SONG: # Gloriana # Hallelujah # Gloriana # Hallelujah # Gloriana, hallelujah # Hallelujah! # Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2019 (WONDROUS MUSIC) (WONDROUS MUSIC CONTINUES) - (DOOR OPENS) - COLE: Good morning, Your Royal Highness. I am sorry to disturb you, sir, but I've just heard the Russian exhibits have been held up. - (STAMMERS) Held up? - By ice. In the Baltic. It's been a long winter. It has been a long winter. Ah. Albert, you must come and have breakfast. - Majesty. - Ah, Mr Cole. You're here already. Albert, I know you're busy, but you must eat. The Russian ships have frozen in the Baltic. I promise the exhibition will be fine without a few sable pelts and dried herrings. Actually, ma'am, they were sending samples of minerals... Won't it, Mr Cole? Mmm! (LIGHT MUSIC) Very well. (LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES) (VICTORIA SIGHS) Awful Colonel Sibthorp. Demanding I put a stop to this "crystal abomination". Really. Can't he see Albert's a visionary? Perhaps only a wife can truly appreciate his...genius. What do you mean? FEODORA: Just that... Your belief in Albert must be such a solace to him at the moment. People are being so unkind. Monmouth. He says Sophie has taken a turn for the worse. I'd no idea it was so serious. Did you, Emma? Why, no, ma'am. She's suffering from... ..some kind of inflammation of the brain that requires complete rest and seclusion. (SOBS) I am so sorry to have been the bearer of bad news. It is so illogical! The United States have sent their steam-powered threshing machine and now the Vice President is concerned about hailstones breaking the glass roof. What does it matter if some lily-livered American won't show up? The exhibition is for the people, and I'm sure they can't wait to see their...steam-powered threshing machine. Adelheid. Let me introduce my Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston. (SPEAKS GERMAN) - Serene Highness. - (GIGGLES) (PALMERSTON LAUGHS) Adelheid has barely left the schoolroom, Lord Palmerston. - (PALMERSTON CLEARS THROAT) - VICTORIA: Heidi. We must talk about your dress for the exhibition. I only have two dresses, and I am afraid they are not chic. Then we must go and talk to my dresser. And I'm sure Feo would be happy to lend you some of her new jewels. Feodora, of course you will be looking for a match for Heidi, no? FEODORA: Uh, she's still so young. The King of Prussia's brother, Sigmund, will be coming. If Heidi were to find him agreeable, I think he could be most suitable. Vicky, of course, will marry the Crown Prince, but until then, it could be beneficial to have an ally in Berlin, do you not think, Lord Palmerston? If you say so, sir. You are most thoughtful, Albert. (PLAYFUL MUSIC) (VICTORIA READS) "Prince Florizel asked the King if he could marry his daughter "and the King, with tears in his eyes, gave him his blessing. "And so Aurora and Florizel were married and they lived happily ever after. "The end." Now, time for bed. - (BABY GRIZZLES) - (CHILD WHISPERS) Time for bed. Time for bed! (SIGHS) Goodnight. Papa told Aunt Feo that I'm going to marry the Crown Prince and live in Berlin. But I want to stay here with you! (LAUGHS) Yes, well, you do now, but one day you'll want your own family. But I promise... ..when you do marry, you will marry just as I did - for love. Do you think Cousin Adelheid will marry for love? VICTORIA: Yes. Yes, I'm sure she will. Will Papa come and say goodnight? (SIGHS) Maybe not tonight, darling. Now, bed. - Goodnight. - BOTH: Goodnight, Mama! PALMERSTON: Russell! I've just had a dispatch from Paris. There's been a coup and Louis Napoleon has declared himself emperor. Who'd have thought that after Waterloo there would be another Bonaparte emperor? He's nothing like his uncle. He's even shorter, apparently. And he has no plans to attack Britain. RUSSELL: How can you be sure? PALMERSTON: Because he'll be too busy licking his own country into shape. You seem very confident. He may be a Frenchman, but Louis Napoleon is someone I can do business with. - I want to see my son. - I'm sure you do. However, I think he would find the sight of his lunatic mother rather distressing, don't you? Perhaps it's time I sent you to the asylum where you can be properly cared for. There is nothing wrong with me. When the Queen hears about what you've done, she will demand that you set me free. Oh, how remiss of me. Her Majesty sent over some calf's foot jelly. She does so hope you'll be better for the exhibition. What a shame you'll have to disappoint her. COLE: The 'Times' today said the influx of visitors from all over the world would likely result in fermentation of a new