The first influencer: how Queen Victoria shaped the modern world

The world's first influencer: how Queen Victoria shaped the modern world

Queen Victoria, the longest-reigning British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015, wasn't just an empire figurehead but a trendsetter whose choices left a lasting legacy. Long before social media influencers rose to prominence, Queen Victoria's influence extended across fashion, culture, family life, and social norms. Her actions, from her iconic wedding dress to her mourning attire, shaped public perception and behavior in ways that still resonate today.

Click on to explore how Queen Victoria shaped the modern world.

Victoria's early passion for fashion

Queen Victoria's love for fashion began long before her coronation. As a child, she would draw costumes from ballet and opera, creating outfits for her dolls with her governess.

Royal influence on fashion

When Victoria ascended to the throne at 18, her style became influential. She quickly set trends for women at court, impacting fashion well beyond royal circles and becoming an icon of conservatism.

Groundbreaking wedding dress

In 1840, when Victoria married Prince Albert, she opted for a white gown, a departure from the usual royal robes. 

The rise of white wedding dresses

White, once a color reserved for wealth, became the default choice for weddings after Victoria's royal ceremony.

The Christmas tree

Though Queen Charlotte introduced Christmas trees to Britain, it was Victoria and Prince Albert who popularized them.

Decorated trees in royal homes

The royal family's beautifully decorated trees became a cherished festive centerpiece, helping to popularize the Christmas tree tradition across Britain.

Scotland's rise to popularity

Victoria and Albert's fondness for Scotland made the region a popular destination. With railways expanding, Scotland became easily accessible for people living in other parts of the nation. 

Victoria's Scottish influence

Victoria's love for Scotland made it a fashionable destination among the wealthy, inspiring many to follow in her footsteps.

The royal influence on tourism

With Balmoral Castle as a base, the royal couple's frequent trips to Scotland promoted the area. Victoria's affinity for the landscape also led to the widespread adoption of Scottish estates by the upper class.

Chloroform and labor

In 1853, Victoria gave birth using chloroform, an anesthesia that had recently become available. Her positive experience with it helped popularize the practice among other women.

Impact on childbirth practices

Victoria's use of chloroform was controversial, but her personal endorsement of it led many upper-class women to seek out pain relief during childbirth.

Lifelong mourning

After the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria's mourning became a defining aspect of her life.

Grief as a Victorian ideal

Victoria's mourning practices became a model for the Victorian public. While mourning etiquette was common, her prolonged and extreme grief made her a symbol of Victorian mourning culture.

Queen Victoria

Victoria's commitment to mourning helped establish the widespread use of mourning attire in the 19th century.