New
New
Year 2

Victoria's accession to the throne

I can describe what happened when Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom.

New
New
Year 2

Victoria's accession to the throne

I can describe what happened when Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In 1837, Victoria became queen when she was 18 years old.
  2. Victoria was very popular when she became queen; 400,000 people visited London for her coronation in 1838.
  3. She had little experience of how to rule the country and relied on her prime minister, who led the government, for help.

Keywords

  • Coronation - a coronation is an official ceremony where a king or a queen receives their crown

  • Prime minister - the prime minister is the leader of the government in the United Kingdom

  • Government - the group of people who pass laws and run the country are called the government

  • Law - a law is a rule that must be followed by everyone in the country

Common misconception

That a coronation ceremony is when a person becomes a monarch.

The person who is first in line to the throne becomes monarch the minute that the previous monarch passes away. It happens in an instant. The coronation is an official ceremony, held later where the monarch receives their crown in front of people.

You could share video footage of the coronations of Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III with the class to give them a better understanding of the grandeur and significance of the ceremony. Likewise, you can look at photographs of the size of the crowds in London for these events.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Queen Victoria ruled in Britain for than anyone had before.
less time
Correct answer: more time
the same amount of time
Q2.
As a child, Queen Victoria was...
excited
happy
Correct answer: melancholy
Q3.
What does the word ‘monarch’ mean?
a feeling of sadness
Correct answer: the king or queen of a country
Q4.
What was the name of Victoria’s dog?
Mash
Smash
Correct answer: Dash
Bash
Q5.
As a child, Victoria’s was very protective of her.
Correct Answer: mother, mum, mom
Q6.
Choose the statements about Victoria’s childhood that are true.
Queen Victoria played with lots of other children.
Correct answer: Queen Victoria had a spaniel called Dash for company.
Correct answer: Queen Victoria wrote diaries and sent letters to people.
Queen Victoria was always happy.

6 Questions

Q1.
In which year did Princess Victoria become the queen of the United Kingdom?
1537
1637
1737
Correct answer: 1837
Q2.
At a coronation, a king or a queen receives their....
Correct Answer: crown
Q3.
How old was Victoria when she became queen?
5
Correct answer: 18
40
65
Q4.
What is a prime minister?
an official ceremony where a king or a queen receives their crown
Correct answer: the leader of the government in the United Kingdom
a rule that must be followed by everyone in the country
Q5.
The Prime Minster that gave Victoria lots of advice was called…
Correct answer: Lord Melbourne
Lord Paris
Lord London
Q6.
Select all the statements that are true.
Correct answer: Victoria was very young when she became queen.
Lord Melbourne did not give Queen Victoria advice.
Lord Melbourne was the king when Victoria was the queen.
Correct answer: The prime minister and the government decide the new laws of the country.

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