This is Masterpiece.

LEOPOLD: Marry and start a family your subjects can be proud of.

Previously on Victoria.

MELBOURNE: When you give your heart, it will be without hesitation.

But you cannot give it to me.

I do not see the urgency for her to marry.

It is more important, I think, that she chooses wisely.

LEOPOLD: You should know that I have sent for my nephew Albert.

VICTORIA: I don't want a stupid boy like Albert or anyone else.

Victoria.

Albert.

Victoria, tonight, on Mast ♪ Gloriana ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Gloriana ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Gloriana, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah.

♪ (whimpering) (piano music in distance) (Victoria continues playing) (steps pattering) (she stops playing) Victoria.

Albert.

(Dash approaches) (growls softly, then barks) VICTORIA: Dash, now stop that!

You're being rude.

You mustn't bark at Cousin Albert, even if he does look quite different to the last time we saw him.

I'm sorry if your dog does not recognize me.

I, on the other hand, had no difficulty in recognizing you.

Although now, I believe you're playing the piano with fewer mistakes.

How magnificent you look, Cousin Victoria.

(clicks his heels) Monarchy clearly agrees with you.

DUCHESS OF KENT: Ernest.

Albert.

Oh, Drina, are your cousins not handsome?

Such fine Coburg specimens.

Please, Mama, they're not racehorses.

ERNEST: We were hoping tomorrow, it might be possible to see some of your paintings here.

Albert has just returned from Italy and speaks of nothing but the old masters.

I believe in your collection, there are some works by Leonardo da Vinci.

Perhaps there are.

I really don't know.

As to tomorrow, Lord Melbourne and I have a great deal of business to attend to, don't we, Lord M?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

The dispatches from Afghanistan will require your complete attention.

(speaking German): This is a fool's errand.

Stop fretting, Albert.

What does it matter if Victoria isn't a connoisseur of Renaissance painting?

Just think how much fun you will have telling her all about it on the honeymoon.

But for now, please try to be a little more gallant.

When you take her hand to kiss it, you must look deep into her eyes as if you are going to drown in them, like this.

You know I'll never be able to match your skill in this area, Ernest.

Perhaps you should marry her instead of me.

Well, she is exactly my type, small and with... Every woman is your type, Ernest.

But you will have to find someone else.

It is Albert's destiny to marry Victoria.

I'm not sure Victoria agrees.

And she's the one who has to propose.

And she will.

But she likes men who are attentive, like her Lord Melbourne.

If my manners are not suitable, then perhaps I should return to Coburg.

If you go home now, people will say she has rejected you.

But if you stay, you could be king of England.

No, uncle.

(quietly): I would be the queen of England's husband.

VICTORIA: Did you see the way he looked at me?

As if I were a child who hadn't done her lessons?

He is a younger son from nowhere, and you are a queen.

Do you think the prince handsome?

It's not for me to say.

But I am asking you.

Then yes, the prince is very handsome.

(scoffs) But he never smiles.

I wonder if he can.

(sighs) (shouting, chatter) Good morning!

I would like to introduce Herr Lohlein, who is valet to Prince Ernest and Prince Albert.

(speaking German) PENGE: We speak English in this part of the palace, Mr. Lohlein.

How small they are.

One of these, ma'am, is sufficient to carry a letter... Is sufficient to carry a letter to Brighton or to the Isle of Bute.

To Windsor or to Wolverhampton, to Coventry or to Carlisle.

It doesn't seem right somehow.

After all, Wolverhampton is a lot further away than Windsor.

Or should a girl in Glasgow writing to her sweetheart in London pay more than the one who lives in Guildford.

And my likeness will be on every letter?

Yes, ma'am.

This is the royal mail, after all.

But how will the little pictures stay affixed?

The stamps, ma'am, have a layer of gum arabic on the back.

So everybody who wants to send a letter will have to lick my face.

Precisely, ma'am.

Though those of a more genteel nature may use a little brush.

(laughter) (laughs) Do you think Cousin Albert disapproves of us, Dash?

Forgive me.

