Queen Victoria

Victoria was awakened at Kensington Palace on 20 June 1837 to learn of William IV's death and her accession to the throne.

Victoria was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 28 June 1838, following a procession from Buckingham Palace.

A public procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey preceded the ceremony, featuring the Gold State Coach.

Lord Melbourne announced his intention to resign as Prime Minister after a government bill passed by a narrow margin of five votes in the House of Commons.

In the 1841 general election, Peel's Conservatives gained a majority, and Victoria appointed Peel as prime minister, conceding to the replacement of six ladies-in-waiting.

Before the wedding, Albert received the style of Royal Highness on 6 February 1840 and the Field Marshal appointment on 8 February 1840; his personal grant of arms came upon the 1840 marriage.

The couple married on 10 February 1840 at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London, with Victoria wearing specific jewelry.

Michael Alexander was reportedly consecrated or ordained as the first bishop of the Anglo-Prussian see in late 1841, though sources conflict on the date and rite.

Alexander took up his residence in Jerusalem at the beginning of 1842, establishing institutions under his leadership.

Thomas Liddell left Edinburgh for Canada in 1841 to become the first Principal of Queen's College, Kingston.

Queen Victoria issued a royal charter on 16 October 1841, formally establishing Queen's College at Kingston through the Church of Scotland.

Classes began on 7 March 1842, in a small woodframe house with 15 students and two professors.

The Hudson's Bay Company sent James Douglas to build a fort on Vancouver Island in 1843, marking the start of permanent British settlement.

The fort was officially named Fort Victoria by 10 June 1843, when the HBC Council resolution made the name official in honor of Queen Victoria.

Skibbereen, one of the hardest-hit areas, inspired several British relief initiatives during the winter of 1846–47.

In January 1847, the British government abandoned its policy of non-interference, realizing its failure and turning to direct relief measures.

The British Relief Association was founded in January 1847 by prominent bankers and aristocrats to raise money for Irish relief.

The Royal Navy squadron in Cork undertook significant relief operations, distributing supplies from the British Relief Association.

Pope Pius IX issued an encyclical in March 1847 calling the Catholic world to contribute to Irish relief.

In April 1847, the cost of famine relief was announced to be transferred to local taxes in Ireland.

The Poor Relief Act 1847 was passed in June, establishing the principle that Irish property must support Irish poverty.

Melbourne, declared a city in 1847, became the capital of the newly separated Colony of Victoria in 1851.

On 1 July 1851, the Port Phillip District separated from New South Wales to become the Colony of Victoria, with Melbourne as its capital.

Queen Victoria opened the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, London, on 1 May 1851.

The Great Exhibition closed on 15 October 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London.

Albert complained of Victoria's hysterics shortly after Leopold's birth.

Prince Leopold was born at Buckingham Palace on 7 April 1853, assisted by chloroform.

James Wilson incorporated the Chartered Bank in London in 1853 under a Royal Charter from Queen Victoria.

Manchester was granted city status by letters patent in 1853, following a petition by the borough to resolve status doubts.

The Manchester case established that municipal boroughs with Anglican sees could petition for city status.

Charles Davis Lucas threw a live Russian shell overboard before it exploded, an act of gallantry in 1854 recognized as the first Victoria Cross event.

Queen Victoria personally presented the first Victoria Cross to Charles Davis Lucas in Hyde Park.

Livingstone named the waterfall Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria, acknowledging local names like Mosi-oa-Tunya.

Livingstone viewed the falls from Livingstone Island on the Zambezi, becoming the first recorded European to see them.

193 Pitcairn Islanders sailed from Pitcairn on the Morayshire, arriving in Norfolk Island after a difficult five-week trip.

Norfolk Island was separated from the Colony of Tasmania and constituted as a distinct settlement in November 1856.

Queen Victoria signed the warrant constituting the Victoria Cross on 29 January 1856, honouring valour during the Crimean War.

Queen Victoria personally invested 62 Crimean recipients in Hyde Park, London, on 26 June 1857.

Princess Beatrice was born at 1:45 pm on 14 April 1857 at Buckingham Palace, London, as the ninth and final child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Queen Victoria personally decorated 62 men in Hyde Park, London, for valour during the Crimean War, establishing the tradition of monarch-led presentations.

John Sheepshanks donated 233 paintings and drawings to the museum in 1857 to form a National Gallery of British Art.

Queen Victoria officially opened the South Kensington Museum on 20 June 1857, marking its presence in the new site.

The first transatlantic cable was landed at Heart's Content, connecting to Valentia Island.

Queen Victoria sent a Morse code message to President James Buchanan, marking the first official telegram between continents.

Field returned to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, celebrated as the parent of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable scheme.

The cable failed due to insulation deterioration, ending its short-lived operation.

Brisbane was selected as the capital of Queensland in 1859, coinciding with the colony's separation from New South Wales.

George Bowen read the proclamation formally establishing Queensland as a separate colony from New South Wales on 10 December 1859.

Queen Victoria signed letters patent on 6 June 1859, establishing Queensland as a self-governing Crown colony separated from New South Wales.

George Bowen read a proclamation on 10 December 1859, formally establishing Queensland as a separate colony from New South Wales.

Robert Herbert was appointed as the first Premier of Queensland following the first election held on 22 May 1860.

