Funeral of Queen Victoria

The funeral cortege of Queen Victoria outside St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on February 2, 1901

Historical Context

Queen Victoria had reigned over the British Empire for longer than anyone in British history at the time (she was surpassed overall by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015) with a reign of 63 years. She died aged 81 on January 22, 1901, after a period of declining health.

Her funeral saw one of the largest assemblages of royalty in European history. Before her death she had written strict instructions for the service, including that it was to be befitting a soldier's daughter and the head of the army (of which she was both), and that those present were to wear white instead of black.

After the funeral service, Victoria lay in state for two days, before being buried next to her husband Prince Albert (who died in 1861) at Frogmore Mausoleum at Windsor Great Park. Her son, Edward VII succeeded her; at her death the Victorian era ended, and the Edwardian era began.