plague, just as the Black Death followed the Crusades. How can a respectable newspaper print such utter nonsense? I don't think there is such a thing as a respectable paper, sir. - (LAUGHS) - (DOOR OPENS) - Albert? - Mmm? - Your Majesty. - Ah. You're still working. How can I sleep knowing that we have not sold enough tickets? But I thought the excursion fares were going to make all the difference. They are helping, certainly, ma'am, but no-one's buying the season tickets. It seems that society women do not wish to rub shoulders with the ruffians and foreigners. But might they want to shake hands with their queen? Why, yes indeed, ma'am! Then I think we have a solution, Mr Cole. Victoria, no. I do not want to use you to sell tickets. And I, Albert, do not want your great creation to fail. And, more importantly, I want you to get some sleep. - Perhaps you are right. - Yes. Indeed. Goodnight, Mr Cole. Ma'am. - Come on. - Yes, very well. Very well. * (LIGHT MUSIC) (TENSE MUSIC) (DOG BARKS IN THE DISTANCE) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (SIGHS) It is magnificent, my love. Yet it will still be there in the morning. ALBERT: In Burma... ..the kings, they have these sacred elephants that are silvery in colour. And if a king gives an elephant to a subject it is seen as a sign of great fortune. The animals are too sacred to be put to work and, of course, they cannot be sold. But they are so expensive to keep that sometimes the new owners are forced to choose between feeding their children and feeding the beast. That is what the 'Times' called this today. A white elephant. I am afraid I have built a monument to my own folly. Fiddlesticks. People just have to get used to the idea, that's all. And if they do not? Well, if they do not... ..then you will still be my husband. The father of my children. My beloved. (SIGHS) Your hand is like ice. (TENDER MUSIC) PALMERSTON: Your Serene Highness. What are you doing in the park? I'm coming to see the Prince's creation. Ah. She's a fine-looking girl, your Heidi. Too pretty to marry a Prussian. She could do much better. Louis Napoleon has declared himself emperor of France. He's going to need an empress. I can't imagine why a man who distrusts the French as you do would suggest such a match. Well, the Russian bear would like to sweep up the Balkans in its claw. All they would need to do is find a common cause with a country with an excellent navy and ambitions to re-create the lost dominance of Europe. France, for example. That would be most unfortunate for us. And you think Heidi could prevent this alliance? I think if she's anything like her mother, then Britain's interests will be quite safe. Of course. And as empress...she would outrank everyone. Even the Queen of England. Good day. Once again, Palmerston has exceeded his authority. He had no right to congratulate Napoleon on making himself Emperor of the French. I don't understand how this Bonaparte can make himself emperor just like that. After all that we have done to cultivate a good relationship with Prussia, Palmerston has congratulated their greatest enemy. I think you're not alone in deploring his actions, sir. I suspect that for once, the Foreign Secretary will not have the support of the country. Or the Commons. ABIGAIL: But the Queen told me to give this to the Duchess in person. MAID: No-one is allowed up there, miss. Not even to clean or empty the slops. Do you think the Duchess is very ill? What kind of an illness is it when a patient has to be locked in when the nurses come down for their meals? I acted in the national interest, ma'am. Of which you are the sole guardian. Of course not, but this country's reputation is my greatest concern. Which is why I'm here. Thank you. Is it true that you're going to attend the public opening of the exhibition? Of course. - Think of all that glass. Such a tempting target. - Oh, don't be so lily-livered. You've been against the exhibition from the beginning. Well, the British public don't take well to hyperbole, ma'am. The minute you call something 'great', they just want to belittle it. So, what do you suggest? Stay away from the exhibition. Let it be the Prince's project and not the Crown's. (PLAYFUL MUSIC) HEIDI: Oh, isn't it lovely? I don't want to take it off ever. Aunt Victoria has been so kind. I love her so much. Well, she can afford to give you lovely things. And Uncle Albert says he thinks I will like Prince Sigmund. Imagine living in Berlin! Mmm! Imagine... ..living in Paris. My dress is pink and so is Vicky's. And Bertie will wear his kilt. It's important people recognise the Prince of Wales. People are talking of nothing else but the