She Was Raised Under Strict Control

If you've never heard of the Kensington System of child rearing, it's not surprising. This approach was used to raise Victoria up until the time of her accession to the throne. It was one of complete dependence and control. It was created by Victoria's mother and her aide John Conroy, and it dictated every element of the life of the young Victoria.

With the exception of two journeys to see an uncle, the future Queen had little any touch with the outside world. Within the palace, she rarely interacted with outsiders and was never alone. A half-sister and Conroy's daughter were her two acquaintances. The only other individuals she interacted with on a regular basis were her nanny and tutor. She basically grew up in a bubble with no more than ten other people. She had to spend the night in her mother's room.

The Kensington Method was not implemented to safeguard or raise Victoria. It was a scheme to maintain control, though. She was supposed to rely solely on Conroy and her mother for everything, even as an adult. Conroy and Victoria's mother would retain some kind of authority as regent and other family members and anyone who would gain from the Queen's influence would be excluded. The public will witness Victoria and her mother's unbreakable closeness and adore them for their pure relationship.

The strategy failed poorly since it appeared to have merely alienated Victoria. She promptly granted herself an hour of solitude each day after assuming the position of power—a luxury she had never had in her entire life—and expelled Conroy from the palace, barring him from returning.