1Doll No. 123
On the death of William IV his teen-aged niece Alexandrina Victoria is the monarch of Britain. Dominated by her ambitious German mother the Duchess of Kent and her bullying advisor Conroy the girl determines to break free of their influence, declining their chosen regnal names to style herself Queen Victoria and moving into Buckingham Palace. Given her youth she has many detractors, including jealous uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, keen for her to fail, but, guided by widowed prime minister Lord Melbourne, she does well at her first privy council meeting and at her coronation though there are some who - perhaps with some credence - deem her besotted by Melbourne. It is Melbourne however who gives her reassurance and strength after an attempt to get at Conroy through his ailing mistress, Lady Flora Hastings, almost backfires on her. Below stairs gruff dresser Mrs Jenkins is unhappy to be given an assistant Miss Skerrett but when the royal housekeeper Baroness Lehzen uncovers a plot by ...
2Ladies in Waiting
Victoria's reliance on Melbourne does not go unnoticed amongst the likes of Wellington and Peel and she feels isolated when, defeated over a bill to end slavery in Jamaica, Melbourne resigns. Thus she asks the Tory, former war hero Wellington to become premier but he declines, putting forward the Whig Peel instead and Melbourne refuses to oppose the idea. Victoria is called upon her dismiss her Tory ladies-in-waiting and replace them with Whigs' wives but declines to do so, leading to the jealous Cumberland allying with Conroy to suggest a regent in the form of her mother. However Victoria flatly refuses and reinstates Melbourne. At the palace steward Penge attempts one last money making scheme by selling off used candles before gas lighting is introduced and Miss Skerrett gets a romantic invitation from chef Francatelli.
3Brocket Hall
Victoria's uncle, Belgian king Leopold, arrives at court, urging her to marry her German cousin Albert whilst the Russian Grand Duke puts himself up as a suitor and Cumberland pushes his son George into the arena, prompting below stairs speculation as to which one will become Regent. When Leopold accuses her of being in love with Melbourne she puts him in his place by declaring that she has no intention to be married but is clearly disappointed when Melbourne points out to her that they could never be together and she agrees to meet Albert, though she is initially unimpressed by him. She also starts to show some skill at politics, getting rid of Conroy with a promotion in Ireland and showing mercy to the Chartists, the radical group demanding universal suffrage who include Mrs Jenkins' nephew.
4The Clockwork Prince
Despite Leopold's assertion that it is Victoria's destiny to marry Albert she is cool towards her cousin, and more impressed by the new penny post system. However on a visit to Windsor she comes to realize that they have common interests and is grateful when he saves her injured dog - though she resents his passing his political opinions. As Melbourne announces his intention to resign Victoria finally proposes to Albert, declaring that theirs will be a marriage of inconvenience. Below stairs Miss Skerrett commits a crime to help her impoverished cousin but, thanks to the queen's generosity, is undetected.
5An Ordinary Woman
As Victoria announces her engagement Leopold demands a settlement and a title for Albert. However the privy council, resistant to the marriage, only agree to a reduced stipend and refuse a title as requested by Victoria. Even Lehzen seems less than enthusiastic about the marriage. Nonetheless Victoria presses ahead with her plans, departing from traditional custom, promising to 'obey' her husband in an attempt to overcome Albert's fears that he will dominate her. After the wedding she bids goodbye to Melbourne whilst below stairs Francatelli makes Miss Skerrett an offer.
6The Queen's Husband
Though happily married to Victoria Albert feels redundant and disrespected by many at the court. When abolitionists approach the royal couple for their active support at an anti-slavery rally Albert sees his opportunity and gives a rousing, heart-felt speech which wins him support from all quarters. Victoria meanwhile has her own methods of gaining acceptance for him. Albert's brother Ernest returns to Germany having shocked Albert by having an affair with the marries Duchess of Sutherland whilst Miss Skerritt is grateful to Francotelli for helping her to get medicine to her cousin and her sick child.