exhibition, ma'am. (ABIGAIL CLEARS HER THROAT) Excuse me, ma'am. I went to Monmouth House as you asked me to and I wasn't allowed to see the Duchess. It is my belief that she has been confined to her room on the grounds of insanity. Insanity? Sophie is not a lunatic. No, but I suspect the Duke does not agree with you, ma'am. Please find the Duke of Monmouth and tell him I wish to speak with him. At once. ABIGAIL: Let Brodie go. JOSEPH: I wanna wring his aristocratic neck. I could do it too. Just like killing a chicken. One quick twist! Which is why you mustn't go near him, Joseph. He's a powerful man. I don't care what he does to me! He has no right to lock her up. I would lay down my life for her, Abigail. (SOBS) (ELEGANT TUNE PLAYS ON HARPSICHORD) Emily! You look surprised, Henry. I hope I'm not spoiling any of your plans. You know that you are the only plan worth following. What are you doing here? You hate London in the season. The Queen invited me to the opening of the exhibition. And you left Ireland for that? I could hardly refuse a royal command. And besides, I'm looking forward to seeing the famous Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace? Crystal carbuncle, more like. It's full of the world's impedimenta. Have you ever considered the possibility that the Prince is right? Never. God made Britain an island for a reason. - So God's an Englishman? - Mmm. Of course. Are you sure Louis Napoleon deserves your support? Is that why you're here? I didn't think you cared for politics. It isn't politics I care for, Henry. Since you are determined to proceed, there is nothing I can do to prevent a vote of censure against the Foreign Secretary for his letter of... congratulation to the so-called Emperor of the French. But Palmerston has stuck to the Foreign Office like a limpet through every crisis of his own making. This time, we must be sure... of getting him out. PENGE: The Duke of Monmouth, ma'am. Your Majesty. Is it true, Duke, that the Duchess, my Mistress of the Robes, is being confined in your house as a lunatic? Given the Duchess's mental state, I'm afraid I... I don't believe there's anything wrong with Sophie's mind. But the doctors who examined her would disagree with you. Hmm! Really? In my experience, men only call women mad when they are doing something... ..inconvenient. Her behaviour has been more than inconvenient, ma'am. It has been...wanton. The doctors call it 'hysterical nymphomania'. So you see, ma'am, I had no choice. She is my wife, and I regret to say she is mad. Duke... ..I expect to see the Duchess at the exhibition tomorrow. - Uh... - You may leave us. * (CHUCKLES) Hello. Hello. Hey. They say language is the gateway to culture. And I have the key. Can I interest you in the big Kiwi breakfast? (PHONE TRANSLATES INTO SWEDISH) (SPEAKS SWEDISH) PHONE TRANSLATOR: Kiwis are endangered, no? (SPEAKS SWEDISH) PHONE TRANSLATOR: I could try a little one. * Wake up, Mama. Wake up! I think Papa is dead! Come on, Mama! (DOOR OPENS) Albert. Albert! - Albert! - (GASPS) - Victoria. - Oh! Bertie, what...what... What's happening? I'm so sorry, Papa. I wanted to talk to you. He thought you were dead. Well...well, as you can see, I... ..I'm very much alive. But only just. Albert, you cannot go on like this. Victoria, I do not think you should accompany me tomorrow. I do not want you tainted by my failure. Bertie... ..off to bed with you. (ALBERT MUTTERS) Do you know that Palmerston said the same thing to me today? I would have to be really quite stubborn... ..one might even say... ..irrational... ..to ignore both of you, don't you think? Of course I'm coming with you, Albert. (BRIGHT, CHEERFUL MUSIC) (BRIGHT, CHEERFUL MUSIC CONTINUES) (PEOPLE CHEER AND APPLAUD) (BRIGHT, CHEERFUL MUSIC SWELLS) Look at all these people, Henry. All wearing their Sunday best for the exhibition. How do you know they haven't turned out to see me, Em? - (PEOPLE BOO) - Traitor! Louis Napoleon? Keep smiling, darling. (AIRY MUSIC) (GRAND MUSIC) (GRAND MUSIC CONTINUES) (APPLAUSE) (TRUMPETERS PLAY FANFARE) (CHOIR SINGS) # God save our gracious queen # Long live our noble queen... # (WHISPERS) It's the eighth wonder of the world! I'm so proud of you. # Send her victorious # Happy and glorious # Long to reign over us # God save the Queen. # (CLEARS THROAT) Your Majesty, we are living at a period of the most wonderful transition. We are moving towards that great end - the realisation of the unity of all mankind. The distances that separate the different countries are rapidly vanishing with the achievements of modern invention. The world is getting smaller. And the aim of the exhibition is to unite the art and industry from every nation