years Ago...

State Portrait of Queen Victoria by George Hayter

Exactly 175 years ago, princess Victoria was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom. Only one month earlier, she had turned 18 which enabled her to take the throne and therefore avoid a regency rule.

Queen Victoria receiving the news of her accession to the throne, 20 June 1837.

In her diary she wrote the following:

"I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me 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 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that I am Queen."

Queen Victoria on the morning of her Accession to the Throne, June 20, 1837.

"I then went to my room and dressed. 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."

Regarding the Sunday services following the death of the King:

"At 10 I went down to prayers with Mamma Mary, Lehzen and Charles. The service was read by the Dean who was much affected when he read the prayers in which my name is now mentioned in the place of my poor Uncle, the late King. He preached a very good and appropriate sermon; the text of which was from the 3rd chapter of the Epistle General of St. Peter, 13th and 14th verses."

Regarding the coronation which followed a year later:

"It was a fine day; and the crowds of people exceeded what I have ever seen; many as there were, the day I went to the City, it was nothing - nothing to the multitudes, the millions of my loyal subjects who were assembled in every spot to witness the Procession. Their good-humour and excessive loyalty was beyond everything, and I really cannot say how proud I feel to be the Queen of such a Nation."

"Then followed all the various things; and last (of those things) the crown being placed on my head which was I must own a most beautiful impressive moment; all the Peers and Peeresses put on their coronets at the same instant..."

"Poor old Lord Rollo, who is 82 and dreadfully infirm, in attempting to ascend the steps fell and rolled quite down, but was not the least hurt; when he attempted to re-ascend them I got up and advanced to the 'end of the steps, in order to prevent another fall…"

(I love how she was thoughtful to care for her aged elder in the incident above.)

"At about half-past four I re-entered my carriage, the Crown on my head and the Sceptre and Orb in my hands, and we proceeded the same way as we came-the crowds if possible having increased. The enthusiasm, affection, and loyalty were really touching, and I shall ever remember this day as the PROUDEST of my life! I came home a little after six, really not feeling tired. At eight we dined."

Her reign lasted 63 years (longer than any other British monarch). She ruled longer than any female monarch in history. The prosperous years under her throne are known as the Victorian Era (June 1837 - January 1901).

When questioned by an African Prince regarding the success of the United Kingdom, her response was…

"Tell your prince that this Book (the BIBLE) is the secret of England's greatness..."

"That Book (the BIBLE) accounts for the supremacy of England..."

~ Queen Victoria

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;

and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."
~ Psalm 33:12