In 1819, one of Britain's greatest monarchs was born. Her name was Alexandrina Victoria. (Price-Groff 13) She will be remembered for the young age at which she inherited the throne, but also for the confidence expressed in learning to master the techniques to rule justly. When Victoria became queen, England was already a constitutional monarchy. Government policies (laws) were made by legislators and the Prime Minister of Parliament, elected by the people. Due to the Industrial Revolution, the British experienced rapid technological advancement. This change was welcomed by some, while others felt threatened. (4) Victoria reassured her subjects that she was there to lead. Queen Victoria demonstrated that a monarch with a high level of prestige and a willingness to master the details of political life could have a powerful influence on society. In the spring of 1819, Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born to Edward, Duke of Kent, and his wife, Victor Mary Louisa, (Duchess of Kent). Although the princess was the only granddaughter of King George III, most English citizens thought it very unlikely that she would ever become their queen; for three uncles and her father stood before her to succeed to the throne. Following a series of deaths, including that of her father, Victoria would eventually take over the succession. (Kirwan 203) Victoria did not have the lifestyle one would think the heir to the British crown would have. Because Edward had died heavily in debt, the Duchess and her daughter were not extremely wealthy. They received a small grant from George IV, but this matched the extent of their income. The Duchess admired none of them... middle of paper ......952Kirwan, Anna. Victoria, May Blossom of Britannia New York: Scholastic, 2001 Price-Groff, Claire. Queen Victoria and 19th-century England New York: Benchmark Books, 2003 Queen Victoria and the Crimea http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=139The official website of the monarchy British http://www.royal. Gov.uk/historyofthemonarchy/kingsandqueensoftheunitedkingdom/thehanoverians/victoria.aspxle of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 1840http: //www.royal.gov.uk/theroyalcollectionandoeurcollections/theroyalarchives/queenvictoriaduc ofqueenvictoriaandprince albert1840.aspxvictorian station, Queen Victoria 1819- 1 901http://www.victorianstation.com/queen/html