7Engine of Change
Albert is elated when he learns that Victoria is pregnant but she is fearful of dying in childbirth and wants to appoint him as regent for their child - which does not go down well with Wellington and his circle. Sir Robert Peel, however, who shares Albert's view on the importance of the railway, even converting Victoria to its advantages, proves to be an excellent ally to the prince and ensures that he is declared regent whilst the queen increasingly involves her husband in affairs of state. Below stairs Nancy Skerrett is charmed when Francotelli feeds her hot chocolate.
8Young England
There is speculation above and below stairs as to the queen's surviving child-birth with predatory heir to the throne Cumberland arriving at court. Now more confident Victoria goes for a carriage ride meeting the fanatical but harmless Captain Childers. Albert is angry that he was not told of the captain's regular letters to his wife and saves her from a gun attack by Edward Oxford, a member of the Young England party, to which Cumberland is suspected of having links. Some days later Victoria gives birth to a daughter whilst Ernest fights his feelings for the duchess of Sutherland and Nancy regrets not leaving with Francotelli to open his own bakers shop.
1A Soldier's Daughter
A month after giving birth, Victoria is frustrated at being cosseted and angry that Albert and the government are excluding her from their business. She is particularly annoyed to learn that they have kept from her the slaughter of British troops in the unwinnable war in Afghanistan and rebuffs Leopold's view that her baby girl is betrothed to a foreign power for political purposes. In the wake of public outrage at the Afghani defeat she rallies the country with a personal appearance whilst Albert's brother Ernest advises him on healing the marital rift. Below stairs the departure of Mrs Jenkins means promotion for Miss Skerrett whilst chef Francatelli is 'persuaded' to return and the formidable Duchess of Buccleuch becomes the new Mistress of the Robes.
2The Green-Eyed Monster
Having resisted his profligate father's financial demands Albert goes to the Royal Society to meet computer pioneers Charles Babbage and the poet Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace, inviting them to a palace function. Victoria is suspicious of her husband's admiration for Ada and calls in her old mentor, former premier Lord Melbourne, who advises her that the relationship is based solely on scientific interests. Victoria and Albert are further reconciled when she tells him that she is pregnant again whilst in the servant's hall a young thief convinces assistant dresser Miss Cleary that there is a ghost on the premises.
3Warp and Weft
The apprehension of a palace thief alerts Albert to household inefficiency, leading to pay increases for the staff, whilst Victoria receives a deputation from the weavers of Spitalfields protesting against foreign imports. Against the advice of Sir Robert Peel, who cites national unrest, Victoria decides to throw a ball where the costumes are only made by the Spitalfields craftsmen but Peel is proved right as the ball is seen as a costly extravagance whilst thousands are starving and there is a demonstration at the palace gates. The guests number Lord Melbourne, who masks his terminal illness from the queen, but Albert learns the truth and Victoria pays her former mentor an emotional visit.
4The Sins of the Father
Victoria gives painful birth to a son but severe natal depression prevents her from bonding with him. Unable to support her Albert returns to Germany where he is shocked to learn of his true paternity. Learning also of Leopold's intention to marry Ernest to a dour Spanish princess the unhappy Albert gets very drunk and leaves in a hurry. Back in England Victoria, helped by the Duchess of Buccleuch, begins to resume public appearances whilst Nancy Skerrett has to admit that she took the place of her pregnant impoverished cousin Eliza to obtain work, Eliza now having sold the story of the palace break-in to the papers. Victoria intends to dismiss her but Albert, nursing his own secret, steps in to save her job.
5Entente Cordiale
After Peel airs his misgivings over wily French king Louis Philippe betrothing his son to Isabel, the Spanish infanta, fearing a Franco-Spanish alliance against Britain Victoria travels with her entourage to the French court to dissuade the king. She is frustrated by his refusal to discuss the reason for her visit and puzzled by the reluctance of Albert, to support her, until he admits to her Leopold's revelation and is reassured by her view that it changes nothing between them. As a result the pair form an entente cordiale whilst closet gay lovers Lord Alfred Paget and government aide Drummond enjoy a nude dip with Albert. However, on return to England , Victoria learns of the French king's duplicity though she does have a pleasant surprise for Albert.
