The Young Victoria

Guards! Royal salute! Present arms!

Some people are born

more fortunate than others.

Such was the case with me.

But as a child,

I was convinced of quite the opposite.

What little girl does not dream

of growing up as a princess?

But some palaces

are not at all what you'd think.

Even a palace... can be a prison.

Mama never explained why she

would have someone taste my food.

Why I couldn't attend school with

other children or read popular books.

When my father died,

Mama and her adviser,

Sir John Conroy, created rules.

He said they were for my protection,

and he called it the Kensington System.

I could not sleep in a room

without Mama

or even walk downstairs

without holding the hand of an adult.

I learned the reason for all this

when I was 1 1.

My uncle William

was the King of England.

Yet he and his three brothers

could boast only one living child.

And that was me.

Sir John's dream

was that the King would die

and there would be a Regency,

where my mother would rule England

and he would rule my mother.

So I began to dream of the day

when my life would change...

.. and I might be free.

And I prayed for the strength

to meet my destiny.

I will be good.

God save the Queen!

God save the Queen!

God save the Queen!

Sign it!

Are you sure

that we're doing the right thing?

We've waited long enough.

Now, for the last time,

you will sign this order.

I will not sign it.

I say you will!

- I say I will not.

- How dare you, you...!

Sir John.

We were just...

It's time for the Princess's medicine.

- Shall l?

- I'll do it.

Well, if you're sure.

- Good night, mein liebling.

- Good night, Mama.

How are you?

I've received a letter from England.

My sister says Victoria won't sign

the order for her Regency.

And why would she sign it?

The Princess is nearly 1 8. Why

would she sign away her own powers?

Because she is an ignorant baby.

Because she needs guidance and time

to prepare for her role as Queen.

Until then, my sister

will take her place as Regent.

Sir John Conroy would be Regent.

Unfortunately, the Duchess

is controlled by her controller.

It may be in Your Majesty's interests

to abandon Conroy and your sister,

before it's too late,

and support the future Queen instead.

Of course, the Duchess won't like it.

Baron, I was born the younger son

of a penniless duke.

Now I'm King of the Belgians.

Such journeys are not managed

without hard decisions.

Besides,

who controls a young girl most?

Now go to Germany

and finish my nephew's training.

Albert!

I suppose you want

to walk with me this afternoon.

Really? Just the two of us alone?

What would Mama say?

Hold still

or I'll never get your nose right.

Oh, I give up!

I give up. You are impossible.

You are impossible. You are impossible.

Victoria, your mother's waiting.

Come on!

Dash!

- Where is the Duchess?

- In the drawing room, Your Highness.

It will take them three days

to arrive by coach from Coburg. Dashy!

- How did you come downstairs?

- I walked.

- Not alone?

- No, not alone.

- Lehzen was with me.

- She held your hand?

She did. Though why she still has to...

Because not everyone in England

wishes you well.

Put the book down, please.

Dashy!

England is the key to peace in Europe.

Your uncle's throne is six years old

and born of civil war.

He only took the crown of Belgium

because England pledged her support.

And if he's to survive, he must have

English force at his disposal.

Favourite novels?

- Sie hat nicht viele Romane gelesen.

- English. Always English.

She has not read many novels.

Rate this script:(0.00 / 0 votes)