03x08 - The White Elephant

[bunniefuu]

Good morning,
Your Royal Highness.

I am sorry to disturb you,
sir, but I've just heard

the Russian exhibits
have been held up.

Held, held up?By ice.

In the Baltic.

It's been a long winter.

It has been a long winter.

Well.

Albert,

you must come
and have breakfast.

Your 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

that could...Won't it, Mr. Cole?

Mmm.

Very well.

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?Just that...

Your belief in Albert

must be such a solace to him
at the moment.

People are being
so unkind.

Monmouth says Sophie has taken
a turn for the worse.

I had no idea
it was so serious.

Did you, Emma?

Why, no, ma'am.

In fact, she has been
looking very well of late.

Bloooming, I would say.

She's suffering from...

some kind of inflammation
of the brain

that requires complete rest
and seclusion.

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.

Hmm.Adelheid.

Let me introduce
my foreign secretary,

Lord Palmerston.

Serene Highness.

Adelheid has barely left
the school room,

Lord Palmerston.

Heidi,

we must talk about your dress
for the exhibition.

I only have two dresses,

and I'm 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?

Eh, she's still so young.

Ah, well, the king of Prussia's
brother Sigmund will be coming.

If Heidi were to find him
agreeable,

I think it 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.

"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.

Time for bed.

Good night.

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.

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?

Yes.

Yes, I'm, I'm sure she will.

Will Papa come
and say good night?

Maybe not tonight, darling.

Now, bed.

Good night.

Good night, Mama.

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?

Well,
he's nothing like his uncle.

He's even shorter,

apparently,

and he has no plans
to att*ck Britain.

How can you be sure?

Well, 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.

Oh, The Timestoday said,

"The influx of visitors
from all over the world

"will likely result in
fermentation of a new plague,

just as the Black Death followed
the Crusades."

How, how can a,
a respectable newspaper print

such utter nonsense?

I don't think
there is such a thing

as a respectable paper,
sir.

Albert.

Hmm?

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.

Might they want to shake hands
with their queen?

Why, yes indeed, ma'am.

Mmm, 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.

Good night,
Mr. Cole.

Ma'am.

Come on.

Yes, very well,
very well.

It is magnificent,
my love.

But it will still be there
in the morning.

In Burma,

the kings, they have
these sacred elephants

that are silver in color.

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 put to work,

and of course
they cannot be sold.

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 Timescalled
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.

Your hand is like ice.

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 recreate
their 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.

Have you heard from
the duchess of Monmouth, ma'am?

I hope she is recovering
from her illness.

The duke said
she is no better.

Would you like me to make
some inquiries,

ma'am?

Yes.

Yes, perhaps you should.

I'll write a letter
to Sophie.

To be delivered
in person.

That's a good idea.

Glad you approve,
Turner.

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.

Once again, Palmerston
has exceeded his authority.

He had no right
to congratulate Napoleon on,

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 are not alone
in deploring his action, sir.

I suspect that for once,
the foreign secretary

will not have the support
of the country.

Or the Commons.

Ah, Feodora.

Can it be right

that you were seen

in the park today,
talking with Lord Palmerston?

Oh, he accosted me, Albert.

I didn't want
to cut him in public,

much as I would have
liked to.

Yes, well he has put the
whole exhibition in jeopardy

with his support
of Louis Napoleon.

I thought the Prussians
would withdraw,

but I explained to the king

Palmerston does not
speak for the crown.

I think he speaks
only for himself.

Well, I must say
I am pleased

that Prince Sigmund
will still be coming.

Oh, you are so kind,
Albert.

To think of my little Heidi
at a time like this.

Well, I know how much
her happiness matters to you.

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.

But the queen told me to give
this to the duchess in person.

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?

My dress is pink,

and so is Vicky's,
and Bertie will wear his kilt.

It's important people recognize

the prince of Wales.

People are talking
of nothing else

but the exhibition, ma'am.

