Victoria of the United Kingdom was born on May 24, 1819, and became queen in 1837. Her reign lasted until her death in 1901, making her one of the longest-serving monarchs in British history. Victoria presided over a period known as the Victorian Era, characterized by industrial expansion, cultural change, and the expansion of the British Empire. Victoria married her cousin, Prince Albert, in 1840, and they had nine children. Her family connections across Europe earned her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe." Victoria's legacy includes significant contributions to the monarchy and the establishment of a more modern royal family.