Victoria: The Girl Who Became Queen
Summary
Robert Harbin and Professor Kate Williams explore Queen Victoria’s early life, tracing the royal succession crisis after Princess Charlotte’s death and Victoria’s controlled upbringing under John Conroy. The episode details her accession at eighteen, her alliance with Lord Melbourne, and the political scandals involving Lady Flora Hastings. It concludes with Victoria’s decision to marry Prince Albert to secure her independence from her mother’s influence.
Topics discussed
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Introduction: Queen Victoria and the 150th anniversary
The crisis of the heir: Princess Charlotte's death
George III's sons race to find legitimate wives
Victoria's birth and her place in the line of succession
The christening and the origin of the name Victoria
Victoria's early years and the Duke of Kent's death
John Conroy and the restrictive Kensington System
William IV's reign and Victoria's rising status
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Turning 18 and the tension with her mother
Accession to the throne and the propaganda image
Becoming Queen: Independence and moving to Buckingham
Friendship with Lord Melbourne and constitutional lessons
The Lady Flora Hastings scandal
Political crisis: The Peel government and ladies-in-waiting
Meeting Prince Albert and the decision to marry
Outro and Whoop sponsor
Promo for The Trial: Russell Brand
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