This portrait of Queen Victoria is a study of her personality, her family life, her relations with her Ministers, her traits of character, her taste and her beliefs. In tracing the development of the Queen's personality between 1819 and 1901, the author distinguishes six Victorias: the frustrated prisoner of Kensington Palace; the Young Queen rejoicing in her freedom and enchanted by Lord Melbourne; the young bride, devoted to Prince Albert but not prepared to share her royal duties; the submissive wife who made her Consort all but King in name; the shattered helpless widow after Albert's death in 1861 and finally, her confidence restored, Queen Empress and doyenne of Europe's Sovereigns.