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The Final Years Of Queen Victoria's Reign | A Monarch Unveiled | Real Royalty

Real Royalty・42 minutes read

Victoria's unconventional attachments, political astuteness, and complex relationships with figures like John Brown and Disraeli shaped her reign and legacy, leading to her iconic status during her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and passing in 1901 after 63 years on the throne. Despite being a symbol of propriety, Victoria's deep attachment to individuals like Abdul Karim and her unconventional instructions before her death revealed a multifaceted and extraordinary human side beyond her public image.

Insights

  • Queen Victoria's reign, spanning from her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 until her death in 1901, was marked by significant personal losses, political astuteness, and unconventional relationships, challenging the perception of her as just a grieving widow.
  • Victoria's deep emotional connections with John Brown, Disraeli, and Abdul Karim showcased her need for loyalty and companionship, leading to political ramifications and personal controversies that defied societal norms, ultimately shaping her legacy as a complex and extraordinary figure beyond traditional expectations.

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  • Who was Queen Victoria's closest companion?

    John Brown

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Summary

00:00

Victoria: Queen, Widow, and Political Player

  • Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1897 marked her as queen of Great Britain and Empress of India, with her empire spanning globally.
  • Despite being shy and reclusive, the 78-year-old monarch made a public appearance during the celebrations.
  • Victoria's life was more than just that of a heartbroken widow; her marriage brought constraint and deep love.
  • After the loss of her husband, Victoria found liberation and embarked on a life of freedom and love.
  • Victoria wrote over 50 million words, with some deemed too shocking by her children and destroyed after her death.
  • In 1861, Victoria faced immense grief with the deaths of her mother and husband, leading her to seek solace in Germany.
  • Victoria's deep love for Germany, her homeland, was evident in her enduring connection to the country.
  • Victoria's political astuteness was showcased in her involvement in the unification of Germany, acting as a diplomat.
  • Despite her public image of grief, Victoria was politically engaged and played a pivotal role in European politics.
  • Victoria found solace and companionship in John Brown, a Highland servant, who became her closest companion and confidant.

19:09

Queen Victoria's Highland Adventures and Scandals

  • "Journal of our life in the highlands" published in 1868 was a bestseller, the first book by a monarch, detailing Queen Victoria's outdoor activities in the Highland landscape.
  • The Highland Games included hammer throwing, caber tossing, and stone putting, with men in kilts participating.
  • The journals were mild but sold over 100,000 copies, with John Brown being a central figure, much to the displeasure of Victoria's children.
  • Victoria sought validation from her daughter Vicky for the book, which hinted at her adoration for Brown, causing scandal.
  • A scurrilous pamphlet mocking Brown's legs circulated in New York, while Victoria wrote a third volume about Brown, causing outrage among politicians.
  • Victoria's relationship with Brown was speculated upon, with Dr. Reid's diary entries suggesting a close but non-romantic bond.
  • Victoria's clashes with Prime Minister Gladstone showcased her assertiveness and disdain for convention, using her illnesses to combat political threats.
  • Victoria's refusal to open Blackfriars Bridge led to a standoff with Gladstone, highlighting her stubbornness and resistance to pressure.
  • Victoria's private secretary, Colonel Henry Ponsonby, navigated her difficult personality with humor and diplomacy, contrasting her challenging nature.
  • Victoria's relationships with Gladstone and Disraeli reflected her political preferences and personal dynamics, with lavish gifts exchanged between her and Disraeli.

36:55

Victoria's Unconventional Relationships: Disraeli to Abdul Karim

  • Disraeli provided Victoria with tittle-tattle and gossip, along with fearful notes from parliament, which she found amusing and entertaining.
  • John Brown, an outsider, and Disraeli, an unlikely Victorian prime minister, both gave Victoria the loyalty she craved, making her feel valued and special.
  • Disraeli treated Victoria as an equal, amusing and flattering her, unlike the previous generation of men who talked down to her.
  • Disraeli strategically used Victoria as a symbol of British power, making her the Empress of India in 1877, enhancing Britain's imperial status.
  • Victoria's relationship with Disraeli was a political romance that couldn't last, leading to her deep grief at his death and later, John Brown's passing.
  • Victoria's fortitude allowed her to reinvent herself after losses, celebrating her golden jubilee and expanding her influence across the Empire.
  • Abdul Karim, a footman from India, became Victoria's close companion, teaching her Hindustani and bringing exotic spices to her court.
  • Victoria's favoritism towards Abdul Karim incited resentment among her courtiers, who disapproved of his rise in status and privileges.
  • Despite mounting tensions, Victoria remained devoted to Abdul Karim, even taking him on a trip to the Riviera, causing a major uproar among her household.
  • Victoria's insistence on Abdul Karim's respect and status as her Indian secretary highlighted her deep attachment to him, despite the disapproval of her courtiers.

54:47

Victoria: Unconventional Queen with Surprising Attachments

  • Victoria, known for her lack of snobbishness and disregard for social constraints, spent the last 40 years of her life after Albert finding freedom in unlikely relationships, emerging as an iconic figure celebrated during her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, passing away in January 1901 after 63 years on the throne.
  • In her instructions before her death, Victoria specified items to be placed in her coffin, including the Prince Consort dressing her, photographs of grandchildren and servants, locks of their hair, a framed photograph of John Brown, and his mother's wedding ring, showcasing her unconventional attachments that her children later tried to erase, revealing a complex and extraordinary human being beyond the prim and proper image often associated with her.
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