A Royal Affair Page #6

The people demand that Your Majesty

act. Sign it before it's too late.

I can't.

- Yes, you can, Your Majesty. Sign it.

Sign it before it's too late,

Your Majesty!

I can't!

- Sign it!

Johann Friedrich Struensee,

you are under arrest for conspiracy -

against the King

and the Danish people.

Let's see what the King has to say.

- His Majesty signed the arrest order.

Get him.

Open in the name of the King!

Where is Christian?

Step aside.

I command you to step aside,

I want to see Christian!

Caroline, it's over.

I hope it's worth it to you.

They'll kill Johann.

No one's getting killed.

He'll be banished to Altona.

You're so naive.

Are you here to gloat?

- Frederik stays here.

What?

- Take Louise, you're still nursing.

But the Crown Prince remains

with his father

No.

He can't.

He stays with me.

Don't touch him.

Wait

Aren't you listening?

Let him go!

Juliane?

Please, don't do this.

Frederik, don't be afraid.

Mummy will be back soon.

Mummy will be back soon.

We're here for your confession.

I have nothing to confess.

You seduced the Queen

and conspired against the Court -

plotting to kill the King

and lead Denmark astray.

I have nothing to confess.

I know you outlawed torture,

but we have a new cabinet now.

Your Majesty sent for me.

- Any news?

Johann has confessed to the affair.

They tortured him for days

until he finally gave in.

I advise you to confess, too.

This is a plea for Christian

to pardon Johann and Brandt.

Deliver it to him in person.

Doctor Struensee,

my name is Mnter.

I know your father well.

What do you want, priest?

The King wants to pardon you

and Brandt on the day of execution.

It seems you're saved.

But the Cabinet

wants something in return.

A written statement saying

you were mistaken in all your deeds.

And that you sincerely ask

for God's forgiveness.

A statement

the Cabinet will later publish.

I've thought a lot about God

these past few days.

That doesn't surprise me, son.

You're sure

the execution isn't today?

Yes, I'm absolutely sure.

It's been noisy outside all morning.

Where are they all headed?

I haven't heard anything,

Your Majesty.

I can't wait to see Struensee's face

when I pardon him.

Do you think he's mad at me?

No. Why would he be?

Indeed.

Who came up with the idea of the King

pardoning people at the last minute?

It'd be a lot less harrowing

if he got it over with sooner.

It is tradition. People must be present

to applaud their merciful king.

Yes.

What?

Nothing.

Ouch!

Where's the King?

I am one of you.

I am one of you!

I am one of you!

I am one of you!

You swore nothing would happen to

him. That he would only be banished.

My mistake.

- And my seat in the Council?

That's enough, Rantzau.

You've been amply rewarded.

Your Majesty, we're in safe hands

with the Crown Prince.

Go play with your negro.

I love you.

I love you so much.

We'll see each other again soon.

I promise.

Part of me was happy

to be deported to Germany.

Not far from where Johann

was raised and did his work.

And in my new house in Celle

I was met by an old friend.

I have lived here for 5 years now,

and in spite of all my pleading -

- the Court keeps a close eye on me

and refuses to let me leave Celle.

I write to you now,

as I've become very ill.

I will not survive this illness, but now

I've told you what really happened.

Bring it to them when they're

old enough to understand.

I will keep it safe.

Denmark 1783

As I am sure you know, Denmark

has regressed to the Middle Ages -

- since Johann died.

While Europe blossoms, your

country has become a dark place -

- controlled by

faith and suspicion.

My dear children,

if I could only see you now.

Who have you become?

Frederik, did you inherit

Christian's temper?

Louise,

do you have Johann's eyes?

Your Royal Highnesses,

I am so glad you came.

"My beloved children, you do not

know me, but I am your mother.

I do not know what you think of me.

Perhaps you hate me

Frederik. Louise Augusta.

You are Denmark's best hope

for a better future.

I know you will make me proud.

I love you so very much.

Your mother, Caroline Mathilde. ?

Father.

With his father's help

Frederik staged a coup d'tat -

and seized power at the age of 16.

Guldberg, Juliane Marie and their

Cabinet were banished from Court.

In the course of Frederik's

almost all of Struensee's laws

were reinstated.

Frederik went even further than Johann when he

abolished serfdom and liberated the peasants.

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