LINNEY: This is "Masterpiece."

COBURG: I would like a grandson.

KENT: You mean Drina's with child again?

When were you going to tell me?

LINNEY: Previously, on "Victoria."

VICTORIA: I am a queen, and to be a queen, I must rule.

Yet to be a wife, it seems I must submit.

MELBOURNE: You have an instinct for what you must hold on to.

VICTORIA: I've missed you, Lord M. You always know how to make me feel better.

Someone is pilfering, Mr. Penge!

(crying out) BRODIE: Stop!

PENGE: Get that boy!

BUCCLEUCH: What is the meaning of this?

I want you.

You have me.

LINNEY: "Victoria," tonight, on "Masterpiece."

♪ Gloriana ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Gloriana ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Gloriana, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah.

♪ PEEL: So by examining the boy's head, you will know whether he is of a criminal disposition?

The science of phrenology is exact, Sir Robert.

The organ of criminality is unmistakable.

As is, if I may say so, the sign of great intellect I detect in the lofty cast of your right temple.

(chuckles, clears throat) (knock at door) Enter.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ There is a depression here in the area of causality, indicating the subject is unaware of the consequences of his actions.

What possessed you to break into the palace, young man?

(chuckles) I mean to write a book about the queen one day.

You know how to write?

Well, I know how to dictate, sir.

I would also observe in the subject some development in the lobe of humor, Sir Robert.

DRUMMOND: How did you get into the palace, boy?

JONES: If I tell you that, I won't never be able to go back now, will I?

How could he just walk in off the street?

Maybe he... climbed over a wall, like a cat.

Like a curious, curious cat who wanted to see his queen.

It sounds like a nursery rhyme.

This is serious.

What if he had had a knife?

What if he had, had, had stabbed us in our sleep?

What... What if he had hurt Vicky?

He was just a little boy, Albert.

Even I could have overpowered him in my condition.

The way that this palace is run, it's chaos.

Cobwebs in every corner, the, the drains are like an Augean stable and it's, it's porous.

Well, if it bothers you so much, then stop complaining and do something about it.

You are giving me permission to reform the way the palace is run?

Well, if it will stop you ruining my breakfast, then yes.

I'm going to let your papa show you how efficient he is.

(baby coos) MELBOURNE: Well, thank you for coming all the way down from London, doctor.

I am afraid the local man's run out of remedies.

The weakness on the left side suggests a grave disorder.

I must advise complete rest and an absence of stimulus.

The cure sounds worse than the complaint.

I am not talking about a cure, my lord.

With a case like this, the prognosis is uncertain.

In some cases, there is a steady decline, while for others things progress more... quickly.

May I suggest, my lord, that you put your affairs in order?

VICTORIA (voiceover): It's most curious.

I have written to Lord M. several times and received no reply.

He has not answered my letters, either, ma'am.

Could you go and see him and find out what's the matter?

Yes, of course, ma'am.

ALBERT: Mr. Penge, it is your duty to oversee the palace staff, is it not?

Yes, sir.

Can you explain to me why, in all the time that I have been here in the palace, the windows have not been cleaned once?

Look at them.

They are filthy.

Only on the outside, sir, which falls under the jurisdiction of the commissioner for woods and forests, who perhaps on this occasion has been remiss in his duties.

The inside, which is my domain, if you permit me... is spotless.

Thank you.

BUCCLEUCH: There are more begging letters than usual, ma'am, some even requesting an audience.

But in your condition... His nose is quite dry.

Don't you think, Skerrett?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

I shall write to Mr. Bascombe and all the others and tell them that you're indisposed.

Bascombe?

I know that name.

He wove the silk for your wedding dress, ma'am.

Oh, yes, of course, I remember now.

He managed to put our monogram into the material-- exquisite.

Well, I shall certainly see Mr. Bascombe.

And Skerrett, will you see that Dash is given a dish of those chicken livers he likes?

SKERRETT: Yes, ma'am.

(Dash whimpers) ♪ ♪ (door closes) A bushel of sugar plums a month.

Would you say this palace is efficiently run, Brodie?

Why, no, sir.

But that is to be expected.

When you come into royal service, sir, you know the wages won't be much, but it's a great honor to be working at the palace and the perks are plentiful.

Perks?

The housemaids get the household tea leaves, for example.

But what on Earth can they do with used tea leaves?

They sell them, sir.

There's still a brew to be had in them.

What about you, Brodie?

What's your perk?

I take the paper you throw away, sir.

Not to sell, but to write on.

I'm trying to... develop my prose style.

♪ ♪ DRIVER: Whoa.

EMMA (voiceover): I have brought you a letter from the queen.

You should have told me you were coming.

I'd have arranged all manner of entertainments.

If I had told you I was coming, you would have found a way to put me off.

Yeah, well, that's probably true.

I have become something of a hermit of late.

The queen would to know why you haven't answered her letters.

I've found myself with nothing to say.

I think she would find that hard to believe.

Well, what to tell her?

Tell her there's nothing wrong with me apart from congenital laziness.

How's that?

♪ ♪ Hm?

He just doesn't want to play today.

LEHZEN: He's getting older, ma'am.

Dash isn't old.

Are you?

Sit there.

Mr. Bascombe, Your Majesty.

Oh, yes.

Mr. Bascombe.

How can I help you?

Your Majesty.

I come on behalf of the silk weavers of Spitalfields.

We come to you to implore you to preserve our livelihood from the import of silk from the continent.

(sighs) Well, I, I'm not sure that I could... Look at this silk.

You can see how lustrous it is.

How the warp and weft are separate, but harmonious.

Now look at this foreign material.

Can you see how dull it is in comparison?

How crude the colors are?

Yes, yes, I can see the difference.

I have a son.

Nathaniel.

I always thought he'd succeed me, my loom at Fournier Street.

But if we allow this inferior material to put us out of business, then he'll have no profession.

He'll just be another hungry boy on the streets of London, looking for work.

♪ ♪ PEEL: But the government cannot introduce a tariff to protect every industry threatened by cheaper imports, ma'am.

But isn't that exactly what the Corn Laws do, Sir Robert?

