When queen victoria's husband,prince Albert, died in 1861 , the queen suffered a terrible depression. She withdrew from public life And spent more timesat her palaces in Scotland And on the isle of wight than she did in London. For over 20 years she performed no national duties. People became critical of the monarchy and , in a time of huge industrial And scientific progress, members of Parliament began to talk about republicanism. But Victoria recovered And in 1897 her Diamond jubilee, celebrating a record 60 years on the throne, was a great public relations success with huge processions, ceremonies And public celebrations.