Final answer:
The saying "the sun never sets on the British Empire" referred to the global influence and territorial reach of the British Empire, signifying that it had presence in all time zones during the Victorian Age.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Victorian Age, the phrase "the sun never sets on the British Empire" most likely referred to the global influence of the British Empire. This saying highlighted the immense scope and reach of the British territories at the time, which spanned across various continents and oceans, allowing the Empire to have presence in all time zones. Indeed, the British Empire had expanded to such an extent that at any given moment during the day, the sun was shining on at least one of its territories. The British Empire included lands in Canada, South Africa, various islands, India, parts of Africa, and had influence in places like China and Egypt—even after America had achieved independence. This extensive global control allowed the British Empire to become a dominant superpower with economic and political influence that was virtually unparalleled during its peak.