I thought you were addressing your dog.

I think this gentleman has produced a remarkable invention, so I find nothing to laugh at, only to admire.

(frustrated sigh) I am so vexed I could scream!

I wouldn't worry.

The latest reports say our forces have defeated Dost Mohammed.

We'll be in Kabul in a matter of weeks.

I was talking about my cousin.

Oh.

Which cousin would that be?

Albert, of course.

He's such a... prig!

You do not see him as a possible husband then, I take it.

I would rather marry Robert Peel.

I wonder what Lady Peel would say to that.

(chuckles) Aren't you going to bring me inside?

You know that's not a good idea.

Mrs. Collins put my rent up last week.

I can't manage anymore on what you give me.

I told you I don't get paid till Michaelmas.

I'm sure you'll think of something.

Resourceful girl like you.

I'm sure a palace is full of trifles no one would miss.

I'm no thief.

And you're no Eliza Skerrett neither.

Shh!

(tower bells chiming) (din of the crowd) It's remarkable.

A way of reproducing nature quite faithfully.

Look at that wart.

I'm not sure I would like to be reproduced quite that faithfully.

Do you not want to see yourself as you appear to others?

Nein.

WOMAN: Go away!

Go away!

Buy a match, sir?

Buy a match, sir?

Lohlein.

Buy a match, sir?

(coin clatters) Thank you, sir.

(silverware clanging) (Dash barks) (Dash whimpering) VICTORIA: I hope you enjoyed your day.

Lord M and I have been so busy with the army lists.

ERNEST: Albert and I visited the National Gallery.

We are quite the tourists.

I have not yet finished.

The queen has, Your Highness.

VICTORIA: Oh, did you see my portrait?

The one by Hayter?

I think it is my favorite.

No.

We went to look at the old masters.

There's a very fine Rubens.

(Dash whimpering) I don't care for Rubens at all.

All that wobbling flesh.

ALBERT: Lord Melbourne.

Oh!

I should very much like to visit your parliament.

We have nothing like this at home.

You'd be most welcome, sir.

I would suggest you might want to go incognito.

Why's that?

Well, there are some MPs, Tories mainly, who might not like to feel they were being inspected by a German prince.

I see.

What about you, Lord Melbourne?

What do I think?

I think we should join the ladies.

(door opens) Lord M, you must come and play with me.

I feel sure you will bring me luck.

A pleasure, ma'am.

Perhaps we could bring up another table so the princes can play too.

Oh, no, no, please, there's no need.

I do not care to play card games.

But I do.

May I join the game?

(Duchess of Kent speaking German) Yes.

(playing piano) (music continues) ERNEST: Cousin Victoria, will you do me the very great honor of playing for me?

The piano is in use.

But I feel that tonight cannot be complete without a Schubert duet.

HARRIET: And the queen and her cousin both play so well.

(music stops) My apologies.

I did not know you wanted to play.

Ernest has requested a duet.

Schubert.

I believe there is some music here.

ALBERT: Oh yes, I know this.

Which part do you prefer?

I believe the primo part is more difficult.

I have never had a problem with it.

No?

But it has so many chords, and you have such... small hands.

Ready?

One, two, three.

(begins playing) (music stops) Am I going too fast for you, Albert?

I believe you're going too fast for Schubert, but if that is the pace you wish to play it at... (music resumes) (music stops) (applause) You play very well, cousin.

But I believe you do not practice enough.

It's necessary to play for at least one hour each day.

A queen does not have time for scales every day.

Only for card games.

(sighs) (playing piano exercise) (music stops) So, Victoria.

Uncle Leopold.

Normally it is the man who must declare his love, but in your case, you will have to overcome your maidenly modesty and propose to Albert.

Or not.

No?

But the duet yesterday was so charming.

I'm sorry, Uncle, but Albert and I are not suited.

He has no manners.

Yesterday, he was playing my keyboard as if he owned it.

(speaking German) English.

Please.

Only English.

Last night, we went to a very interesting establishment called a nunnery.

But I saw no nuns there.

I wish you would be more prudent, Ernest.

