how long is queen victoria's reign?
Her sixty-two year reign began in 1837 when her uncle, William IV, died without an heir.
entailment
 With a reign of 63 years , seven months and two days , Victoria was the longest @-@ reigning British monarch and the longest @-@ reigning queen regnant in world history until her great @-@ great @-@ granddaughter Elizabeth II surpassed her on 9 September 2015 . She was the last monarch of Britain from the House of Hanover . Her son and successor Edward VII belonged to her husband 's House of Saxe @-@ Coburg and Gotha . 

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 Her reign of 63 years and seven months is known as the Victorian era . It was a period of industrial , cultural , political , scientific , and military change within the United Kingdom , and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire . She was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover . Her son and successor , Edward VII , belonged to the House of Saxe @-@ Coburg and Gotha , the line of his father . 

entailment
 On 23 September 1896 , Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as the longest @-@ reigning monarch in English , Scottish , and British history . The Queen requested that any special celebrations be delayed until 1897 , to coincide with her Diamond Jubilee , which was made a festival of the British Empire at the suggestion of Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain . The prime ministers of all the self @-@ governing dominions were invited to London for the festivities . 

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 Through Victoria 's reign , the gradual establishment of a modern constitutional monarchy in Britain continued . Reforms of the voting system increased the power of the House of Commons at the expense of the House of Lords and the monarch . In 1867 , Walter Bagehot wrote that the monarch only retained " the right to be consulted , the right to encourage , and the right to warn " . As Victoria 's monarchy became more symbolic than political , it placed a strong emphasis on morality and family values , in contrast to the sexual , financial and personal scandals that had been associated with previous members of the House of Hanover and which had discredited the monarchy . The concept of the " family monarchy " , with which the burgeoning middle classes could identify , was solidified . 

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 The final transition to a constitutional monarchy was made during the long reign of William IV 's successor , Victoria . As a woman , Victoria could not rule Hanover , which only permitted succession in the male line , so the personal union of the United Kingdom and Hanover came to an end . The Victorian era was marked by great cultural change , technological progress , and the establishment of the United Kingdom as one of the world 's foremost powers . In recognition of British rule over India , Victoria was declared Empress of India in 1876 . However , her reign was also marked by increased support for the republican movement , due in part to Victoria 's permanent mourning and lengthy period of seclusion following the death of her husband in 1861 . 