Protect English farmers from the imports of cheaper corn?

ALBERT: I fear you may be oversimplifying things, Victoria.

The two cases are very different, ma'am.

Yes, the silk weavers of Spitalfields do not have seats in the House of Lords.

DRUMMOND: I wonder, ma'am, if I might make a suggestion?

As the leader of fashionable society, if you were to make it known that you will only wear Spitalfields silk...

Indeed, ma'am, if you were to preside at an occasion at which all the guests were required to wear it, well, that, I believe, would bring the matter to the public's attention as nothing else could.

An excellent notion.

What about a ball?

Of course, it would have to be soon.

PEEL: I wonder, ma'am, given the considerable discontent among the lower orders at the moment, whether a ball might be... misconstrued.

Misconstrued, prime minister?

PEEL: I am thinking of Marie Antoinette, the late queen of France, ma'am, who when the Paris mob demanded bread, replied, "Let them eat cake."

If I were a member of the lower orders, I might blame the prime minister, who supports the Corn Laws that make bread unaffordable for my misfortunes.

PEEL: These are difficult times, sir.

Another bad harvest, strikes in the north.

The country is in a state of unrest.

The Chartists claim to have three million signatures to their petition.

This ball of Her Majesty's could not have come at a worse time.

I understand your concern.

Let me speak with the queen.

(Ernest playing Mendelssohn on piano) The ball must be fancy dress, so that everyone will have a new costume made of Spitalfields silk.

And it will be a chance to see so many old friends.

Harriet must come.

EMMA: Yes, ma'am.

VICTORIA: And I have written to Lord M. I want to fill my dance card.

Surely, you're not intending to dance, ma'am.

(piano continues) And why on Earth not?

ERNEST: Oh, Duchess, you cannot keep all the partners to yourself.

If I dance the first two sets with you, I think I should be allowed at least one waltz with Victoria.

(sniffing) A woman in your condition should not be gallivanting, ma'am.

I believe you have a cold, duchess.

You have my permission to withdraw.

♪ ♪ ERNEST (voiceover): I was wondering if we could have a medieval theme.

VICTORIA: This is Edward III.

He founded the Order of the Garter.

Well, he reminds me of you.

Is it right, Victoria, for us to hold a ball when so many of your people are starving?

But this is a way of trying to help them, Albert.

ERNEST: I think you have the legs of a Plantagenet.

(Albert and Victoria chuckle) And I think you would look magnificent in a crown, don't you think, Ernest?

ERNEST: Well, to the manner born, I would say.

(book slams shut) (footsteps approaching) (knocking) As you know, the prince is determined to make economies at the palace.

Will that include the 500 bottles of champagne for the ball, baroness?

I felt I should tell you that the prince has been examining the cellar books, and he has found orders here that date back to the time of the queen's grandfather.

It is not my business to unorder things, baroness.

No, indeed.

But what puzzles me is why the cellars appear to be almost empty.

You exaggerate, baroness.

The bottles taken from the cellar cannot be returned, corks once drawn may not be replaced, and yesterday's wine may not be served upstairs.

(pouring wine): And I, like His Royal Highness, will not tolerate waste.

To be honest, I don't blame you, Mr. Penge.

I've learned that taking these small liberties is the English way.

But the prince will not see it that way, and he will look for someone to blame.

I wonder who that will be, baroness?

Me or you?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Here are Edward III and his wife, Queen Philippa of Hainault.

Edward once laid siege to the town of Calais.

But rather than destroy the whole town, he asked that six of its most prominent citizens surrender themselves to him.

He was going to execute these poor grey-bearded old men until his wife, the kindly Queen Philippa, pleaded with him on the life of their unborn child to spare their lives.

Such a charming story.

And so fitting.

PLANCHE: Might I show you the stained glass, ma'am?

(clears throat) You are intending to attend the ball, then, sir?

The queen is of the belief that this... spectacle, as you call it, will it remind the rich of their obligation to the poor.

I understand the queen means well, but I beg you, sir, ask her to reconsider.

The queen has made up her mind, I'm afraid, Sir Robert, and there is nothing that I would say that could change it.

♪ ♪ (quietly): Allow me to show you the carving in the east transept.

(indistinct chatter) Have you chosen your costume yet, sir?

Are you going to be a knight?

Oh, I think there will be enough armor at the ball.

I would like to go as someone completely different, a cat among the heraldic pigeons.

Someone like Robin Hood?

He was an outlaw who lived in Sherwood Forest with his band of archers, fighting for King Richard against the wicked usurper, King John.

A lawless archer.

Yes, I think that would suit me very well.

(metal clanging, shouting) CHARTIST: One man, one vote.

Sign the petition here.

If you can't sign your name, just make your mark.

One man, one vote.

Come on, sir, don't be shy.

Sign the petition here!

There.

(gasps, laughs) Shall we put it on her?

ELIZA: Silk?

The queen is expecting again.

I've been doing the alterations.

That was quick.

SKERRETT: Don't think she's too happy about it.

ELIZA: Doesn't make any difference if you're the queen or a laundry maid, you get caught just the same.

You should count yourself lucky, Nancy.

I should go.

Her Majesty has a fitting for her ball costume.

Thought you said she was expecting.

The queen thinks that it will help the silk weavers to have another ball.

(snorts): Sounds like an excuse for a party to me.

I think she means well.

I'm sure she does, but she don't know what it means to be hungry.

When someone eats a pie in the street out there, the kids follow behind like birds looking for crumbs.

They don't need balls.

They need bread.

♪ ♪ The whole of London is in a state of excitement about the ball.

I shall be going as the abbess of Woldingham.

A woman who wields power with discretion.

The habit will suit you very well.

But how will you dance?

My husband tells me I am too old for dancing.

And you?

Have you chosen a costume?

I thought I might go as Dante, on his way to Paradise, not the other place.

So you are going to come?

Why shouldn't I?

It's just... you have not been quite yourself lately.

No, a little under the weather, perhaps.

Nothing a bit of beef tea and some mustard plasters won't put right.

If only there was someone who could take care of you.

I have the rooks to keep me company.

I wish you would be serious, William.

Oh, life's too short to be serious, Emma.