It's hard enough with Papa.

But the girls here are too delicious.

So the sooner that you marry Victoria, the faster I can go back to Coburg, where there are no more distractions.

Victoria is impossible.

She seems to spend more time with her lapdog than her own mother.

What does that matter?

I saw you at the piano.

It seemed to me that you played together rather well.

And did you have to touch her quite so often?

It was a complicated piece.

Mm.

Yeah.

ERNEST: Cousin Victoria.

Good morning.

You look radiant in the sunshine.

Duchess, may I talk to you a moment about my theory... Do you like gardens, Albert?

I prefer forests.

But this is the largest private garden in London.

To be among the trees when the wind is blowing is to feel the sublime.

Well, if you like trees so much, you should go to Windsor.

There are plenty of trees there.

But I can only go there if you invite me, cousin.

Aunt, I had no idea you had such talent.

May I suggest some shading here to balance the composition?

DUCHESS OF KENT: Thank you, Albert.

(footsteps) Oh, the price of whalebone these days is shocking.

Shocking!

Did you really like Mama's sketch?

As a matter of fact, I did.

But I think I would have admired it anyway.

I didn't take you for a flatterer.

Well, I try not to say things I do not mean, but I also try to be kind where possible.

And you think Mama needs kindness?

Don't you?

I have seen the way she looks at you, Victoria.

She loves you very much.

You don't know anything about it.

No.

No, no, that's... that's true.

But I do know what it is like not to have a mother.

What are you doing up here, Herr Lohlein?

(speaking German) And you thought the ladies might be able to help?

Come on.

PENGE: Red topped boots indeed!

Why can't they use black or brown like everyone else?

That's not Herr Lohlein's fault, is it, Mr. Penge?

Baroness!

May I remind you that you're here to serve Her Majesty, not to attend to the whims of her visitors.

There is to be dancing after dinner tonight, so the queen will want the white muslin and flowers for her hair.

Very good, Baroness.

(speaking German) Do you mean that the Russians are paying the Afghans to fight against our troops?

They want control of the Khyber Pass, ma'am.

It's the gateway to India.

Well, I shall write to the Grand Duke and tell him I think it's wicked.

Perhaps we should leave that in reserve, ma'am, in case the military strategy fails.

Now, if you'll excuse me, ma'am, I really should be getting back to the house.

I will expect you for dinner tonight.

There will be dancing afterwards.

Nothing elaborate.

Just a few couples.

I thought you weren't having any more balls.

Oh no, it isn't a ball.

It's just a very small dance.

I must do something to entertain the princes.

I seem to remember you telling me that Prince Albert does not care for dancing.

Oh, I wouldn't want to dance with him anyway.

It'd be like waltzing with a poker.

SKERRETT: I thought you might prefer the blue silk.

Blue silk, definitely.

The baroness always likes to dress me like a little girl.

Might I suggest we add some of the diamond pins?

It will look more elegant.

More elegant?

Yes, indeed.

BRODIE: With Lord Melbourne's compliments, ma'am.

(high-spirited music playing) VICTORIA: How do you like our English dances, Ernest?

I like your Gay Gordons very much.

But nothing compares to a waltz.

Should they play a waltz, you must dance with my brother Albert.

He would benefit greatly from a lesson from someone as graceful as you.

The queen seems to enjoy dancing with Prince Ernest, whom I find most charming.

One might even forget he was German.

Yes.

EMMA: Unlike his brother.

So stiff and awkward.

A clockwork prince.

EMMA: Look how he's gazing at her.

MELBOURNE: Yes, but what's he looking at?

A woman?

Or the most eligible match in Europe?

(music ends) ERNEST: Your Majesty.

Vielen dank.

Lord Alfred.

I think perhaps it is time for something a little bit more... Intime?

A waltz, perhaps?

Exactly, sir.

Leave it with me.

Albert.

They are going to play a waltz.

I think she would rather dance with Lord Melbourne.

ERNEST: Nonsense.

VICTORIA: Oh!

Dear Lord M!

Thank you for the flowers.

