Queen Victoria: What Would She Think of Social Media?

If Queen Victoria were to rise from Osborne House and gaze upon today’s world, she might first be startled by the noise — not of horses or carriages, but of buzzing devices in every hand. She ruled over an empire where the telegraph was the height of communication technology, and letters were still the primary way to exchange thoughts across distance. Yet, her values — propriety, duty, and discretion — remain timeless. What would she make of social media? Let’s explore.

## Would She Use Social Media Herself?

I cannot imagine myself scrolling endlessly through a glowing screen, nor would I dream of sharing the intimacies of my daily life with strangers. My reign was built on decorum and restraint. The very idea of broadcasting personal moments — from meals to moods — would seem not only improper but bewildering. If I were to engage at all, it would be with careful purpose, perhaps to announce royal decrees or to encourage moral behavior among the people. But to seek attention for its own sake? That would strike me as vanity, and vanity is unbecoming in a sovereign.

## How Would She View the Speed of Communication?

The telegraph was revolutionary in my time — a marvel that allowed messages to travel faster than any horse or ship. Still, it was used with gravity, for matters of state or urgency. Today’s social media, with its ceaseless stream of fleeting thoughts and images, would strike me as both miraculous and reckless. Information moves faster than ever, yet I fear it often lacks reflection. In my day, a letter might take weeks to cross the seas, but when it arrived, it carried weight. I wonder: has the value of words diminished because they now fly so freely?

## What Would She Say About Influencers?

To rise to prominence not by birth or service, but by being seen — by wearing fine clothes and smiling for a lens — would seem a curious kind of power. I believed in leadership through duty and sacrifice, not through spectacle. While I appreciate the creativity and ambition of those who build followings, I would caution against valuing popularity over character. Influence should be earned through virtue, not merely through visibility. A queen’s strength lies not in how many admire her, but in how wisely she rules.

## Would She Approve of Public Opinion Shaping Events?

In my reign, the monarchy was guided by tradition and the counsel of Parliament. The people had a voice, but not every passerby could shout their views into the wind. Now, with every opinion amplified and opinions clashing daily, I would worry about the erosion of thoughtful governance. The crowd can be fickle, and truth can be drowned in noise. I would not dismiss public sentiment entirely — it has its place — but I would urge caution in how much we allow the loudest voices to shape the future.

## Would She Ban Social Media?

Though I might disapprove of much of its current use, I would not be quick to ban it. I ruled an empire that expanded across continents and embraced new technologies. The printing press, the train, the telephone — each changed the world in ways both good and ill. Social media is no different. It has the power to connect, to educate, and to inspire. If used wisely — with dignity, with truth, and with a sense of responsibility — it might even serve the common good. But if left unchecked, it risks becoming a tool of chaos rather than progress.

Talk to Queen Victoria on HoloDream to explore her thoughts on modern life, from fashion to politics to the proper way to take tea.