♪ ♪ FOOTMAN: From Garrard's, ma'am.

Thank you.

♪ ♪ This is for you.

Me?

Yes, you.

Oh, well, we have not yet finished the memorandum into the Treaty of Nanking, so we can open the box when we've finished our work.

All right, Albert, you finish the memorandum.

(gasps in delight) Oh, it's perfect.

It's just perfect.

Don't you think, Dash?

(Dash whimpers) (sighs) I wonder if it will fit.

Hmmm.

Very well.

Oh!

Well, aren't you going to finish the memorandum?

Um, you're not going to let me look in the box?

(chuckling): Say, "please."

(sighs) Please, Victoria, open the box.

Open it!

Aren't you going to try it on?

(gasps) Fits you perfectly.

What do you think, Dash?

Do you like it?

Hmm?

My liege.

(giggling) (threads stretching on loom) BRIGHT (voiceover): Is her majesty so naive that she believes her patronage to the weavers of Spitalfields might house the countless women and children on her streets?

How does that benefit the poor people and weavers of Spitalfields that their queen wears a costume to a ball of a value of 64,000 pounds?

(members shouting) MEMBER: Well said, sir!

MEMBER: Answer the question!

MEMBER: Answer the question!

(members shouting) BRIGHT: For once, Sir Robert is speechless.

MEMBER: Shame on you, sir.

BRIGHT: I stand today to speak for those who shall no longer be forgotten.

PEEL: Sit down, I say, sir!

BRIGHT: The millions amongst whom we live shall no longer be left to starve... PEEL: The queen is doing what she thinks is right for the country, sir.

BRIGHT: It has become clear that the keepers of wealth are not the keepers of compassion.

In their rampant extravagance... PEEL: Sit down, I say!

BRIGHT: ...they expose their callous inhumanity.

Shame on you, sir!

Shame on you!

PEEL: What have the Whigs ever done for the poor people in this country, sir?

SPEAKER: Order!

Order!

BRIGHT: What the past tells us, the future will confirm.

The people will take back what is justly theirs.

(playing fanfare) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (applause) Oh, don't the queen and the prince look magnificent, Aunt?

Like something out of Walter Scott.

This whole rigmarole is just an excuse for the prince to play the king.

(applause continues) (playing medieval-style dance) (party music fades) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CLEARY: It's like a fairy tale.

Yes, that's exactly what it's like.

(dance music continues) (music ends, light applause) May a humble outlaw request the pleasure of a dance?

I fear I am out of practice, sir.

Nonsense.

Once you have learnt the step, one never forgets.

I wish I had danced more when I was younger.

♪ ♪ (medieval-style music playing in background) Can I be of assistance, ma'am?

Thank you.

(laughs): Lord M.!

My disguise is not very effective, it seems.

I am so glad you could come.

Why, I see so little of you now.

Well, I am no longer your prime minister, ma'am.

We are both rather busy elsewhere.

I suppose your orchids must be very time-consuming.

Very.

I did wonder if you might be unwell.

Illness is for people with nothing better to do, ma'am.

Well, then you have no excuse for not answering my letters.

Well, I would if I thought you really needed my counsel, ma'am.

But you're quite capable now of going your own way.

You don't need me to tell you when you're doing the right thing.

I see.

Perhaps you are right, Lord Melbourne.

After all, we cannot be as we were.

No, indeed.

Shall we join the party?

(music playing) ♪ ♪ You see?

You remember the steps perfectly.

Well, you, I feel sure, have been practicing.

You know, Harriet, nothing has changed.

May I write to you, please?

There's no point.

Then why are you are dancing with me?

Because I cannot forget.

(music ends) (applause) I have never seen anything so splendid.

You are easily dazzled, Drummond.

Did you see the crowds lining the Mall?

I wonder what they would make of this display.

If I didn't know better, sir, I could mistake you for a radical.

I am no radial, sir, I am a Christian.

"It is easier," Drummond, "for a camel "to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Matthew 19:24.

♪ ♪ You know that crying at the palace ball is not allowed, Miss Coke.

(unsteadily): I'm... not crying.

Oh, I'm glad.

Don't want to tell the duchess.

I'm sure she has very strong views about weeping in public.

I'm not weeping, either.

(sniffles) Then may I have the pleasure of the next dance?

♪ ♪ (crowd shouting angrily) (music playing, laughter) MELBOURNE: What a magnificent spectacle, ma'am.

My current prime minister thinks it's altogether too splendid.

But look at all the beautiful silk, woven especially for the occasion.

I want this ball to be a symbol of how the crown can help the people.

You make a very persuasive case, ma'am.

And do you agree with me?

I think the ball has many admirable features.

I wanted him to have his own crown.

I'm sure he's very grateful, ma'am, as I am sure are the silk weavers.

You don't talk like you used to.

I'm out of practice, ma'am.

(orchestra starts playing waltz) Shall we dance?

After all, it won't be long until my dancing days are over.

I would like to, ma'am, but I...

But it's a waltz, Lord M. In that case, we must seize the moment.

(waltz continuing) VICTORIA You know, all those years, growing up in Kensington, I never knew what it meant to be happy.

But you knew it was possible.

Oh, I knew I would make my own way, one day.

There could be no doubt about that, ma'am.

I really do think that... you and the prince... just what the country needs.

You're a beacon of... You're a beacon of... (falters) (groans) Whatever's the matter?

(groans) The prince is asking for you, ma'am.

It, it can wait... No, ma'am, he is most insistent.

(sighs) You don't miss much, do you, Emma?

I have spent my life watching you, William.

(orchestra playing) PAGET: O, what can ail thee, knight at arms, alone and palely loitering?

Why aren't you in there delighting the damsels?

I don't know, Lord Alfred.

Why aren't you?

(music stops, applause) (crowd shouting angrily) Look at all those people.

What are they doing, Mrs. Skerrett?

Dreaming of a decent meal and a warm bed, I expect.

PENGE: Now is the winter of our discontent.

Albert?

(crowd shouting angrily outside) ♪ ♪ (shouting continues) ♪ ♪ (laughter) ♪ ♪ (shouting) ♪ ♪ (laughter) (shouting) ♪ ♪ Are you feeling the weight of it already, Albert?