6Faith, Hope & Charity
1846:- Potato blight brings widespread famine to largely Catholic Ireland and compassionate vicar Robert Traill, faced with apathy by a bigoted Protestant clergy, writes to Victoria for assistance. Deeply moved by his letter she is anxious to help and is shocked when Peel refuses, claiming that to show favouritism to the Irish would cause resentment at home, undermining his government. She invites Dr Traill to visit her to explain how the Irish church has contributed to his parishioners' plight, prompting her to again ask Peel to send relief - but it is too late for the typhus-stricken Dr Traill and a million of his countrymen. Ernest has his own health problems whilst Albert busies himself improving sanitation foe London and Francatelli shows an act of great kindness to assistant dresser Miss Cleary to aid her family in Ireland.
7The King Over the Water
After an another attempt on her life Albert takes Victoria to the Scottish Highlands with a small entourage, staying with the Duke of Atholl. However they find the duke's entertainment, including a recital by a verbose poet, boring and formal, and they make their escape, sheltering from a storm with a crofter and his wife. Victoria delights in this freedom whilst Drummond, about to enter a marriage of convenience, and Paget enjoy their time together, unaware that courtier Wilhelmina Coke observes their passion, Meanwhile Ernest's attempts to woo the newly widowed Duchess of Sutherland, begin to bear fruit after an initial knockback.
8The Luxury of Conscience
Peel faces opposition to the repeal of the Corn Laws and his desire for free international trade though he is supported by Albert, whose presence in parliament results in his being mocked. Already unsettled by Leopold's unannounced arrival at court Albert also feels undermined by Baroness Lehzen's ideas of child-care, leading to an ultimatum. Peel's bill is passed at a cost to Drummond, Peel consequently resigning, whilst Ernest defies Leopold in his choice of bride and romance blossoms between Nancy Skerrett and Francatelli.
9Comfort and Joy
In 1846 Albert introduces the Christmas tree to court for the festivities and there are two other arrivals - Victoria's mother, invited by Albert, to his wife's displeasure, and Sarah. a little African girl, a gift from the king of Dahomey. Against Albert's advice Victoria tries to make Sarah feel less awkward at court but is forced to make a decision about her whilst a visit from the king of Prussia causes further discord. Ernest rebels against his father's plan to engage him to a wealthy German princess but has to keep a secret from the adoring duchess Harriet whilst Paget, still mourning Drummond, comes to an arrangement with the duchess of Buccleuth's niece Wilhelmina. Below stairs Penge's hope of making money from a railway scheme comes to nothing and Nancy finds an inheritance from a distant relation comes with a terrible price but finds consolation elsewhere.
1Uneasy Lies the Head That Wears the Crown
The workers across Europe are rising up. In France, Louis Philippe has been deposed. He asks Victoria for protection, as does her half sister. In Britain, the chartists want a vote. And Victoria goes into labor with her 6th child.
2London Bridge Is Falling Down
Victoria must decide whether to fight the Chartists with force, or allow them to present their petition.
3Et in Arcadia
At Osborne House, Albert relishes the opportunity to instruct the family away from London, but Victoria is desperate to get back to the Palace and the business of politics.
4Foreign Bodies
An outbreak of cholera plagues London, while Albert is offered the seat of Chancellor at Cambridge University.
5A Show of Unity
After an assassination attempt, the Royal household visits Ireland. Intrigue, conflict, and romance all blossom during a stay at the Palmerston estate. Feodora is left to her own devices in the Palace.
6A Coburg Quartet
A ball could not come at a worse time as private Royal family pictures are made public.
7A Public Inconvenience
Victoria must fight against her better judgment to decide where to place her allegiance.
8The White Elephant
The world's eyes are on the Great Exhibition, and the Royal couple. Does triumph or failure beckon?
