The city of Victoria was named after Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. The distant Pacific shore of North America, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island grew and transformed as the young 18 year old Queen was also growing into her role.
Photo Benjamin Madison
Queen Victoria had a secluded childhood, dominated by a strong mother, but once on the throne she refused any further influence from her family. At the age of 18 she married Prince Albert, her German cousin and enjoyed a very happy marriage, producing nine children, before he died from typhoid fever. Victoria remained in self-imposed seclusion for ten years after his death. Her obsessive mourning meant that she wore black until her own death.
Victoria put her stamp on most of the nineteenth century, known as "the Victorian era". The severity of the Court, her widowhood and isolation all lent weight to what has been called Victorian morality. She became queen at a time when royalty was in flux and doubt and she left the throne secure in a constitutional monarchy in which the queen or king is a figurehead for the state.
The “Victorian era” to this day is still known as the ‘staid’, ‘prudish’ and ‘old fashioned’ period. It ended with the Queen’s death in 1901.
Today, the City of Victoria, Capital of British Columbia, retains many of its early historic buildings and links with Queen Victoria, right down to the Empress Hotel located in the inner harbour.
Come visit our beautiful city on the West Coast!
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