Just in time for this coming Victoria Day weekend! This chromolithograph shows four generations from 1900 shows four generations of British monarchs: the ruling Queen Victoria at the time, Kings Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII. Queen Victoria came to the throne at age 18, following the death of her uncle in 1837. She was an ardent imperialist and took an intense interest in the British colonial territories.

In Canada, Queen Victoria favoured Confederation and acted as a unifying influence for Canada’s provinces. While the Queen never visited Canada, she has influenced the naming of several towns, streets, and natural wonders throughout Canada. In fact, Queen Victoria signed the proclamation in 1845 that made Albert County its own county, naming it after her beloved Prince Consort Albert. Following her death, the Canadian government decided that Victoria Day, which had been celebrated as the Queen’s birthday in Canada since 1845, would be a permanent statutory holiday to honour her role as a “Mother of Confederation”.

The Albert County Museum is open to the public for the 2021 season starting Saturday, May 22nd and you can see this Royal Portrait on display in the Albert County Court House in a place of honour. Thank you to Bruce Estabrooks for this donation to our collection!