He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
Queen Victoria, the longest-reigning British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015, wasn't just an empire figurehead but a trendsetter whose choices left a lasting legacy. Long before social media influencers rose to prominence, Queen Victoria's influence extended across fashion, culture, family life, and social norms. Her actions, from her iconic wedding dress to her mourning attire, shaped public perception and behavior in ways that still resonate today.
Click on to explore how Queen Victoria shaped the modern world.
Queen Victoria's love for fashion began long before her coronation. As a child, she would draw costumes from ballet and opera, creating outfits for her dolls with her governess.
These early experiences sparked Victoria's passion for fashion, which she nurtured with her drawings and designs.
When Victoria ascended to the throne at 18, her style became influential. She quickly set trends for women at court, impacting fashion well beyond royal circles and becoming an icon of conservatism.
Victoria's style aligned with middle-class values, making her an admired figure without pushing boundaries.
In 1840, when Victoria married Prince Albert, she opted for a white gown, a departure from the usual royal robes.
Although white was already linked to wealthier brides, Victoria’s wedding popularized it as the standard for bridal wear.
White, once a color reserved for wealth, became the default choice for weddings after Victoria's royal ceremony.
Victoria's influence stretched far beyond fashion. Her family's Christmas traditions, particularly the decorated Christmas tree, shaped the way Christmas is celebrated today.
Though Queen Charlotte introduced Christmas trees to Britain, it was Victoria and Prince Albert who popularized them.
In 1848, images of Victoria and Albert's Christmas tree, adorned with paper chains, candles, and sweets, appeared in the Illustrated London News.
The royal family's beautifully decorated trees became a cherished festive centerpiece, helping to popularize the Christmas tree tradition across Britain.
Victoria and Albert's tradition of decorating Christmas trees became an iconic part of their royal celebrations, influencing generations to come.
Victoria and Albert's fondness for Scotland made the region a popular destination. With railways expanding, Scotland became easily accessible for people living in other parts of the nation.
In 1852, Victoria and Albert bought Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The estate became the royal family's beloved retreat.
Victoria's love for Scotland made it a fashionable destination among the wealthy, inspiring many to follow in her footsteps.
After Victoria and Albert's 1847 Scottish tour, tourism surged, with steamship companies offering guided trips along the royal couple's route.
With Balmoral Castle as a base, the royal couple's frequent trips to Scotland promoted the area. Victoria's affinity for the landscape also led to the widespread adoption of Scottish estates by the upper class.
Victoria’s influence extended to more than just leisure. As a mother of nine, she changed public attitudes toward childbirth.
In 1853, Victoria gave birth using chloroform, an anesthesia that had recently become available. Her positive experience with it helped popularize the practice among other women.
During her eighth childbirth, Victoria used chloroform. In her journal, she described the experience as "soothing, quieting, and delightful."
Victoria's use of chloroform was controversial, but her personal endorsement of it led many upper-class women to seek out pain relief during childbirth.
By choosing chloroform during labor, Victoria challenged the notion that childbirth must be unbearably painful, helping to promote the idea of pain relief in maternity care.
After the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria's mourning became a defining aspect of her life.
Following Prince Albert’s death, Victoria kept the room where he passed away intact, adding personal mementos and jewelry. She wore black clothing and maintained a public persona marked by grief.
Victoria's mourning practices became a model for the Victorian public. While mourning etiquette was common, her prolonged and extreme grief made her a symbol of Victorian mourning culture.
Though Victoria wore black for the rest of her life, her extended mourning led to public disapproval. Eventually, she resumed public duties, though she continued to wear mourning attire.
Victoria's commitment to mourning helped establish the widespread use of mourning attire in the 19th century.
Her grief also played a key role in strengthening mourning etiquette, emphasizing that grief should be publicly acknowledged.
From her wedding dress to her mourning attire, Queen Victoria’s personal choices left an indelible mark on society.
Sources: (National Geographic) (BBC) (Britannica)
The first influencer: how Queen Victoria shaped the modern world
From wedding dresses to Christmas traditions
LIFESTYLE History
Queen Victoria, the longest-reigning British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015, wasn't just an empire figurehead but a trendsetter whose choices left a lasting legacy. Long before social media influencers rose to prominence, Queen Victoria's influence extended across fashion, culture, family life, and social norms. Her actions, from her iconic wedding dress to her mourning attire, shaped public perception and behavior in ways that still resonate today.
Click on to explore how Queen Victoria shaped the modern world.