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After a period of declining health, Queen Victoria passed away on January 22, 1901, at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Osborne House was one of her favorite residences. The official cause of her death was a cerebral hemorrhage, and she was surrounded by members of the royal family at the time of her passing.
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Queen Victoria's burial took place on the grounds of Frogmore on February 4, 1901. The Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore became the final resting place for both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The decision to bury her at Frogmore was in line with her expressed wishes and contributed to the creation of a royal resting place for members of the British royal family.
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She expressed a desire to be buried next to her husband, Prince Albert. Queen Victoria was deeply devoted to Prince Albert, and his death in 1861 had a profound impact on her. Her wish to be buried alongside him was a reflection of their strong and enduring love.
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Victoria disliked the traditional use of black for funerals, finding it depressing and unfitting for a celebration of life. She instructed that her coffin be draped in a white pall, symbolizing purity and hope. This was a radical departure from the norm at the time, and it caused some controversy.
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Victoria's father, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was a soldier, and she felt a strong connection to the military. She requested that her funeral be conducted with military honors, reflecting her role as the head of the armed forces. This wish was fulfilled, and her funeral procession was a grand affair, with troops lining the streets and firing cannons in salute.
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Victoria was a devoted wife and mother, and she wanted to be surrounded by the love of her family even in death. She requested that locks of hair from her children and grandchildren be placed in her coffin. This was a personal and touching gesture that showed the depth of her affection for her family.
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Despite her wealth and status, Victoria was a frugal woman who disliked ostentation. She requested that her coffin be plain and unadorned, made of oak and lined with lead. This reflected her desire for a simple and dignified burial that would not be overshadowed by material possessions.
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Victoria's burial wishes were a testament to her unique personality and her desire to be remembered as a strong and independent ruler. She broke with tradition and made her own choices, ensuring that her funeral would be as unique and memorable as her life.
Queen Victoria, the longest-reigning British monarch, passed away on January 22, 1901, at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. She was 81 years old. Her death marked the end of the Victorian era, a period of great change and progress in the United Kingdom.
Queen Victoria, one of the longest-reigning British monarchs, had some very specific and unusual requests for her burial. Here are some of them.