Well...

I think my outlaw days are over.

(birds chirping) ♪ ♪ (sighs): Such a waste.

Yes, ma'am.

I think the remains should be distributed to the poor.

Excellent idea, ma'am.

(Parliament members clamoring) BRIGHT: Mr. Speaker!

According to the "Morning Chronicle," the weavers of Spitalfields "will dine for a day or two and, the ball over, they relapse into brooding on doorsteps."

(members shouting) Order!

Order!

VICTORIA (voiceover): Pages of criticism, but nothing about the real purpose.

I wish I'd never held the stupid ball.

Really, why can't people see I was only trying to help?

In my experience, ma'am, no good deed ever goes unpunished.

May I have a word, ma'am?

I wonder if I might take a leave of absence to visit my sister?

She has had a difficult confinement and I would very much like to help in her recovery.

Of course, Emma.

You must go if your sister needs you.

I hope you won't stay away too long.

The duchess is not the most congenial companion.

I will come back as soon as I'm no longer needed, ma'am.

Doesn't your sister's estate lie next to Brocket Hall?

Well remembered, ma'am.

So you can see Lord M., whenever you like.

That is true, ma'am.

Dash!

(piano music playing) (music continues) (music stops) I do not mean to interrupt, but I wanted to say goodbye.

Goodbye?

I am going back to Coburg.

I do not trust my father to behave without me.

And I wish you bon voyage, sir.

I'm just going to check to see if the mews has your carriage ready.

Goodbye.

These are for you, Miss Coke.

Chopin.

I have enjoyed playing with you very much.

I wanted to give you something to remember me by.

I appreciate the thought, sir.

But you must not only play Chopin, Miss Coke.

I do not think the duchess would like it.

No, sir.

Auf Wiedersehen.

(door opens, closes) You were right, Sir Robert.

I should have listened to you.

To hold a ball, it was not sensitive.

No, sir, it was not.

I allowed myself to be persuaded.

The queen was so determined.

But, well, although I happened to be wearing the crown that night, I cannot resist her, even if I'd wanted to.

You do not need a crown, sir, to do great things for this country.

I am afraid I am not sure that I agree with you.

Take a look over here, sir.

You see there?

That is the site of the new Parliament building.

At the moment, nothing is being done because no one can agree what sort of building it should be or how much it should cost.

What this vital project requires, sir, is a patron.

A patron who is above party.

A man of taste who can shape the building that will house the political heart of this country.

But I believe that you are a man who looks to the future.

And that is precisely what we need.

(horses nickering, wheels slowing) ♪ ♪ (dog barking in distance) WOMAN: Watch yourself!

(liquid pouring in street) (dog barking) (bird tweeting) (loom snaps) Good day, Mr. Bascombe, Master Bascombe.

I hope I do not disturb you.

Your Majesty.

(bird tweeting) (gasps) Such a delightful noise.

Yes.

We like to whistle with them as we work.

This... this is an honor beyond my wildest dreams, ma'am.

You are busy?

(chuckling): I can't work fast enough.

Even with Nathaniel, I can't keep up with the orders.

So the ball brought you some benefit?

Ah... Do you see this silk?

This is Nathaniel's work.

He has a real way with the thread.

He will be a master weaver one day, and, well, that's thanks to you and your kindness, ma'am.

DRUMMOND: This is Westminster Hall, the only part of the original Parliament building to survive the fire.

Please.

(bell tolling) Lord Melbourne?

Oh, Your Royal Highness.

I didn't see you come in.

ALBERT: You were in a Traumerei, I believe-- a daydream.

MELBOURNE: Oh...

Yes, I was... admiring the ceiling, sir.

Ah, please.

Thank you.

It's 500 years old.

I gave the order to save it from the fire.

Sometimes think it's my most lasting achievement.

It is magnificent.

Lord Melbourne, did you know that, um... Sir Robert Peel has asked me to be the patron of the new Parliament building.

Oh, a capital idea.

Now, that's a job well worth doing.

You think that Parliament will listen to the ideas of a foreign prince?

Oh, well, there may be a few grumbles, but, no, I think a lot of them will be very pleased to have a disinterested party in charge.

Oh, I know you'll make a good job of it.

Thank you.

That's very kind.

(sighs): Wish I had built something now.

Left some sort of impression on this country.

ALBERT: You were the prime minister.

Oh, any damn fool can be prime minister, but to leave behind a thing of beauty, something like this... Something that people will marvel over centuries from now, that's... That's worth living for.

You are in an elegiac mood, Lord Melbourne.

Elegiac.

Yes, I suppose I am.

Please forgive me for asking, but, um... Are you quite well?

No, I can't say that I am, sir.

I can't say that I am.

Is there anything I can do?

I don't want the queen to know.

She'd be very distressed.

I think I could bear anything but that.

Of course.

♪ ♪ (thunder rumbling) ♪ ♪ All alone?

Emma Portman has gone to her sister's.

Harriet has left and Lord M. never comes to town.

I saw him today.

You saw him?

Was he well?

At the ball, he did not quite seem himself.

What is it?

What is it, Albert?

You must tell me the truth.

But if I do, I will be breaking a promise.

Lord Melbourne is ill. That must be why Emma... No.

Gravely so.

Why didn't he tell me?

He does not want you to know.

So as you care for him, you must say nothing.

The prince wants to see you, Mr. Penge.

ALBERT (voiceover): After analyzing the household accounts, I have made two discoveries.

One is that the system for ordering defies all logic.

In some instances appears to be organized fraud against the royal purse.

But my second discovery is that the royal servants' wages are... uncommonly low.

So that leads me to conclude that were those wages increased, then perhaps the accounts would become more sensible.

Do you believe that I'm correct, baroness?

It is an interesting idea, sir.

PENGE: If I may say so, sir, you have hit the nail on the head.

PENGE (voiceover): So I said to His Royal Highness, "Sir, if you want honest servants, you want to pay them an honest wage."

And what did the prince say to that, Mr. Penge?

He said... "Thank you, Mr. Penge.

