The Young Victoria

Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent, the heiress presumptive to the British throne during the reign of her paternal uncle, King William IV, is subject to a political tug of war for influence over her. On one side is her mother, Victoria, Duchess of Kent, and the comptroller of the Duchess's household, Sir John Conroy, who oppressively bring her up under the Kensington system. When it becomes clear that Victoria will become Queen, they try to force her to sign papers declaring a regency if she ascends the throne before coming of age, the provision remaining in effect until she is twenty-five years old. On the other side is her maternal uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium, who uses family ties to secure an alliance between the United Kingdom and Belgium. He wants his nephew Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who is Victoria's cousin, to marry her. Albert is coached in Victoria's likes and dislikes. When the Duchess invites the Coburg brothers, Albert and Prince Ernest of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, to visit, Victoria and Albert develop a mutual fondness, despite her knowing that their uncle sent him to court her. They begin writing to each other after he returns home. At a birthday reception in Windsor Castle, King William states his wish to be closer to Victoria and insults her mother. When he increases Victoria's income, it is rejected by Conroy, who physically subdues her in front of her mother, heightening their animosity. The King then sends the Prime Minister Lord Melbourne to advise her. Victoria agrees to make Melbourne her private secretary, and he appoints her ladies-in-waiting who are from families politically allied to the Whigs. King William dies shortly after Victoria's eighteenth birthday, thus avoiding a regency. Now Queen, Victoria immediately exerts her independence, physically distancing herself from her mother and banishing Conroy from her household and coronation. During her first meeting with the Privy Council, Victoria announces her intention to devote her life to serving her country and its people. She moves into the newly built Buckingham Palace and expresses a sense of freedom for the first time. Her aunt, the dowager Queen Adelaide, advises her against acquiescing too much in Lord Melbourne's directives. Albert visits again, and he and Victoria further bond while discussing their mutual interest in social issues. She resists a more intimate relationship, however, and he leaves. Melbourne resigns as Prime Minister after losing the confidence of the House of Commons, forcing Victoria to invite the Leader of the Opposition Robert Peel to form a government in his place. With a minority in Commons, he requests to replace some of Victoria's ladies-in-waiting with supporters of the Tories. When Victoria refuses, Peel rejects her invitation to form a new government, leading her to invite Melbourne to continue as Prime Minister. The subsequent crisis damages Victoria's popularity, leading to demonstrations outside the palace. The turbulence draws Victoria closer to Albert through their letters and she invites him back to Britain. Protocol prevents him from proposing marriage, so she asks him. Their short honeymoon is loving, but Albert soon grows frustrated at his powerlessness. Queen Adelaide advises Victoria to allow him to assume more duties. He then reorganises the royal household and dismisses Conroy for mishandling the Duchess of Kent's funds. As Victoria's primary adviser, Albert blocks Lord Melbourne and King Leopold from influencing his wife. However, he and Victoria fiercely quarrel after Albert goes over her head to Peel about replacing some of her ladies-in-waiting. But when an anarchist attempts to shoot Victoria during an open-carriage ride, Albert is wounded when he shields her. His bravery leads to their reconciliation, and Melbourne urges her to share her work for social welfare with Albert. Their first child's birth helps reconcile Victoria and her mother, who had earlier sent a letter of support during the crisis. The final title cards sketch Victoria and Albert's successful future together until his death, aged forty-two. Victoria lives on until her death at eighty-one, ever loyal to his memory and having reigned for sixty-three years.