Prince Albert Edward and Princess Alexandra became engaged on 9 September 1862 at the Palace of Laeken, Belgium.

Princess Alexandra arrived in Britain on 7 March 1863, shortly before the wedding.

The wedding took place on 10 March 1863 at St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Queen Victoria issued Letters Patent on 14 March 1863 to establish the Diocese of Goulburn, often cited as the basis for city status.

The Privy Council retrospectively declared the 1863 Letters Patent to have city status effects in 1865.

Goulburn was officially proclaimed a City on 20 March 1885, removing doubts about its status.

Amid conflict with the Orange Free State lasting until 1868, King Moshoeshoe I sought British protection through letters to Governor Wodehouse.

A document dated 9 December 1867, signed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, authorized annexing Basutoland to Natal; the Governor received it in January 1868.

On 12 March 1868, Basutoland was proclaimed British territory and the Basotho British subjects.

Three years after the proclamation, Basutoland was annexed to the Cape Colony by Act No. 12 of 1871, confirmed by an Order in Council of 3 November 1871.

Princess Helena married Prince Christian at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle on 5 July 1866, following an engagement announced in December 1865.

Erasmus Jacobs found the 21.25-carat diamond near Hopetown on the Orange River in 1867.

The diamond was displayed in Paris in 1867, with conflicting reports on whether it was a replica.

Ottawa became the capital of the new country in 1867, although the site was still incomplete.

Queen Victoria granted royal assent to the British North America Act on March 29, 1867, following its passage in Parliament.

The union of the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada took effect on July 1, 1867.

The marriage marked the first official recognition of a union between a monarch's daughter and a subject since 1515.

Princess Louise married John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 21 March 1871.

Henry Willis built the grand organ for the Royal Albert Hall, recognized as the foremost English organ builder of the Victorian era.

Queen Victoria officially opened the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 March 1871, following an inspection of the completed structure.

Arthur Sullivan's cantata On Shore and Sea was performed as the first concert in the hall on 1 May 1871.

Alfred married Maria in the Grand Church of the Winter Palace on 23 January 1874, celebrated in great splendour.

Parliament passed the Royal Titles Act 1876, officially recognizing Queen Victoria as Empress of India.

The title of Empress of India was proclaimed at the Delhi Durbar on 1 January 1877.

The UK Parliament voted to grant Victoria the title Empress of India, with Disraeli pushing the act through.

Key governance roles were established in 1878 and 1879, including the election of the first Master and the invitation of the Visitor.

The foundation stone for Old Court was laid in June 1881, preceding the formal charter grant.

Queen Victoria granted the Charter of Incorporation on 13 September 1882, formally establishing Selwyn College's legal status.

The college officially opened in October 1882 with the Master's installation, coinciding with the start of Michaelmas term.

Thomas Holloway founded the college in 1879 on the Mount Lee Estate in Egham.

Queen Victoria officially opened Royal Holloway College in 1886, granting the use of 'Royal' in its name.

The first 28 students arrived at Royal Holloway College in October 1887.

London Zoo superintendent Abraham Bartlett decided to sell Jumbo to American entertainer Phineas T. Barnum in 1882, sparking national controversy.

Despite lawsuits alleging violations of zoo bylaws and attempts to renege, the court upheld the sale to Barnum.

London citizens panicked over the sale, viewing it as a loss to the British empire, leading to mass petitions to Queen Victoria.

Barnum took Jumbo to the United States for exhibition in March 1882, following the acquisition.

Roderick Maclean fired a revolver at Queen Victoria as she left Windsor railway station on 2 March 1882.

In 1882, Cetshwayo was permitted to visit England, where he held audiences with Queen Victoria and other notable figures.

Prince Leopold died in Cannes on 28 March 1884, aged 30, after traveling there for health reasons.

A banquet was held to which 50 European kings and princes were invited as part of the celebrations.

First official celebrations began in the Indian Empire in February to avoid summer heat, with invitations to princely rulers.

Victoria had breakfast outdoors at Frogmore, where Prince Albert was buried, on the anniversary of her accession.

Victoria participated in a procession through London to Westminster Abbey for a Service of Thanksgiving.

Queen Victoria recorded her consent to the marriage in June 1889, expressing pleasure and wishing the couple happiness.

Princess Louise married Alexander Duff at the Private Chapel in Buckingham Palace on 27 July 1889, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

George received lessons in constitutional history after his elevation, marking his shift from naval service to royal duties.

Prince George was created Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killarney by Queen Victoria on 24 May 1892.

Queen Victoria officially opened the Manchester Ship Canal and Docks on 21 May 1894, marking the last of her three royal visits to Manchester.

Victoria requested that celebrations for the longevity record be delayed until 1897 to coincide with her Diamond Jubilee.

Queen Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as the longest-reigning British monarch on 23 September 1896.

People across Canada staged their own jubilee celebrations in honour of the Queen, with Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier leading the delegation to London.

The sixtieth anniversary of Victoria's accession was celebrated on 20 June 1897 with a thanksgiving service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

On 22 June 1897, Queen Victoria participated in a parade from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral in London for a thanksgiving service.

No supplied passage documents Victoria's 80th birthday celebration; the 24 May 1899 date is inferred from her documented 24 May 1819 birth.