"That is a remarkable insight and one that I shall implement immediately."

CLEARY: Does that mean... we get more money?

Hmm.

Thank you, Mr. Penge!

(applause) Who knew that Penge could be so persuasive, eh?

Ah, who indeed?

What have you got there, Brodie?

Your accounts book?

It's a diary.

The prince gave it to me.

He must think your words are valuable.

(hooves clomping) BUTLER: Her Majesty the queen.

I'm glad to have caught you before you disappeared back to Brocket Hall.

Your Majesty, please allow me to apologize for not saying goodnight at the ball.

There is no need.

Please, sit.

I have brought you something.

(Winding) You just wind it up here... ("The Queen of the Night" aria from "The Magic Flute" playing) And you can have music.

Whenever you want.

Mozart.

Your favorite.

It's most ingenious, ma'am.

But may I ask, what I have done to deserve such a magnificent gift?

I thought you might like to listen to it sometimes.

Mmm.

When you're at Brocket Hall.

I shan't be able to travel much soon, and so I wanted you to have something... To remind you... Of all the fun to be had in London when you choose to return.

That's most thoughtful.

It is a beautiful thing.

These are such difficult times.

I wish you were not so far away.

Oh, I feel quite certain that you can manage without me now, ma'am.

You will write to me?

Yes.

Yes, of course.

When you return from Brocket Hall, we must go riding in the park like we used to.

Such talks we had, ma'am.

I learnt so much from you, you know?

You learnt from me?

More than you can imagine.

♪ ♪ Goodbye, Lord M. (sighs): Thank you.

(sniffles) ♪ ♪ (sobbing) Oh, Liebes.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

(sobbing) (weeping): He was always there.

I know.

(sobbing) I can't bear it.

Yes, you can.

He was old, Liebes.

It is his time to come.

I will miss him so much.

Everything changes, Victoria.

Except us.

(fire crackling) (playing aria irregularly) (bird stops singing) ♪ ♪ VICTORIA: "His attachment was without selfishness; "his playfulness without malice; "his fidelity without deceit.

"Reader, if you would live beloved and die regretted, profit by example of Dash."

(birds chirping) (Victoria screaming in distance) ♪ ♪ (Victoria crying out) (cries continue) (screaming) Your Majesty!

Majesty!

(moaning) Is this really necessary?

(screams continue) You'll be fine, you'll be fine.

Liebes.

Victoria, Victoria, look at me.

Look at me, look at me.

It will be over soon-- I promise, I promise.

(whispering): It will be fine.

It will be fine.

Gentlemen... ...we have a Prince of Wales.

(applause) Isn't he beautiful?

All babies look like frogs to me.

♪ ♪ (bell ringing) Ah, guten Abend, meinen Lieben.

(chuckling) Liebchen.

(laughter turns into coughing) (gasping) (gasping) Albert?

Hmm... Victoria, what's the matter?

♪ ♪ I couldn't sleep.

What is it?

You do not seem yourself.

Is it Dash?

Duchess of Buccleuch?

You do not like my new mustache?

I don't know.

BUCCLEUCH (voiceover): Lady Holland's attire was entirely unsuitable for the occasion.

One would have thought she was going to the opera, her decollete was so extreme.

As for her jewelry, diamonds in the daytime, indeed.

Indeed.

I don't think she should be on the list for your next drawing room.

I won't be holding a drawing room.

But... it's the start of the season, ma'am.

The prince can officiate.

I'm not ready to appear in public.

(playing note) (note repeats) (note repeats) (note repeats) ♪ Du holde Kunst ♪ ♪ In wieviel grauen Stunden ♪ ♪ Wo mich des lebens wilder Kreis umstrickt ♪ (piano joins in) ♪ Hast du mein Herz ♪ Zu warmer lieb'entzunden ♪ ♪ Hast mich in eine bessre Welt... ♪ (discordant notes from piano) (unaccompanied): ♪ ...entruckt... ♪ (unaccompanied): ♪ In eine bessre Welt ♪ ♪ En... ♪ ♪ ...truckt.

♪ ♪ ♪ (wheels rattling against cobblestones) (crowd chattering and exclaiming) (knocking on door) It's Her Majesty's senior dresser, as I live and breathe.

Welcome to our humble abode.

I came as soon as I could.

You said it was urgent.

It's not.

No, she's better now.

The doctor gave her some medicine.

Thank God.

(Emily coughs) SKERRETT: Shh, it's all right, Emily.

It's all right.

(dog barking, children yelling outside) (Emily coughing) This is my medicine.

Is that right?

What is it that you want, Eliza?

I wonder, when I have so much.

The prince has put up our wages.

(coins jingling) So... there's a bit more than usual.

(Emily coughing) Aren't I the lucky one?

What a strong face you have, my little man.

You will be king one day, you know?

Albert.

(baby fussing) Ja.

Oh.

As your dear father said about you-- plump as a partridge.

Hmm.

The boy Jones!

It's in the "Morning Chronicle."

Right there.

He didn't go to the papers himself, did he, Mr. Penge?

PENGE: No, but someone else did.

And whoever it was is a traitor to queen and country.

The informant must be in the household.

But why would anyone be doing that?

♪ ♪ You see, now it has been advertised to the entire world that the palace is not safe.

Not safe?

He was just a little boy, Albert.

Our family is entitled to its privacy.

From Coburg, Your Royal Highness.

♪ ♪ (footsteps retreating) (door opens and closes) Albert.

Your father?

I have to make the necessary arrangements.

(dog whimpering) ♪ ♪ Drummond!

What brings you to this corner of the palace?

A dark day for the prince.

I wonder if the queen might accompany him to the funeral.

I think not.

The queen has been out of sorts since the birth.

I would have thought she'd be happy to have secured an heir.

Well, I suppose we shall never understand the fairer sex, will we?

As I'm sure you know, I leave for Coburg this afternoon.

In my absence, I am relying on you to find out who informed the "Morning Chronicle" about the palace intruder.

(laughs) But it could have been any of the palace staff.

There are hundreds of them.

How could I possibly find out who...

I am relying on you, baroness, to find the culprit.