They're as beautiful as ever.

The glasshouses of Brocket Hall are at your service, ma'am.

(waltz playing) Perhaps I could have the pleasure of... ...of seeing you wear them.

May I have the pleasure?

(waltz continues) You dance beautifully.

I think before that I was afraid.

Afraid?

Of appearing ridiculous.

It's hard sometimes to find the rhythm.

Not with you.

Forgive me.

Your corsage... My mother always used to come and kiss me goodnight before she went to parties.

She would always wear those flowers in her hair.

Then you must have this.

To remind you of your mother.

But I have no place...

I will hold them here.

Next to my heart.

(waltz ends) (applause) (door opens) LEHZEN: Good morning, Majesty.

I trust you slept well.

Very well.

I have decided to go to Windsor.

Windsor?

But you don't like Windsor.

Of course I like Windsor.

When do you want to go?

Immediately.

Please make all the arrangements.

Is everyone to come, Majesty?

Even the princes?

Now, Lehzen, are you suggesting that we leave them behind?

(laughing) (Victoria humming) Blech.

There won't be time to be making special meals for Prince Albert.

The queen has decided to go to Windsor.

Immediately.

Windsor on a Wednesday?

Whatever next?

PENGE: Well, you heard what the baroness said.

(German accent): What is Windsor?

(imitating): Oh, vot is Windsor?

Lord M!

I've brought the latest dispatch from MacNaghten in Kabul.

But you see, I have decided to go to Windsor.

On a Wednesday?

Yes.

You know how fond I am of trees.

Trees?

Yes.

We will expect you for dinner.

Now, that might be difficult, ma'am.

I must go to the House.

You'll have much to distract you.

I'm sure Prince Albert would like to see the Windsor collection.

But I won't be comfortable unless you are there, Lord M. Oh, ma'am.

I think perhaps you'll be surprised at how comfortable you are.

If we were dining here, you would come, wouldn't you?

I don't see why Windsor should be any different.

I'm not doing it, Eliza.

I can't.

If I get caught, we're both sunk.

And besides, it ain't right.

Since when did you know the difference between right and wrong?

Look.

This should fetch a shilling at least.

It's the best I can do.

I expect we won't get there before dark.

Stop grumbling, Lehzen.

Think of the forests.

LEOPOLD: I wonder why Victoria has developed this sudden enthusiasm for Windsor.

(knocking) For Your Serene Highnesses, with the queen's compliments.

Fancy dress?

The Windsor uniform, Your Highness, was designed by George III for members of the English court.

I wonder if King George designed it before or after he went mad?

Why don't you try yours on?

Well, at least it fits.

That suits you rather well.

Yeah.

It is most well.

Sehr gut.

(chuckles) Your Majesty.

There are so many fine pictures here that I realize I know so little about.

I was hoping you could help.

In case I should be asked about them.

Of course, ma'am.

May I suggest we start with the Raphael?

You see, perhaps my knowledge of Raphael is not quite what it should be.

EMMA: I don't think the queen has ever even noticed the pictures here before.

(chuckling) (gasps) (clock chiming softly) I did not know you were at the castle, Lord Melbourne.

I should be at the House, but the queen was most insistent.

And you do not care to refuse her.

She is the queen, sir.

Which means you must welcome her marriage.

It will make your duties less... onerous.

PENGE: Their Serene Highnesses, Prince Ernest and Prince Albert.

And in the Windsor uniform.

How pleasing.

As I was saying, Lord Melbourne, your life will soon be so much easier.

Oh, dear Lord M. I am so glad you were able to come.

MELBOURNE: Well I should be waiting for dispatches from Kabul, ma'am.

But I decided I'd rather observe the skirmishes at Windsor.

(giggling) If you'd excuse me.

Ernest, Albert, how well you look in the uniform.

Your grandfather certainly spared no expense.

And you, Albert?

I find the gold braid rather heavy.

Perhaps you'd care to look at the paintings.

Agatha Bas by Rembrandt, who's generally considered to be one of the finest of the Dutch masters.

The brushwork is exquisite.

Look at the lace.

