.. under Victoria, Britain grew, expanded – literally boomed in every way. She was a champion of British technology, arts, sciences, and fashion. In every situation she required, or at the very least, suggested, British goods be used in manufacture of textiles and clothing. The new wealth of the rising middle class of merchants and tradesmen allowed everyone to dress like a queen.
(Portrait: 1840’s “Derby Day” painting by Firth shows the classes mixing at the horse races)