Otherwise, all of the staff here will have to be replaced.

You included.

The royal household must be trustworthy.

Yes, sir, Your Royal Highness.

One of you has sold this private information to the public.

I will find out who has betrayed the queen's trust.

If you know anything about who did this, it is your obligation to tell me.

Immediately.

♪ ♪ Where have you been?

Nowhere in particular.

I've asked Lehzen to prepare my trunks for Coburg.

Oh, my love, I...

I think I should travel alone.

We've have never spent a night apart since we married.

I fear it is too soon after your confinement.

But I want to be with you.

Victoria, you have not quite been yourself since the baby arrived.

I do not want you to make such a melancholy journey.

Stay here with the children, recover your strength.

♪ ♪ (hooves clomping) I wish I could go with him.

LEHZEN: He will manage without you, Majesty.

I know he will.

(footsteps on stairs) Oh, I am sorry.

No, no, no, no.

My fault.

You are looking prosperous these days-- is that real gold?

Well, do I seem like the kind of man who'd wear pinchbeck?

(chuckles) No, I think you prefer the genuine article.

You are right there, Nancy.

(carriages rattling) (horse whinnying) ALBERT: I didn't know what to expect.

He looks so calm.

More than he ever did when he was alive.

I received a letter from him the, the day before.

Was he asking for money?

He was asking me to name the baby after him.

(laughs) But it was too late.

You chose the right name for your son, Albert.

I came as soon as I could.

We are orphans now, you and I.

Not quite orphans, my dear boys.

ALBERT: Uncle Leopold.

♪ ♪ (baby exclaiming) Vicky, why must you always be moving?

BUCCLEUCH: Children of her age have little understanding, ma'am.

(paper crumpling) I know.

Look, ma'am, little Prince Albert is smiling.

(baby gurgling) (door opening) VICTORIA: Lehzen.

Has the mail arrived from Coburg?

It usually takes a week, ma'am.

BUCCLEUCH: Never mind, ma'am.

As my late husband used to say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

(baby cooing) ALBERT (voiceover): My son is a fine fellow.

Victoria... Usually she wishes to be a part of everything, but now it is as if she does not care anymore.

ERNEST: You miss the fighting?

I miss her spirit.

ALBERT: Oh, that tree.

It just seems familiar.

ERNEST: I dared you to climb up it.

Did I?

Took some persuading.

Papa had forbidden it.

The last time I spoke with him, Ernst, I was not kind.

For that to be the last time... Did anyone tell you how he died?

A seizure.

It was more... interesting than that.

You see, he was in the arms of his dearest friend, Liesel.

You should be pleased, Albert.

He died doing what he loved.

♪ ♪ Just one more inch.

Saints preserve us, Her Majesty is wasting away.

Do you suppose it's all this business in the papers with the Boy Jones?

Would you?

Do you reckon Prince Albert will send whoever did it to Australia, too?

Mr. Penge was looking at me like I was the guilty party.

Some of the scullery maids were saying it must be Mr. Francatelli.

He is quite the dandy these days.

I'm sure you must be having your suspicions, Mrs. Skerrett.

Ow!

(sighs) DRUMMOND: Mr. Brunel's tunnel has taken over 20 years to build.

When opened, it will make crossing the Thames infinitely quicker.

PEEL: I, uh...

I expect you would like to attend an event of such national significance, ma'am.

VICTORIA: I...

I can't.

Perhaps you might take a look at this, ma'am.

What are all those people doing down there?

They are walking beneath the water, ma'am.

♪ ♪ Well.

VICTORIA: I shall keep it.

Nonetheless, I...

I cannot attend.

(eggs cracking) (whisking) (watch ticking) (splashes) KENT: So this is why you're always too busy to see me.

I'm surprised you're not in the nursery.

(splashes) When you were a child, I could never bear to be apart from you.

Babies are so easy to love.

(pebble splashes) (birds chirping) (footsteps retreating) CHOIR: ♪ O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden ♪ ♪ Voll Schmerz und voller Hohn ♪ ♪ O Haupt zum Spott gebunden ♪ ♪ Mit einer Dornenkrun ♪ ♪ O Haupt sonst schon gezieret ♪ ♪ Mit hochster Ehr' und Zier ♪ ♪ Jetzt aber hochst schimpfieret ♪ ♪ Gegrusset sei'st du mir.

♪ ♪ ♪ (people talking and yelling on street) (dog barking, bell ringing) I told you in confidence, Eliza!

No such thing, Nancy.

No such thing.

I care more about putting shoes on her feet than keeping your secrets.

If this is traced back to me, I'll lose my place.

Then you should have kept your mouth shut, Nancy.

♪ ♪ (birds chirping) (clock striking) LEOPOLD: Your mother was so young, so lovely... And so unhappy.

Hmm.

Well, she would have to be, to leave her children behind.

Well, my brother was not an easy man to live with.

And I... ...did my best to be a friend to her.

A friend?

What kind of friend?

I had just lost my beloved Charlotte.

And your father left her all alone here with your brother, and so... ...we comforted one another.

(stammers): Comforted?

Poor Louise needed love so badly.

And then after you were born, my destiny took me to Belgium.

And your mother, she went in a different direction.

Good night.

Good night, Uncle.

(sighs) (footsteps retreating) ♪ ♪ (baby cooing) ♪ ♪ (cooing continues) (door creaks) (baby squeals) (baby gurgling) ♪ ♪ (door creaks softly) ♪ ♪ (indistinct chatter) ALBERT: Um, cousin Ferdinand has grown out of all recognition.

ERNEST: Well, at least the pimples have abated, thank goodness.

Uncle Leopold is trying to marry him off to the Spanish queen.

Well, I am surprised he's not tried to marry you off yet.

Oh, you underestimate him.

Princess Alda of Oldenburg arrived this very afternoon.

Your Majesty.

Welcome to Rosenau.

I trust you had a pleasant journey.

Not really.

The roads in Coburg are most uncivilized.

(ticking) (spoon clinking) ♪ ♪ (chuckles uneasily) ♪ ♪ How do you find our Coburg wine, princess?

It is too strong for me.

Perhaps you would like to play cards after luncheon?