on the earth. (WHISPERS) Thank you. There were many who said this could not be done. But they did not possess the vision of one man... ..my husband... ..and his accomplice, Sir Henry Cole, who understood that the nations of the world were ready for this festival of peace. And now it is with the greatest pleasure that I declare the exhibition...open. (CHOIR SINGS) # Hallelujah! # (HOPEFUL MUSIC) Sophie! I'm so glad to see you here. Fully recovered, I hope? Yes, ma'am. So you have no need for your attendants. Ma'am. - And, Duke. - Ma'am. You must be dying to inspect the steam threshing machine. Ma'am. Ah! Better, I think. - Yes, ma'am. - BERTIE: Mama, look! Excuse me. What is it? Excuse me, Your Grace, but I think you'll find the American gallery very much to your taste. I hope you will be careful. Your husband is watching. But maybe this is the moment you could slip away unobserved. (GRAND MUSIC) Majesty. This is a most impressive gathering. And everything completely on time. Congratulations to you both. Thank you. And also, the roof has not fallen in. May I introduce my daughter, Vicky? Vicky, this is His Majesty the King of Prussia and his son, the Crown Prince. Your Highness. Dearest Sigmund, may I also introduce my niece, Adelheid? But family and friends call me Heidi. Cousin Heidi. I would like to show you the pavilion of my country. There is a piece of coal that is resembling a dachshund. (LAUGHS) Sigmund and Adelheid seem to be enjoying one another's company. What a matchmaker you are, Albert. I thought I'd never see you again. There is a boat that sails to New York tomorrow from Liverpool. Meet me at Euston tonight and we can catch the train together. America, Sophie. A place where we don't have to be duchesses or footmen. It won't be the life you were used to, but it will be a life based on love. You know how much I want to be with you... ..but how can I leave William? Monmouth will never let him go. But William won't be a child for long. MAN: His excellency Ali Avani, the envoy from Persia. PERSIAN MAN: Your Majesty. Now that you have recovered... MAN: His Excellency Mehmet Ali, the envoy from Turkey. ..I trust you will not have a relapse. Count Orloff, representing the Tsar. Because, Sophie, I set great store in having you by my side. (MAN CONTINUES INTRODUCTIONS INDISTINCTLY) His Excellency the Baron Axel from the Kingdom of Denmark. MAN: Your Majesty. * MONMOUTH: Ah, just the man. Can you tell me the name of the man with whom my wife has been consorting? I'm sorry, Your Grace, but I cannot help you further. You know, the thing I prize more than anything is loyalty. Then I suspect you are frequently disappointed, Your Grace. In my experience, loyalty must be earned, not bought. Foreign Secretary. Prime Minister. You look as if you've won the Derby. Don't tell me the vote of censure went against me? Perhaps we could talk privately. PALMERSTON: No need. You'll have my letter of resignation in the morning. - RUSSELL: I am so sorry that... - Oh, don't pretend you're not thrilled to be rid of me. Anyway, I'm rather looking forward to spending more time with my beautiful wife. Cousin Heidi, I've been looking for you everywhere. Will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife? Bertie, don't you think I'm a little old for you? No. Mama says I'm getting more grown up every day. I'm afraid that my mama has already found me a husband. Not horrible Sigmund with his stupid moustache. Oh, I quite like Sigmund. No, she wants me to marry Louis Napoleon. Do you love him? Oh! What a...touching scene. SOPHIE: Come along. Look, there's even a tuning fork. Your Majesty, I, um... Are you having trouble finding the right note, Lord Pam? Russell told you? He was almost jubilant. I should have listened to you, ma'am. You did warn me. But that's not in your nature. No, I'm afraid it isn't. It's so unlike you to go against public sentiment. I knew I was doing the right thing. Do you know who you sound like? My husband. He was prepared to go against public opinion because he knew the end result would be worth it. It's a great achievement. I wish the same could be said for my career. Which is not over, Lord Pam. Goodbye, ma'am. We'll be hours waiting for the carriage. Do you mind if we walk? I find myself rather wanting to go home. I don't mind at all, Henry. Are you leaving, Lord Palmerston? I was hoping we might talk. Your Serene Highness, may I present Lady Palmerston? I'd hoped you might introduce me to the French ambassador. I'm sure it can be arranged, but not by me. I'm afraid I'm no longer Foreign Secretary. You've been dismissed? No, resigned, actually, but the result is the same. Oh, well, what a pity. It