Robert Peel is well known for his forty-year political career. His time is associated with some of the most remarkable political moves that changed the very character of the government.
His achievements include remodelling the country’s currency, improving the executive in Ireland, and redesigning the criminal justice system in Britain. One of his greatest achievements, which is rarely mentioned, was the meetings he held weekly with Queen Victoria, who was initially less than friendly.
During his first term, he replaced Lord Melbourne, a Prime Minister with whom Queen Victoria had a very close relationship and on whom she relied for advice in her early years. It was a similar relationship to that which Churchill later had with Queen Elizabeth II. While Queen Victoria came to accept and even admire Peel, their early relationship was rocky to say the very least.
This great career would be cut tragically short when a freak accident took his life.