I do not gamble.

Would you like to go riding tomorrow?

I will be at church.

Ja.

♪ ♪ (door opens) The prime minister and Mr. Drummond, Your Majesty.

Sir Robert.

I was not expecting you.

Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty.

I'm afraid this is an urgent matter.

There has been an explosion at the tower, in the armory.

Five men have lost their lives.

Many others have been injured.

Five men.

What a tragedy.

It is a terrible loss, ma'am.

Many of the men had families.

I will send my condolences.

I think, ma'am, given the scale of the disaster, it would be better for you to attend the hospital in person.

In person?

I'm, I'm not sure that I... DRUMMOND: It would not take long, ma'am.

A visit from you would give the injured men some hope, and show the public how much their queen cares about her people.

Perhaps next week.

PEEL: Ma'am.

I strongly advise you to attend forthwith.

♪ ♪ May I make arrangements for this afternoon?

♪ ♪ How about this one?

No.

It's not quite right, is it?

Perhaps not for this occasion, ma'am.

Do you remember the hairstyle you asked for on your wedding day?

I was so frightened I'd get it wrong.

(chuckles) I was nervous, too.

(sighs) But then I saw Albert.

How did you manage?

I didn't want to let you down, ma'am.

Somehow that gave me courage.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (horses whinnying) ♪ ♪ (softly): I offer my sincere condolences.

♪ ♪ (coughing) Your Majesty.

(labored): I called... ...my daughter... ...after you.

Then she is lucky to have such a brave father.

May I escort you to your carriage, ma'am?

♪ ♪ That must have been distressing for you, ma'am, but I know your presence made all the difference to those poor souls.

♪ ♪ Mr. Francatelli.

I wanted to talk to you.

Flattered, baroness.

I have noticed that since you have returned to the palace, you've looked much smarter.

I'm glad you approve.

If that is all, I must return to my soufflés.

They wait for no one, not even the queen herself.

I was wondering how you afford these new items.

Perhaps I have a fairy godmother, baroness.

(laughter, indistinct conversations) ERNEST: Albert?

Can it really be you?

I, uh, had to get out of the palace.

And you haven't even tried talking to Princess Alda.

Ernst... Are you going to lecture me about the dangers of the demon drink?

This is my tribute to Papa.

One that he would have appreciated.

You are right.

Let's drink to Papa.

Ja.

(glasses clink) (fire crackling, clock striking) Before you retire, ma'am...

I would like to congratulate you on your conduct today.

You want to congratulate me on my conduct?

I thought the whole occasion a great success.

It was time you showed yourself in public.

Yes, yes, I suppose it was.

And in the circumstances, your display of emotion was entirely appropriate.

I was crying for them, of course, but I was also crying for myself.

I know.

You're not the only woman who has felt herself in low spirits after the birth of a child.

I experienced something similar after the birth of my daughter Mary.

And yet I only had an estate to oversee, not a country.

The birth... (sighs) The birth was very distressing.

Nothing has become easier since.

But it will.

I know how hard it was for you to go out today, but I also know that tomorrow it will be easier.

I hope you are right, duchess.

There can be no doubt about it, ma'am.

♪ ♪ Such a shame no one wanted to join us.

What are we going to talk about?

(footsteps approaching) Oh, I'm sorry.

I think I left my volume of Chopin in here.

Oh, Miss Coke.

Please, why don't you come and join us?

Any news from Coburg?

No.

I wonder how Prince Ernest is finding his life as the duke.

Hopefully better than his father.

I suppose he will have to find a bride.

(drunkenly): But life is...

It's all about balance.

Balance.

That's correct.

You can achieve anything if you have... (glasses clanking) ...perfect equilibrium.

(glasses shattering) (laughing) I believe that you are drunk, Albert.

I believe I am.

It's the most peculiar sensation.

Mm-hmm.

It feels as if I have elves around my person.

Elves or pixies?

One cannot be sure.

Oh, well, it is important to be accurate, Albert.

We must always tell the truth.

Yes, we must.

No deception.

I will tell you the truth.

I am not going to marry Princess Alda.

Because she is not a woman, she is a thistle.

Uncle Leopold would not marry a thistle.

And I will not, either.

I think I need another drink.

So do I. Danke.

Ernst.

Ja?

(pouring) Uncle Leopold told me... Nein.

This is not a moment for Uncle Leopold.

It's never a moment for Uncle Leopold.

(glasses clink) ♪ ♪ (birds chirping) (door opens) (door slams) ♪ ♪ (armor clanking) (mail rattling) (panting) Albert?

What on Earth is the matter?

What are you doing with this armor?

It's for my protection.

Albert, you are upset, I understand that.

But behaving like Ernst is not going to help.

At least Ernst knows who his father is.

(hissing) Albert, you must not speak like this.

You know, I...

I always felt something.

Thank you for making it so clear to me.

I am so proud of you, Albert.

And now that you are a father, you must understand my feeling.

Understand?

Do you know what you have made me?

A sham.

(scoffs) No?

My entire life a lie, Victoria married to a bastard, my children illegitimate!

Ruined.

And everything I've done for the, for the palace, for the monarchy, it all amounted to sheer hypocrisy because of your behavior!

Your behavior!

The British press, they already draw me as a sausage.

Can you imagine what would happen if they found out... No one must find out, not even Victoria.

This stays between us.

and, and besides, it, it cannot be proven.

Then why tell me?

I wanted to bring you comfort.

♪ ♪ Oh... BUCCLEUCH: Good morning, Your Majesty.

Good morning.

BUCCLEUCH: Wilhelmina.

The sultan of Muscat wanted to present you with a tiger cub, but I persuaded him that a puppy would be more appropriate.

(gasps) (chuckles) So much more appropriate.

(laughing) Hello.

But, ma'am!

The bed is no place for an animal.

Well, I know how much you care for tradition, duchess, so I will treat her just as I treated Dash.

But Dash, ma'am, was house-trained.

And this creature is not.

(piddling) (squealing) (giggling): Oh!

(laughing) ERNEST: Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?

(birds singing) ♪ ♪ Come to England soon.

Ja?

