When it became clear that Victoria would indeed accede to the throne, her name was seen to be completely inappropriate for a queen of England. At the time, Victoria was far from a regal name – it was highly unusual and of French origin. Also under the direction of her uncle, she was given the name ‘Alexandrina Victoria’. Frustrated by his own inability to produce a surviving heir, Victoria’s uncle, the Prince Regent, only allowed a handful of people to attend. On 24 June 1819, the princess was christened in a low-key ceremony. By the time Victoria reached her teens, however, the death of her father, his brothers and any other legitimate heirs left the young princess as King William IV’s closest surviving heir. Few could have predicted that she would sit on the throne for more than 60 years.

Expected to be just another minor royal relative who would end up married into a European royal family, Victoria’s arrival slipped under the radar somewhat. As the daughter of King George III’s fourth son, at the time of her birth Victoria was only fifth in line to the throne. Yet though she went on to become one of Britain’s most iconic monarchs, Victoria’s birth did not herald national celebration.

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