When I think of a merry, happy, free young girl - and look at the ailing, aching state a young wife generally is doomed to - which you can't deny is the penalty of marriage.

I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) and alone and saw them. The Victoria Cross was introduced in 1856 to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War and it remains the highest British Canadian Australian and New Zealand award for bravery. After Albert's death in 1861 Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances.

She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover. Victoria married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840.