Queen Victoria remains the second longest reigning monarch of the UK, with her time on the throne being just behind that of our our current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. A different life she was thrown into since Queen Victoria reigned from the age of 18 in 1837 to 1901 and only became Queen after her father's three brothers died because all of them passed without leaving any surviving legitimate children. She married her first-cousin, Prince Albert, with whom she went on to have nine children. Theirs was a very close relationship and his death in the middle of her reign in 1861 set her on a course of deep mourning from which she never ever recovered. She found solace in writing and it is alleged she wrote daily, leaving behind 122 volumes of her daily life in which she wrote around 2500 words a day.
Stil, why do we celebrate Victoria Day?? Her birthday is May 24th and this first long weekend of summer commemorates her. In Canada, her birth became a reason to celebrate since 1845, long before Confederation. However, it became law in 1901 that the Monday before the 24th of May must be celebrated in her name. Her legacy speaks volumes and she is remembered as being a Queen who restored the monarchy's reputation through their civic duties and throughout Canada she is celebrated with parades and fireworks, especially in Victoria, BC, her namesake city. Her sixth child, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, is the namesake of our province. It had been planned that our province be originally named Louise, however, to honor both her daughter and her deceased husband, the name Alberta was chosen.
That's a quick little history lesson for you, now you now. Have an awesome day today, celebrating the start of 'summer' with a longer weekend!
Yours in Passion, Vision, Creation.
Isabelle