(carriages rattling) ♪ ♪ Albert has left.

Yes.

I thought he was going to stay longer, didn't you?

I wonder what made him decide to leave.

I wonder.

♪ ♪ Oh, Mrs. Skerrett, thank goodness I found you.

Whatever is the matter?

There's a terrible to-do in the kitchens.

They're saying that Mr. Francatelli's the one that sold the story about the intruder to the newspaper.

Francatelli?

But why would anyone accuse him?

The baroness was after noticing the ring and the pocket watch.

So she told Mr. Penge to search his room.

He found ten pounds in sovereigns.

Do you really think he got all that money from selling the story?

No, Miss Cleary, I don't.

(birds chirping, bells tolling) (horse neighing) PAGET: Ah, Drummond.

I didn't know you were a member.

I'm not.

I was meeting the marquess of Lothian.

Is he a friend of yours?

He's going to be my father-in-law.

You're engaged.

(evenly): May I offer my congratulations?

Excuse me.

SKERRETT: Well, my cousin, she's called Eliza Skerrett.

Not me.

It was her who was at the Chiswick Institute.

It was her who was meant to be at this palace.

But... she fell pregnant, so I took her place so I could support her and the baby.

And, um... Well, Eliza has always felt she was hard done by.

So when I told her about the boy Jones... ...she sold the story to the papers.

I don't know what possessed her to do it.

How old is the child?

Just four, ma'am.

This is unbelievable.

I am sorry for your cousin.

And for the child.

But Majesty!

But to deceive me like that when I thought I could... We must be surrounded by people we can trust.

Perhaps I could forgive you.

The prince, I fear, will not.

(inhales) (swallows hard) (playing sad tune on filled glasses) (playing continues) (holding single note) (tune resumes) (stops playing) So young, yet so sad.

I don't feel young.

(sighs) We can't always be with the ones we love.

I think I must go home.

Being here is too painful.

Everywhere I go... (voice breaking): ...reminds me of... You can't possibly leave.

The queen was saying only the other day what a credit you are to the household.

And what about your estimable great-aunt?

If you leave, she'll bully me instead, and I have a very nervous disposition.

I don't think anyone would miss me.

Now that, Miss Coke, is where you're wrong.

♪ ♪ (horse neighing carriage rumbling in distance) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ You look so tired.

I have been traveling for four days.

Oh, Eos!

(whistles, claps) (Eos barking) Good boy, good boy.

(whimpering) Who's... who's this?

Come on, come on!

(laughs) Isn't she adorable?

Her name is Islay.

Islay?

Oh, I'm so pleased you are back.

(Islay whimpers) All this time she's been an impostor.

Astonishing, really, she could stand the guilt.

I had to dismiss her.

But you always said that she was the best dresser you have ever had.

She is.

Was.

I thought you of all people would understand.

You always talk about the importance of truth.

(footsteps approaching) The carriage is ready, Your Majesty.

Albert, you must get ready.

I am sorry, Victoria-- I, I cannot attend.

But it's the opening of the tunnel.

The joining of one side of the Thames to the other.

I know.

It's a big day, Victoria.

Even so, I cannot attend.

What is it?

I just feel as though I am not ready for people to look at me.

I, I feel as if I have a skin missing.

♪ ♪ I thought that you did not need me.

Liebes, I have never needed you so much.

(carriage rattling, hooves slowing) (applause) (cheering and applause) ♪ ♪ Mr. Brunel is waiting for you, ma'am.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Oh!

Mrs. Skerrett?

Your Royal Highness.

I believe it is time you were given a room which reflects your new position.

But I have been dismissed, sir.

I think the queen would find it hard to manage without you.

Don't you?

I mean, yes, you pretended to be someone you were not, but you have served the queen to the best of your ability.

So...

I don't deserve this, Your Royal Highness.

Everyone deserves a second chance, Mrs. Skerrett.

Good day.

(chuckles) (laughing): Fetch it, Islay.

Come on!

(laughs) Oh, a new dog and a new child.

I wonder how you manage your time, Drina.

Very well.

I'd like to see my grandson.

(baby fussing) He has your eyes, Drina.

No, he doesn't.

Perhaps there is some similarity.

(baby cooing) ♪ ♪ VICTORIA: Oh.

(baby fussing) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ They are delicious, thank you.

They were leftovers.

What will you do with yourself next?

The prince has asked me to stay.

It seems you have nine lives, Mrs. Skerrett.

VICTORIA: ♪ Du bist die Ruh' ♪ ♪ Der Friede mild ♪ ♪ Die Sehnsucht du ♪ (piano accompaniment begins) ♪ Und was sie stillt ♪ ♪ Ich weihe dir ♪ ♪ Voll Lust und Schmerz ♪ ♪ Zur Wohnung hier... ♪ (piano stops) I am too slow for you.

I expect you'll want the children to learn soon.

The children.

How was, uh, Bertie while I was away?

Has he learned how to smile yet?

I wouldn't know.

What do you mean?

He never smiles for me.

Liebes, I do not understand.

No.

No, you don't understand what it's like to look at your child and... ...feel as though you have nothing to offer it.

That's how worthless I've felt.

Why did you not tell me?

I shouldn't feel like that.

Sometimes I feel... as though I'm just pretending to be a mother and be a queen, but really...

I'm an impostor.

(whispering): I'm just a little girl wearing a crown.

No.

No, I think you are honest.

(resumes song on piano) ♪ Wohnung hier ♪ ♪ Mein Aug' und Herz ♪ ♪ Mein Aug' und Herz.

♪ LINNEY: Next time on "Masterpiece."

VICTORIA: It's called "The Victoria and Albert," and we're going to see the world in it.

PEEL: A visit to France?

VICTORIA: I think I need to look Louis Philippe in the eye.

Is that conduct becoming for the husband of the queen of England?

You want your son to marry the Spanish queen, and yet my government, they will see that as a declaration of war.

LINNEY: "Victoria," next time on "Masterpiece."

♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Gloriana ♪ LINNEY: Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video, and more.

To order this program on Blu-ray or DVD, or the companion book, visit shopPBS.org or call us at 1-800-PLAY-PBS.

♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