Slough's fondness for its Queen was reflected in the coverage of Victoria's death in January 1901. The entire issue of that week's Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer was printed with thick black bands dividing columns of text. Pages 4 and 5 were given over to an obituary including many details about the late Queen's interests in the local area, and how the news of her death was received in Slough.

'The news of the death of the Queen was received in Slough in the course of Tuesday evening, and such entertainments as were in progress at the time were brought to a premature close as a mark of sympathy, and the bell at the Parish Church was tolled mournfully… I don't think anybody for a moment can doubt that Queen Victoria was the most devout and beloved monarch that has ever sat upon the throne.'
Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer, January 26, 1901

Queen Victoria's reign lasted almost 64 years, the longest in British history. Born on May 24, 1819, she was only 18 years old when she became Queen in 1837, on the death of her uncle King William IV. During her reign, she oversaw Britain's industrial revolution and the rise of the British Empire. The early death in 1862 of her husband, Prince Albert deeply affected her - for the rest of her life she wore black, and performed few public duties for over a decade after his death. Her own funeral took place on Feb 2, 1901 - she was buried alongside her beloved husband in the Frogmore Royal Mausoleum, Windsor.