It's not very flattering, though.

(chuckles) Perhaps.

What would you prefer?

Flattery?

Or truth?

VICTORIA: Tell me, Lord M, have you read Oliver Twist by Mr. Dickens?

I have no great desire to consort with grave robbers and pickpockets and the like.

Why would I want to read about them?

You know, Lord Melbourne, I believe this Dickens that you speak of writes most accurately about the conditions of the poor.

Do you not wish to know the truth about the country which you govern?

As I've been in government for ten years, Your Serene Highness, I believe I am tolerably well informed.

ERNEST: Sometimes I find it hard to believe that we are brothers.

Albert is always up before dawn.

You do seem to be very different.

You are so easy, and he is... (laughs) Well, he is not.

Albert is worth ten of me.

(horse galloping) Good morning, Albert.

I do hope you find the park here more to your taste.

There is a word we have in German.

Waldeinsamkeit.

A feeling of being at one with the forest.

I have it here.

Waldeinsamkeit.

Oh, I had completely forgotten I had arranged to meet Uncle Leopold.

Lord Alfred, would you be kind enough to show me back to the house?

ALFRED: With pleasure.

ERNEST: Shall we make it interesting?

Ten guineas to the first man there.

You're on!

There is an oak in there that's been here since the Norman Conquest.

Would you like to see it?

Very much.

Allow me.

Please.

(barking) (laughing) Albert!

No, no.

Don't put it on, please.

I like to see you unbound.

You're not so much a queen.

I think that might be treason.

(laughs) Oh, you're teasing me.

(laughing) Uh-huh.

Ernest is always telling me I am too serious.

And you always tell me I'm not serious enough.

For a queen, perhaps.

But now without your hat, I think you're just right.

(footsteps approaching) Lord Alfred.

Did you return with the queen?

No, I came back with Prince Ernest.

We were, uh... ...superfluous.

Ah.

VICTORIA: Albert, what happened to your mother?

I only know that she died when you were very young.

She ran away from my father just before my fifth birthday, with her equerry.

She died a few years later.

I never saw her again.

(faint whimpering) It sounds like Dash.

I'll find him.

Dash!

(whimpering) ALBERT: Dash?

VICTORIA: Dash!

Dash, no, no, no.

Is he hurt?

I think the leg is broken.

(whimpering) Sh, sh, sh...

Hold him.

Hold him still.

Good boy.

Ah, ah, ah...

I know my attachment may seem foolish, but... (sniffling) ...when I was living at Kensington, Dash was my only real friend.

And now it is different?

Yes.

I have Lord Melbourne now, and my ladies, of course.

I wish you had not been so much with Lord Melbourne.

He is not serious.

He does not choose to appear serious.

It is the English manner.

But Albert, he is a man of great feeling.

Perhaps you should marry him.

Albert!

Do you know, the day when I was in the city, do you know what I saw?

I saw a child, maybe four or five years old, selling matches one at a time.

Your Lord Melbourne chooses not to look at such things, but I must.

We cannot close our eyes to the world around us.

If you wish to surround yourself with sycophants, please go ahead.

I, on the other hand, would rather see things for what they are.

How dare you?

May I remind you that while you were looking at paintings in Italy, I was ruling this country.

And yet you have been here for a few days and you assume you know my people better than I do.

I do not need you to tell me what to think, Albert.

No.

That's Lord Melbourne's job.

(Dash whimpering) LEOPOLD: I find it hard to believe that she has said nothing to you.

Why, you were with her for hours.

Ernest would have taken her to bed by now.

Enough!

The prince's valet has been asking about sailings from Dover.

Did you know they were leaving already?

No.

It is for the best, Majesty.

I think that Prince Albert does not show you enough respect.

You know nothing about it.

ERNEST: You are being childish.

You cannot just leave because you had a squabble.

Victoria and I are not suited.

This marriage is convenient to everyone except us.

Yes, but you like her, Albert, I know that you do, and she likes you too.

Victoria likes many people, I think.

Lord Melbourne, for example.

Oh, he's old enough to be her father.

