"The grandmother of Europe" Alexandrina Victoria

I have a penchant for costume dramas, particularly those set in the Middle Ages and the 18th to 19th centuries. I enjoy not only watching movies but also reading books and listening to music from these time periods.

Today, I watched the movie "The Young Victoria" (2009). It depicts the life of the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. The film focuses on the first few years of Queen Victoria's rule and her romance with Prince Albert. In my opinion, Emily Blunt portrays the role of the Queen exceptionally well. The movie was touching, sweet, and funny, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, especially as I was pleasantly surprised by the story.

Trailer

Queen Victoria is truly inspirational to me. Her personality, which led her to become a national icon and be identified with strict standards of personal morality, is remarkable. The people surrounding her and the story of her life all seem so unrealistic to me, especially considering the time period when women did not have much power.

Victoria with her spaniel Dash, 1833
Painting by George Hayter

Between the lines: I love her dog Dash; this has always been one of my favorite dog breeds too.

For example, she managed to resist any attempts to have her sign a "regency" contract at a very young age, even when she was ill. She chose her own husband and advisors, and by trusting her instincts, she made the right decisions. She was kind and showed affection to the poor.

Coronation portrait by George Hayter

She ruled longer than any other monarch in Europe so far, and she and her husband produced nine children, who married into royal families across Europe, earning her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe." They had 42 grandchildren, of whom 34 survived to adulthood. Their descendants include Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Harald V of Norway, Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Margrethe II of Denmark, Juan Carlos I, and Queen Sofía of Spain.

Victoria's family in 1846 by Franz Xaver Winterhalter

She had a nickname which she earned as the "Widow of Windsor" because she mourned her husband's death for nearly half of her life; he passed away after 20 years of marriage. She died at the age of 81.