Victoria

Elphinstone has given the order to retreat, Duke.

They should reach Jalalabad within a month.

In January? The weather will be closing in.

Through the Khyber Pass, they will be single file in places.

Damned easy to ambush.

I'm afraid there is no alternative.

Elphinstone believes the Kabul garrison to be indefensible.

He has no choice, sir. They have been guaranteed safe passage.

I wouldn't put my faith in Afghan promises.

Thank you, gentlemen.

I see no reason to trouble the Queen with this.

I do not want to distress her at this delicate time.

Ma'am.

This is ridiculous.

Drina, it is too dangerous, please!

I may have had a baby

but I am quite capable of walking down the stairs.

Victoria.

Is this wise, to be out of bed?

Sir James said at least a month.

This is what I'm telling her. But she doesn't listen to me.

I'm not going to stay in that chair for a moment longer.

Your Majesty.

Albert, let's go out. Let's go out into the fresh air.

I want to go riding.

Riding? Are you sure?

Yes, of course I'm sure.

Forgive me, ma'am.

I am afraid it will be most irregular

for you to appear in public before you have been churched.

Churched?

Your Majesty. It is customary for a woman who has had a child

to be purified in church before she rejoins society.

-And you are? -Drummond, Ma'am.

Sir Robert's private secretary.

Well, Mr Drummond, I am not a woman.

I am a queen.

Almighty God, we give thee humble thanks

that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this woman

from the pain and peril of childbirth,

and cast out her sin.

The peace and blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,

descend upon thee, and remain for ever.

Amen.

What does the Archbishop know about the pain and peril of childbirth?

The ignominy of having to kneel in front of that old man

as if I had committed some sin, instead of having a baby!

Such a charming ceremony.

I remember how it was after I had you, Victoria.

To be welcomed back into the Church after receiving such a gift from God.

God had nothing to do with it.

I won! I won!

Oh, I have missed this so much.

Let's go round again.

But there is so much to do.

Go!

Albert! Albert, wait!

You couldn't beat me even with a head start.

Perhaps I know how happy it makes you to win, Liebes.

I've missed this, too.

Not now, Lehzen.

Mein kleines Madchen.

What beautiful blue eyes you have.

All babies have blue eyes, Albert.

I think you should come down to the kitchens, Mr Penge.

Mr Craddock has struck a kitchen maid.

Can't you see I'm busy, Brodie?

He has a knife, Mr Penge.

You are in deep trouble, my dear!

May I remind you, Mr Craddock,

that this is Buckingham Palace, not Bedlam!

You will give me that knife.

It may be a Palace upstairs but down here it's no better than a rookery.

I caught her red-handed in the pantry with a loaf in her hand.

I was just taking the stale bread for Dash's dinner.

Mr Francatelli always said just go and get it.

But I am not Mr Francatelli. Indeed you are not, Mr Craddock!

The knife.

Everyone, get back to work.

Ma'am.

I'm so glad you've made a full recovery.

I feel much better now I'm back at work, Lord Alfred.

Confinement... does not suit me.

Then, ma'am, may I ask you

to look at my brother Septimus's commission?

It should be on the Army List.

Albert has been doing the boxes in my absence.

I'm sure he would have approved it, though.

Thank you, ma'am. It's much appreciated.

Sir, despatch from General Ellenburgh.

Thank you.

Albert. There you are.

Do you have the boxes?

-Boxes? -Yes.

I have so much to catch up on.

No, do not worry.

I've already gone through them.

I've summarised my findings in this memorandum.

Thank you, my angel, but I should like the boxes to be sent to me,

so I can... I can master the detail.

Of course.

So long as you do not think you will wear yourself out.

I think I can manage.

To be honest, Miss Skerrett, I do not think that you're ready

for the Chief Dresser's position.

However... I have spoken to the Queen

and, for some reason, she thinks you should replace Mrs Jenkins.

I hope you will justify Her Majesty's faith in you, Mrs Skerrett.

But I ain't married, Baroness.

Oh, neither was Mrs Jenkins.

Not to a man, that is.

I remembered you dress to the left, sir.

The fit should be nice and snug now.

Thank you.

It fits you perfectly.

I'm glad it has your royal approval.

Where are you going all dressed up?

To inspect my regiment.

The 11th Hussars?

It won't take me long to get ready.

You want to come with me?

It may be your regiment, Albert, but it is my army.

It does the men good to see their Queen,

and Lord knows we need to keep morale high

if the rumours from Afghanistan are true.

Has anyone told the Queen?

The Prince still feels there is no need to worry Her Majesty,

so soon after her confinement.

She looks robust enough to me.

But you are Prime Minister now, Peel.

The uniforms are magnificent.

But are they practical in the field of battle?

The helmets, for example. The plumes, they are... irrelevant.

But so splendid.

I do not think this uniform is designed for modern warfare.

But I think I would feel brave wearing it.

God save the Queen!

God save the Queen! God save the Queen!

God save the Queen!

I am glad to see Your Majesty fully recovered.

How fortunate you are to have such an able... substitute.

I try to be of service.

I was wondering, Ma'am,

if you have come to a decision regarding your ladies?

More than that, Sir Robert.

The new Mistress of the Robes arrives today.

And might I enquire as to whom you have chosen?

The Duchess of Buccleuch.

Have you met her, Ma'am?

No.

I have met all your other suggestions, Sir Robert.

She was on your list. At the very bottom.

I hardly think...

If you will excuse me.

-Ma'am. -Ma'am.

May I, ma'am?

I wanted to see the princess before I go.

I like watching her sleep.

When my children were babies, it was my favourite time too.

Did you like them...

straightaway?

Well, I was pleased they were healthy,

I would have killed anyone that caused them any harm, but like them?

I think that comes later, ma'am.

Having a baby is a sacrifice as well as a blessing.

I will miss you, Harriet.

But you must come to the christening.

You're so good with my Coburg in-laws.

Your carriage is here, Harriet.

Till the christening, then.

Your Majesty, The Duchess of Buccleuch

and the Honourable Wilhelmina Coke.

Your Majesty.

Welcome to Buckingham Palace, Duchess.

Oh, I have been here before, Ma'am.

Serving Queen Adelaide.

Such a great lady.

May I introduce my niece, Wilhelmina, as your Maid of Honour.

Keep your back straight.

Madam...

May I show you and Miss Coke to your apartments, Duchess?

I expect you remember the palace from before, Duchess.

In my day, it was only a house...

but at least it was clean.

My valet tells me

that your new Mistress of the Robes does not like her rooms.

Why aren't we going to the commissioning of HMS Trafalgar?

I went through those boxes this morning.

I know, Albert, but it is a very good thing I did.

You forgot to put Septimus Paget on the list of new commissions.

I did not forget. I did not find him suitable.

But he is quite charming, like all his family.

Lord M always says every officers' mess needs a Paget.

If Lord Melbourne understood that charm's not the most important trait in a soldier,

then perhaps we would not be retreating from Kabul.

Retreating from Kabul?

Well, why didn't you tell me?

I... I did not want to alarm you.

Not alarm me?