Where are you going now?

Take a look at their parliament.

That is one British institution I can admire.

SKERRETT: Do you want it done any particular way, ma'am?

You look different today.

Ah, I know.

You don't have a collar.

I lost it, ma'am.

Please, take one of mine.

No, take several.

I couldn't possibly... We must both look our best today.

Don't you think?

(baby crying, children squealing playfully) Nanny!

Nancy.

(laughs) I am glad to see you, Nancy.

I'm sorry about before.

I know.

But sometimes, I think of you in the palace, doing the queen's hair the way I taught you, and I think, "That should have been my life."

Eliza Skerrett, the queen's dresser.

Instead, I'm nobody.

You could have given her up, found another job, but you didn't.

No.

I wanted to keep her safe.

What we did, we did for her.

Mama!

(laughs) Bought you something.

Oh, you didn't!

No.

The queen gave them to me.

Look at this lace.

(laughing) It's exquisite.

The queen must like you.

Like me?

I don't know about that.

But sometimes she notices me when I'm doing her hair and she sees we're just two girls doing our best.

Doing our best.

Mama!

(laughs) Is something the matter, ma'am?

Albert thinks I am too friendly with you.

And what do you think?

I don't know.

Albert always looks at me as if I have done something wrong.

I would like him to smile at me.

Well, he does not smile very often.

(laughing): I know.

That's why I want him to smile at me.

Well, if that's your intention, ma'am, I don't see how he could resist.

Do you really believe so?

(to himself): Only a fool would turn you away, ma'am.

DUCHESS OF KENT: Albert and Ernest are leaving.

With no engagement.

He's not a British subject.

I could not stop him even if I wanted to.

Of course you can stop him-- all you have to do is propose.

Oh, is that all?

I'm afraid, Uncle, it is not so easy.

But why not?

Because I am not sure he will say yes.

But at least you will know that if he says yes, it will be with his heart.

But you will never know unless you ask him, Victoria.

LORD MELBOURNE: Your Serene Highnesses, allow me to welcome you to the House.

I've always wanted to see the place where tyranny was banished.

I do wish the queen shared your feelings.

I fear she finds the unruliness distasteful.

I thought she followed you in everything.

(laughing): Oh!

Well, once, perhaps.

Now she's settled in to being queen, I find she ignores me more and more.

I am fond of my cousin, but she can be headstrong.

The fact is, my ministry will not last forever, and then I will return, thankfully, to Brocket Hall.

That will be hard for the queen, I think.

Perhaps.

But, in truth, I do think the time has come for me to retire.

So, the princes are heading back to Coburg.

Shame.

Looks like I won't win the wager after all.

Don't be so sure, I think things will change.

The queen will be happier when she's married.

Isn't every woman, Miss Skerrett?

Not this one.

Give up 25 guineas a year and my laundry all found for a man and a houseful of children?

Not likely.

The queen needs a husband.

I most certainly do not.

So clever of you to find gardenias.

It wasn't easy, ma'am.

Lord Melbourne grows them at Brocket Hall, but...

I could not ask him.

There.

Are you happy with your choice, ma'am?

I was told you wanted to see me.

I want to ask you something.

But before I do, I must be sure that you will not mind me asking.

You're wearing those flowers again.

(whispering): Should I ask my question now?

Well, I wish you would.

(laughs) Albert... Would you do me the honor of... No, it sounds wrong.

Albert... Will you marry me?

That depends.

On what?

On if you'll let me kiss you first.

If I do, will you say yes?

I have to kiss you.

(laughing) For me, this is not a marriage of convenience.

No.

I think it will be a marriage of inconvenience.

(both laughing) But I have no choice.

Neither do I.

Next time on Masterpiece.

We must get married as soon as possible.

LEOPOLD: This is the moment to settle your title and allowance.

VICTORIA: Why does the allowance mean so much to you?

Is it so that you can keep a mistress?

I'm sorry to say this may not be a popular match.

PEEL: We cannot have Germans running the country!

Victoria, next time, on Masterpiece.

♪ Gloriana!

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