She was Queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 until her death in 1901.
The period of her reign is named after her, the "Victorian period".
It was a period of growth and strengthening of the British Empire and the peak of the industrial revolution in which Britain underwent many developments in the fields of society, economy and technology.
In Europe she was seen as someone who embodies the dignity, stability and continuity of the British monarchy.
As a child she received an excellent education from private teachers.
She was a doll collector, a talented painter and illustrator and wrote a personal diary until her death.
Historically she is considered a symbol of morality and the embodiment of the rigid social norms of her time.
British historian and writer Christopher Wilson has a different view of Queen Victoria.
Known for his insightful commentary on the British monarchy and aristocracy, Wilson often re-examines historical figures in his work, offering new perspectives that challenge traditional narratives.
Wilson's expertise is particularly notable in revealing the complexities and private lives of Britain's royal family.
On the occasion of the anniversary of Queen Victoria's death, and with the help of ChatGPT, we checked what image of her he suggests, and it turned out to be different from the common and familiar one, and quite fascinating:
the thrifty empress
She is known for her legendary reign, but Queen Victoria's excessive frugality is often overlooked.
Wilson highlights this lesser-known trait, noting her preference for wearing the second-best hat during significant events, such as her golden jubilee.
Such anecdotes reveal a queen who, despite enormous wealth and power, behaved with surprising frugality.
Sexual passion
While Queen Victoria publicly embodied Victorian morality, her private letters and diaries reveal a passionate and sexually active side.
When she married Prince Albert, they were both twenty years old, and their early years abound in enthusiastic accounts of frequent and happy intimacy.
Although her pregnancies were a burden on her, she openly longed for 'fun in bed'.
Victoria's complex relationship with sex defies simple labels, offering a fascinating glimpse into the hidden passions of a Victorian icon.
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Rule of contradictions
Victoria's reign, which as mentioned was spread over 64 years, witnessed the transformation of Britain from a nation of carriages and public executions to a pioneer in technology such as the railway and the automobile.
Under her watch, the telegraph and the telephone were invented, which marked significant progress.
However, her personal life was full of contradictions.
Despite her public mourning for her husband, Prince Albert, she left instructions to be buried with a picture of her personal assistant John Brown, prompting speculation about their relationship.
The Scotsman who guided the Queen on hunting and fishing, was a trusted figure in her life and confidant.
But despite the rumor mill about a romantic involvement, the true nature of their relationship remains an unresolved issue.
Secrets and scandals
One of the most intriguing aspects of Queen Victoria's life lies in the secrets she took to her grave.
Her daughter, Princess Beatrice who served as her secretary for a time, burned over 120 volumes of her diaries, deleting revealing insights into the Queen's thoughts and actions.
These lost diaries, along with rumors of her rumored relationships with John Brown, as well as her Indian servant Abdul Karim, paint a picture of a woman tormented by unfulfilled passions, in stark contrast to her public persona.
A controversial legacy
Victoria's reign was not without controversy.
She actively opposed women's rights, meddled in political affairs, and often clashed with her ten prime ministers.
Wilson describes her as a 'distraction' in the political process, but admits that her vast experience was unmatched in a rapidly changing world.
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A love story in power
Despite her stormy nature and the scandals that followed, Victoria's love affair with Prince Albert remains the highlight of her reign.
Their marriage was initially seen as a convenient arrangement - he was her cousin, her age, and marked the strengthening of the Protestant connection and alliance with the German principalities, but later this marriage of convenience blossomed into a true partnership of mutual respect and affection.
Undoubtedly there was great love, but there were also violent fights.
More than once, it happened that he, having an easy temper, locked himself in the room expecting her anger to be forgotten.
Victoria's desire to elevate Albert to the kingship, although it was not realized due to the opposition of the Parliament on the background of him being a foreign subject, emphasizes the depth of her commitment to him.
Withdrawal from the public eye
After Albert's sudden death, Victoria experienced a deep period of grief, suicidal thoughts and suffering, which Wilson suggests was a nervous breakdown.
She retired from public life, often spending extended periods at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, away from the public eye.
However, she fulfilled her duties, continued to sign state papers and stay up-to-date on all the affairs of the day and the world.
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The legend and the legacy
Victoria's legacy as queen is indisputable.
She became a symbol of the continuity and stability of the British monarchy, and of longevity, a status only recently challenged by her great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
Victoria's life, now viewed through a wider lens, reminds us of the complexities behind historical figures often simplified in the annals of history.
Christopher Wilson's insights into the life of Queen Victoria challenge the traditional narrative, revealing a queen whose personal life was as dynamic and contradictory as her reign.
This new perspective enriches our understanding of her influence on British history.
Queen Victoria Monument in front of Buckingham Palace, London,
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