Princess Victoria's father died soon after she was born Alexandrine Victoria in 1819. She lived with her mother and sister at Kensington Palace, and they did not have much money to live on.

She was a very modest and practical girl, and was taught at home by a governess, like most girls at that time.

She was only 18 when she came to the throne in 1837. This was the result of the failure of any of George III's sons older than her father, the Duke of Kent, to produce a legitimate heir.

This painting shows Victoria as a very young child, with her mother. Her mother had married one of the younger sons of the King, but did not expect her daughter to eventually become Queen.