Queen Victoria’s reign fades into history 

Queen Victoria’s reign fades into history

Her name has dominated British history for decades and her era was a turning point in the life of her nation. But now the sun really is setting on the Age of Queen Victoria. Just months before her record as longest ruling monarch is overtaken by her great great granddaughter, our Queen, the last person born when Victoria was on the throne has died. As 2015 unfolds, Queen Victoria really is fading into history.

Victoria’s era dominated Britain but now her age is passing into history

It seems odd, in some ways, to say that a monarch who died 114 years ago this month is still influential but it is true of Victoria. It’s partly because she is currently the longest reigning monarch in British history that she has a special place in the country’s tale. Let’s face it, being second is much less memorable.  But Victoria – and her beloved husband Prince Albert – made such a mark that their names are as familiar now as they were over a century ago.

In fact, take a trip round any big city or town in the UK and you’ll find a street or a building or a train station named after them. There are thousands of places around the world that bear their names and plenty of spots where, expected or not, you’ll probably run into a statue of the queen as well. Some of the most famous landmarks in London, visited by millions every year, are all about Vicky and Bert. They’re pretty hard to miss.

But then many corners of modern life bears some lingering remembrance of this right royal pair. Just got your Christmas tree to the recycling? At some point in the festive season someone will have mentioned it was Victoria and Albert who introduced them. Popping a letter into the post today? Putting the stamp on might just remind you that postage as we know it started with a plain black stamp bearing Victoria’s image. Victoria’s age shaped modern Britain in many ways and the queen was so influential that those who changed the world often gave their innovations her name so that she is the one we remember first.

But while her mark is everywhere, the links with her are fading. Ethel Lang, who passed away this week at the age of 114, is believed to have been the last person in the UK to have been born when Victoria was monarch. On the day of her birth, May 27th 1900, Victoria was just approaching her 63rd anniversary as queen. Mrs Lang, who was the UK’s oldest person, saw another five monarchs take the throne. And her death has been marked as that of the last Victorian.

Her passing comes just months before another major event involving Victoria.  On September 10th 2015, Queen Victoria becomes the second longest reigning monarch in British history when the Queen surpasses her record and takes this particular historical crown. It does feel, right now, as if Victoria’s influence is lessening.

Victoria herself died on January 22nd 1901. She was never meant to be queen, being the daughter of the fourth son of George III, but she went on to write her name in British history in spectacular style. When 2015 comes to an end, the statues will still be there, the trains will still arrive at stations with her name and we’ll all still recall how she helped popularise the Christmas tree. But something will have changed. Her era will be truly past and Victoria will fade a little more into history.

I wonder if there is another example (battle excluded) of a more unlikely heir than Victoria, the daughter of the fourth son. Of course at birth, she was 5th in line. At her birth, the current Princess Royal was 2nd but now she’s 11th, soon to be 12th. At birth (because Prince Edward wasn’t yet born) Princess Margaret’s son now Viscount Linley was born 5th in line but he’s now in 17th (soon to be 18th) place.

I suppose “battle excluded” also involves the Act of Settlement?(George I was way down the list of blood heirs before the Catholics and semi-legitimates ahead of him were disqualified,but became third in line after Anne and Sophia when the Act was passed).

For me, Queen Victoria will remain one of the greatest monarchs Britian has ever seen!

Five stars who brought a legendary king to life