Young Victoria at Kensington
Victoria was born at Kensington Palace on 24 May 1819. Her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Kent were royal, but not wealthy.
After her father died in 1820, Victoria’s mother controlled every aspect of the Princess’s upbringing and education, together with the manipulative Sir John Conroy, the Duchess’s ‘adviser’.
It was known early on that Victoria was very likely to inherit the throne, so the little Princess was closely supervised. Her mother even shared her bedroom!
Victoria’s beloved governess, Baroness Lehzen, was an ally, and supported her against her mother and Sir John. And even as a little girl, Victoria’s iron will showed through.
Image: Princess Victoria with her spaniel, Dash.
