The Young Victoria Page #4

Never while I'm here, Your Majesty.

Lord Melbourne is akin to a miracle.

He has proved to be most generous

and sensitive,

quite wondrous in a politician,

someone I trust and hold dear.

- He is the best company imaginable.

Sometimes we laugh so much,

it's as if we were naughty children.

Oh, Albert, I so look forward to the day

when you can know and value him

as I do.

Yours affectionately, Victoria.

Plenty of praise for Lord Melbourne

and not much of anything else.

- Everything comes to he who waits.

- And if nothing comes, what then?

You've played with me, Baron.

And now it is enough.

I'm going back to England.

There must be a reason

if you wish to visit Her Majesty.

Then find me a reason.

Ich will diesen...

So, are you going to propose?

What? What am I supposed to think?

You're going to enjoy the weather?

I'm going to spend some time with her,

that's all.

Besides, I am forbidden.

It has to come from her, apparently.

So I could not propose,

even if I wanted to.

And do you want to?

Walk on! Hup, hup!

Please hold still. I'm afraid

I always find noses a challenge.

Am I permitted to talk?

Yes, but you can't move.

There's nothing to rival

an English garden.

Of all my life in Kensington,

it's the only part I'll miss.

But the gardens at Buckingham Palace,

surely...

- You're moving!

- Oh.

Now you're smiling.

lmpossible!

You're worst than him!

I believe we have a duty

to those in need of our protection.

It is the business of every sovereign

to champion the dispossessed,

for no one else will.

Take housing. May I show you?

Industry is expanding so fast

that people are not considering

where the workers will live.

But I've been experimenting.

By building these in units of two,

you can build safe, clean homes for

two families for less than the cost...

I'm sorry. I don't mean to preach.

No, there's no need to apologise

for being passionate.

It seems I have a lot to learn.

With all my duties and...

- And I do take them very seriously.

- I know you do.

But plenty of people

will expect me to fail.

And there are even more

trying to take advantage

of my youth and inexperience.

Then, they don't know you like I do.

May I keep this?

So, remember, the first thing

is to find an anchor point.

So, take your hand back

to beneath your chin.

Good. This is where

it will come every time.

Now, release the bow.

Your hand must cover the leather,

like this.

And make a firm claw.

One finger, two fingers.

- Claw.

- Yes, and back to beneath the chin.

Bend this arm slightly.

Rotate to catch the arrow.

Good.

Very good. Now, try with an arrow.

- Ah. He's still here?

- At my mother's insistence.

Certainly not mine.

Where am I to live?

Am I to be abandoned here?

Or am I to beg along the highways

for a crust?

Come now. You will move

into the palace with the Queen.

But she's arranged

a separate apartment for you.

It will allow you both more privacy.

I... I don't want privacy

from my own child!

To exclude us will launch

the new reign in a cloud of scandal.

I know your game, my lord.

You want to be her father, her mother,

and who knows what else.

If I'm not to be her private secretary,

then what?

I'm sorry. I can see

that I am not speaking clearly.

You have played the game and lost.

The Prime Minister is here,

Your Majesty.

Thank you, Duchess.

Have I thanked you properly

for accepting the post?

It will involve

a good deal of inconvenience.

To be Mistress of the Robes

is a great honour.

I'm only anxious to prove worthy of it.

My Lord Melbourne

thinks you'll be perfect.

How is Albert's visit going?

He writes Victoria is under

Melbourne's control. He's frustrated.

Then he must stay in England

until the Queen thinks more of him

than she does of Melbourne.

Queen Elizabeth never married.

It didn't spoil things for her.

Are you familiar with the Coronation

Chair and the ancient Stone of Scone?

Familiar, yes,... but quite in awe.

I'm terribly afraid of disappointing

on a day I so want to do it perfectly.

Just be yourself. Your instincts

are always to your credit.

I'm sorry. They're preparing

the Abbey for the ceremony.

I'm told they asked permission

for a glimpse of Your Majesty.

- Don't be sorry.

- God bless, Your Majesty.

I do want to help them,

whatever you say.

And not just the labouring poor,

but the hungry and the homeless.

There are people who are lost. Whose

business is it to see to their welfare?

Well, in my experience, it's best

to let these things develop naturally.

If you interfere,

you risk overturning the cart.

Prince Albert doesn't agree. He's made

a study of the working man's condition.

He's full to the brim

with ideas for their improvement.

Is he indeed? How inspiring.

Well, good. He sounds like a young man

ready to take charge

at the first opportunity.

Then, you had better master

the rules of the game

until you play it better than they can.

Are you quite sure about that, ma'am?

Make your move.

Well?

You may not accompany me

to the Proclamation Ceremony.

You may not attend the Coronation.

Perfect.

-You're unprepared.

-No experience! Too young!

Then, they don't know you like I do.

Don't look so surprised.

The Queen has many different duties.

It's heartening to see she won't

neglect them, even on Coronation Day.

- I don't think Dash would allow it.

- Try to get some rest before the ball.

I will. Since I firmly intend

to dance until dawn.

Her Majesty the Queen.

Are you sure this is wise?

It's been quite a day. Are you tired?

Oh, no.

Ah, well, not really. It's just...

Well, I'm stronger than I look.

- How much longer are you in London?

- Only until Friday.

Then home via Brussels.

Uncle Leopold must have his report.

Oh, dear. I have a quadrille

with the Prince of Prussia next.

My poor little toes.

I feel sorry for them already.

Your Majesty.

I've had a letter from King Leopold.

He proposes

extending this visit of Prince Albert.

- And what have you answered?

- Nothing yet.

Well, perhaps you should tell your uncle

you need to focus

on your new duties right now.

Thank you for being my messenger.

I hope I've given my uncle enough

detail. Fill in anything I've missed.

- He takes a great interest in you.

- Yes, don't I know it.

You should see the questions

he asks by every letter.

- Like a never-ending examination.

Lord Melbourne calls him this...

What about Lord Melbourne?

Nothing.

- The French Ambassador is here.

- Right. Erm...

I wish you a good journey.

Victoria?

I would so like to be useful to you.

If there is ever an opportunity.

I know you would.

But not yet.

Have you read this?

No, sir.

It seems

she does not think it appropriate

to discuss politics in our otherwise

"delightful correspondence".

- Which was dictated by Melbourne.

- Damn it!

Do something!

I can't get past Melbourne.

Then get him past Melbourne!

Get him into her bed!

My dear Victoria,

Uncle Leopold is full of ideas

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