THE YOUNG VICTORIA PRODUCTION NOTES - Thecia

SHORT SYNOPSIS
The Young Victoria chronicles Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne, focusing on the
early turbulent years of her reign and her legendary romance and marriage to Prince
Albert.
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), who is seemingly as untrustworthy as the rest.
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 the Queen of England. Albert visits
London to witness the coronation and the friendship between Victoria and Albert deepens.
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.
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 with the wives of his allies. Victoria refuses. The backlash is furious. The
newspapers declare that Victoria is opposing the public's will. They are outraged.
King Leopold is convinced that now, while Victoria is humbled, is the time for Albert to
strike. Albert reluctantly arrives at the Palace for a visit. They spend happy hours together
and Victoria is struck by how handsome and sincere he is but she is not ready for
marriage. It only takes a few months after his departure for Victoria to realize Albert is the
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