Victoria was the queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 until her death in 1901. She ascended to the throne at the age of 18 and became one of the longest-reigning monarchs in British history. Her reign, known as the Victorian Era, was marked by significant industrial, cultural, and scientific advancements. During her time as queen, the British Empire expanded greatly, becoming the largest empire in history. Queen Victoria was known for her strict standards of morality and family values, which influenced society at the time. She married her cousin, Prince Albert, and had nine children, strengthening ties between European royal families.