TALE OF THE TIARAS
Elizabeth II vs. Queen Victoria
On Wednesday, Queen Elizabeth II took over from Queen Victoria as the United Kingdom’s longest-serving monarch. Here’s a tale of the tape: Age. Victoria: 81, when she died in 1901. Elizabeth: 89 and still going strong.
Age when she took over the job. Victoria: 18. Elizabeth: 25.
Born to be queen? Victoria: No. She was fifth in line to the throne at her birth, but her father’s three older brothers all died without heirs. Elizabeth: No. There was little thought of her becoming monarch until her uncle Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 and the crown passed to her father, George VI. She succeeded her father in 1952 after he died of cancer.
Relationship (apart from marriage) to spouse. Victoria: Her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, was her first cousin. Elizabeth: Her husband, Prince Philip, is a third cousin.
Number of children (and grandchildren). Victoria: Nine (42). Elizabeth: Four (eight).
Naughty eldest sons. Victoria: Edward VII, who married Princess Alexandra of Denmark, was a serial philanderer, including with actress Lillie Langtry. Elizabeth: Prince Charles, while married to Princess Diana, fooled around with Camilla Parker-Bowles, who he later married.
Clothing colour preference. Victoria: Black. She wore dark clothing after the death of her husband in 1861. Elizabeth: Pastels, pastels, pastels.
Hairstyle. Victoria: Straight and severely pulled back. Elizabeth: Sensible curly helmet that has grayed over the years.
Reigns how much of the world? Victoria: Under her rule, the British Empire covered about a quarter of the globe. Elizabeth: The British Isles (though not the Irish part) and a few small islands.
Official visits to the United States. Victoria: Zero. Nada. None. Elizabeth: Five.
Most memorable saying. Victoria: “We are not amused” (in response to a risqué story told over dinner). Elizabeth: “Grief is the price we pay for love” (memorializing British victims of 9/11).
Number of prime ministers. Victoria: Ten. Benjamin Disraeli reportedly was her favorite. Elizabeth: Twelve. Margaret Thatcher reportedly was her least favorite.