This podcast episode of "Empire" discusses Queen Victoria's reign, focusing on the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The hosts analyze the contrasting images of British imperial power presented by these two events, highlighting the exhibition as a symbol of imperial might and the rebellion as a brutal response to colonial rule. They detail Queen Victoria's reactions to both events, including her grief after Prince Albert's death and her surprising advocacy for clemency in India. The episode reveals that six million people—a third of Britain's population—attended the Great Exhibition, showcasing the vastness of the British Empire. The discussion concludes by emphasizing the impact of Albert's death on Victoria and the subsequent challenges to the monarchy's popularity.
