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FAITH LIFT | Queen Victoria, the lady behind the holiday

faith-lift

We can all thank Queen Victoria for this long holiday weekend which celebrates her birthday. What do we know about this famous individual who was undoubtedly the most influential woman (and maybe even person) of her generation?

Well known facts
Victoria was born in 1819 and came to the throne in 1837 at age 18. She ruled until her death in 1901, making her the longest reigning British monarch (63 years) up to that time. Her great- great-grand daughter (Queen Elizabeth II) surpassed her mark and reigned over 70 years before her death in 2022.

Victoria reigned during the zenith of British colonial power. She was the head of the British Empire, which extended around the world and on which “the sun never set”. One of Victoria’s titles was “Empress of India”. Britain was the undisputed superpower of that era.

Many things have been named after her. The city of Victoria is the capital of BC and has a statue of her in front of the legislative building. Regina (Latin for “Queen”) is the capital of Saskatchewan and refers to her. Victoria Falls is located in Zambia and is the highest and widest waterfalls in the world. The “Victoria Cross” is the highest medal of honor and bravery awarded by Britain. An elaborate statue of Victoria faces Buckingham Palace in London. The “Victorian Era” refers to the time-period spanning her long rule. And some Canadians will know that she approved the choice of Ottawa as Canada’s new capital in 1867 (the former capital, Kingston, was too close and vulnerable to the American border).

Lesser known facts
Her first name was actually Alexandrina, but she went by her middle name, Victoria. She was very short (at only five feet) and at the end of her life very wide (50-inch waist). If she was still living, she’d probably have my head for revealing that!

Victoria proposed to her husband (Prince Albert) instead of vice-versa since it was considered improper for a man to propose to a queen. He was her first cousin. During their 21 years of marriage she bore nine children meaning she was usually pregnant or nursing during her early reign.

She was an only child and was raised by a single mother (also named Victoria) when her father died of pneumonia when she was less than one year old. She (in turn) became a single mother when Albert died of typhoid fever at the age of 42.

Victoria was the first known royal carrier of hemophilia (a condition which prevents proper blood clotting) and, sadly, passed it on to some of her children and grandchildren (four of whom died from it).

She survived six assassination attempts, usually being shot at while riding in her carriage (she was either very lucky or her assailants were very poor shots). Her popularity soared after each attempt — a rather hard way to stay popular.

Life lessons
So, what can we learn from this extraordinary lady? Here are two life lessons — one negative and one positive.

The negative lesson is Victoria’s unhealthy dependence on her husband. After Albert’s premature death, she went into depression for a while which is understandable and normal.

However, she wore black mourning clothes for the rest of her life (40 years) which is not normal or healthy. She once said, “Without him, everything loses its interest”. Scripture calls this fixation on a person or thing an “idol” which takes the rightful place of God as the focus of our lives.

The positive lesson is Victoria’s high moral code, which was a good role model for her country and empire. The term “Victorian morality” is often used to criticize someone for an overly strict or legalistic ethic. However, when compared to our present moral laxity in the West, this high standard is refreshing and reflects a Judeo-Christian worldview which seeks to honour God. Scripture says, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34). On her deathbed, she purportedly whispered, “I look forward to laying my crown at the feet of Jesus.”

Queen Victoria certainly wasn’t perfect but she got a lot of things right. And we can all say, “Thanks again for the day off!”

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.