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Synopsis:
1837. VICTORIA (17) (Emily Blunt) is the object of a royal
power struggle. Her uncle, KING WILLIAM (Jim Broadbent), is
dying and Victoria is in line for the throne. Everyone is
vying to win her favor. However Victoria is kept from the
court by her overbearing mother, THE DUCHESS OF KENT (Miranda
Richardson), and her ambitious advisor, CONROY (Mark Strong).
Victoria hates them both. Her only friend is her doting
governess, LEHZEN (Jeanette Hain), but she is smothering and
over-protective.
Victoria’s handsome cousin, ALBERT (Rupert Friend) is invited
to visit by her mother. He's also the nephew of her Uncle,
KING LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM (Thomas Kretschmann). It's obvious
that Albert has been coached to win her hand. At first she's
annoyed as she has no intention of being married. She never
wants to be controlled again. However Albert is also tired of
being manipulated by his relatives. Victoria and Albert talk
openly and sincerely and become friends. When he returns home
she grants him permission to write to her. King Leopold is
delighted and pushes Albert to woo her. Albert refuses because
he knows she’s not ready and he won’t return to London until
she invites him. Leopold reluctantly waits.
Meanwhile King William dies and Victoria is crowned Queen of
England. Victoria’s first decree is to banish her mother and
Conroy to a remote palace apartment. She embraces LORD
MELBOURNE (Paul Bettany), the charming Prime Minister, as her
sole advisor. They become inseparable and although his motives
are slightly self serving, he truly cares for her and wants
her to succeed. Prince Albert returns to London to witness the
coronation and the friendship between Victoria and Albert
deepens. They spend happy hours together but it is obvious
Victoria is under Melbourne’s spell and he eventually returns
to Germany.
The public loves their new Queen. She's cheered as she rides
through the streets but this honeymoon with the public comes
to a sudden end. Melbourne’s party is defeated in the
elections and his rival, PEEL (Michael Maloney), demands that
Victoria replace her ladies in waiting, who are all supporters
of Lord Melbourne, with the wives of his own allies. Victoria
refuses. Peel resigns and the backlash is furious. The
newspapers declare that Victoria is opposing the public's
will. They are outraged.
It is only now that Victoria understands how much she needs
Albert’s support. Against Melbourne’s wishes, she summons the
young Prince back to England. This time Albert is determined
not to be kept waiting in the wings any longer. Seeing his new
resolution and struck by how handsome and sincere he is,
Victoria invites him to marry her. The spectacle of the royal
wedding wins over the public. The handsome young Prince and
Queen are cheered and all seems well in the Royal household.
However tensions between Albert and Victoria start to emerge.
She wants an obedient friend and lover, not a controlling
husband. But he, reasonably enough, wants to be her partner
and equal, to be involved in her political decisions. Victoria
is furious. She is the Queen and she will manage her own
business! Albert is hurt and has little to do in his new role
as Consort. Eventually, with the Dowager QUEEN ADELAIDE’S
(Harriet Walter) encouragement, she allows him to re-organize
the palace staff. He does a great job - the household is more
efficient than it's been in centuries.
Victoria becomes pregnant. Life should be perfect. But they
argue when she sees Albert talking with politicians at a
party. She’s incensed that he is taking the lead without her
permission. They are later riding through the streets when a
crazed man tries to shoot Victoria. Albert throws her to the
carriage floor and is wounded trying to protect her. Shocked
by the danger and amazed by the strength of his love, Victoria
realizes what a selfish woman she's become. She begs Albert's
forgiveness as he insists that all he's ever wanted was what
was best for her. Trusting him completely, she's now ready to
accept his help. Together they banish Lehzen who could not
accept Albert’s place in the family, and her mother's
treacherous advisor, Conroy, who was still wielding influence.
In a symbolic move, Victoria moves Albert’s desk next to hers
and for the rest of his life they rule together.
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