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Queen Victoria is often considered England’s most noble queen. She was born the daughter of the duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg in 1819. Her coming to the throne is of great romantic interest. Her father, Edward, was the fourth son of George III. He was sent to Hanover to be educated as a soldier. A thousand pounds a year was appointed for his education, but this did not seem sufficient. He went into debt and without permission of his father, returned to England. He was sent to Gibraltar and then to Canada, where he commande the military forces of British America. Later he was made governor of Gibraltar and ruled as well.
When he was fifty years old he married Princess Louisa Victoria of Sax- Coburg, Queen Victoria’s mother. Edward desired that his child be born in England and sought financial aid from his brother for the journey, but was refused. Edward believed that he would some day be king as his brothers lived reckless lives and were much older than he. He also expected that his child would one day rule England. Funds were at last secured,though he both lived and died heavily in debt.
The couple returned to England and made their home at Kensington Palace, where Victoria was born. Her father died eight months after her birth and the training of Victoria was left entirely up to her mother. Victoria’s education was most thorough and liberal and her mother was almost her constant companion.
Victoria became queen at the age of eighteen and two years after her coronation she married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and they lived their lives in domestic happiness for the rest of their lives. They had nine children born to them and theirs was a model of home love and fidelity to all of England.
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