was a role you played very well. At least you have your wife to console you. He has a wife who'll make sure that one day he becomes Prime Minister. Good day, Your Serene Highness. VICTORIA: Ah, Sophie. I've been thinking that you should have your own house in town so that your son can stay with you. Don't you agree? William is so independent now he's gone to school. He doesn't need me anymore. I think every woman sometimes dreams of escape. But how far would you have to go to forget your own child? (STIRRING MUSIC) (STIRRING MUSIC CONTINUES) (PEOPLE CHEER AND APPLAUD) (PEOPLE CHANT) God save the Queen! God save the Queen! God save the Queen! God save Papa! CROWD: God save Prince Albert! God save Prince Albert! God save Prince Albert! God save Prince Albert! God save Prince Albert! Take that, Louis Napoleon! And that! Bertie. (LAUGHS) I have something for you. I don't want your stupid chocolate. Bertie? Bertie. Uh-uh! Hey. What's the matter? My heart is broken. Oh, I see. Well, that's very serious. But you know, I think hearts can be mended. Would you like me to try? You see, Papa, I've fallen in love with Heidi. I think she'd be a very good queen. But she says Aunt Feo wants her to marry Louis Napoleon. And I love her so much. ALBERT: Well... ..I promise... ..you will find someone else to love. But I won't be a good king without her. Dearest Bertie, trust me. You will not need Heidi to be a great king. Come. (BERTIE LAUGHS) VOICEOVER: We believe that experiencing the world is a great way to build your child's resilience. To help prepare them for each experience, we've developed Aptamil Toddler, with scientifically researched ingredients that nutritionally support their immune system. Let them build their resilience by experiencing the world. * When you said you thought I should be prime minister, were you being serious? Yes, Henry. I think you've had enough of foreign affairs. Does that mean you're going to be staying in London with me? How else are you going to lead the country? Please, would you mind? (DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES) What on earth is the matter? I have just discovered that your sister has been conspiring with Lord Pilgerstein so that her daughter may marry Louis Napoleon. Ah. Well, nothing can come of that now. - What? - Palmerston has resigned. Nevertheless. I trusted her. I confided in her. And...and all the time, she was deceiving me. You were right about her, Victoria. And I should have listened to you. Well, I take no satisfaction in being right. Would you forgive me if I did not quite believe you? Ah! I wanted to congratulate you once more. You must be so proud that all your hard work has come to such a... ..splendid resolution. Oh. And thank you, Albert, for introducing Heidi to Sigmund. I think she likes him. And what do you think Lord Palmerston would say if she married him? Lord Palmerston? No, you no longer care what he thinks now that he is not Foreign Secretary anymore. You betrayed me, Feodora. Albert. I'm not so bad, really. I could have allowed Heidi to accept your son's proposal. Tis a pity. She would have made a good Queen of England. As I would have done. But...I have my standards, and your unfortunate son... ..does not meet them. We will leave in the morning. Feo. Feo, wait. Bertie is my son. He's just a child. He's a little boy with feelings too big for his body. I can remember what that was like. I think you can too. You don't have to go, Feo. I know you were only trying to do your best for Heidi... ..the way Mama was only trying to do her best when she sent you to Langenburg to get married. But I was Mama's child too. No-one ever did their best for me. And you have wanted to punish me... ..for that. I know you think that I have everything and that you have nothing. But there is one thing I don't have. A sister. (SOBS QUIETLY) Mama! I dreamt I was lost and I couldn't find you. (TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS) Are you going to stand here every night? (ALBERT CHUCKLES) I wanted to remember that I had done... ..something right. (VICTORIA SIGHS) Albert, you've done so much. ALBERT: Do you think it will make a difference? VICTORIA: I do. That was a day to live forever. And I could not have done it without you. Oh, nonsense. (LAUGHS) I did everything I could to stop you. Not when it mattered. No. No. Oh. Are you alright? Ah, yes. Just tired. How beautiful you look tonight. This is where we stood when you, uh... Proposed. You were so nervous. I was. It was the biggest decision of my life. Was it the right one? (GROANS) Albert? Albert! Albert! Albert! Albert! Albert! Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2019