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.

Let Brodie go.

I want to wring
his aristocratic neck.

I could do it, too.

Just like k*lling 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.

Don't look so surprised.

You think a footman
isn't capable of real feeling?

And a good-looking young man

could use a duchess
for his own advancement.

Oh, not everyone thinks
like you, Mr. Penge.

You don't think I am capable of
real feeling, Mrs. Turner?

Brodie?

Whoa.

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.

But what are you doing here?

You hate London in the season.

The queen invited me to
the opening of the exhibition.

Oh, and you left Ireland
for that?

I could hardly refuse
a royal command,

and besides,
I am looking forward to seeing

the famous Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace?

Crystal Carbuncle,
more like.

It's full of the world's
impedimenta.

Or a step
towards the realization

of the unity of mankind?

Emily, please.

You know what sententious
claptrap does to my poor nerves.

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?

Hmm, 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.

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 had no choice...

I don't believe there's anything
wrong with Sophie's mind.

But the doctors who examined her
would disagree with you.

Really?

In my experience,

men only call women mad

when they are doing something
inconvenient.

Her behavior 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.

You may leave us.

Wake up, Mama!

Wake up!

I think Papa is d*ad!

Come on, Mama!

Albert.

Albert!

Albert!What?

Victoria?

Bertie?

What... what is happening?

I'm so sorry, Papa.

I wanted to talk to you...

He thought you were d*ad.

Oh, 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.

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.

Papa, your hand is very cold.

That... that is because
I am nervous.

Well, I think you have nothing
to worry about.

It's time.

Good morning, Mr. Cole.

Your Majesty.

You see we have
the queen's weather.

I hope you've come to tell me
the tickets have all sold.

Well, yes, ma'am.

And the park
is completely full

with what I believe
are well-wishers.

What else could they be?

Well,
Inspector Dorbiney thinks

the crown might not be
entirely benign.

You think there could be
trouble, Inspector?

Your Royal Highness,

with so many people gathered
in one place,

it doesn't take much
to turn a crowd.

What would you suggest?

Sir, I would suggest that
you enter through the back way,

in a closed carriage.

And that your children
should remain

in the safety of the palace.

I cannot put you
and the children in danger.

Do you have confidence
in your creation, Albert?

Because even if you don't,

I do.

Please.

Does the queen know?

What, that I'm a Chartist?

Yes, she does.

I am not in the habit
of pretending to be

someone I'm not.Abigail!

Please...

Please.

I wasn't pretending
all the time.

Mrs. Turner to you,
Inspector Dorbiney.

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, M?

Louis Napoleon?

Keep smiling, darling.

It's the eighth wonder
of the world.

I'm so proud of you.

Your Majesty,

we are living
at a period

of most wonderful
transition.

We are moving towards
that great end,

the realization of the unity

of all mankind.

The distances that separated
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.

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.

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.

Mama, look!

Excuse me.

Excuse me, Your Grace.

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.

Your Majesty.

This is a most impressive
gathering,

and everything
completely on time.

Congratulations
to you both.

Oh, thank you.

And also the, 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.

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 and footmen.

It won't be the life
you are 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 would never
let him go.

But William won't be
a child for long.

Thank you.

Before you start,
I should tell you.

I'm leaving the palace.

Actually, Joseph...

I came to ask your pardon.

For misjudging you.

When you came to the palace,

I took you
for the kind of unscrupulous man

who would do anything
for his own advantage.

I see now that I was wrong.

No, Mr. Penge,
you were quite right.

I was looking for advantage.

But instead I found...

Someone whose happiness was
more important than your own.

I do remember what it's like

to lose your reason
over a woman.

And I hope you have
more luck than I had.

Now...

You should leave quickly
before the duke sees you.

His Excellency Ali Avani,
the envoy from Persia.

Your Majesty.

Now that you have
recovered...

His Excellency Mehmet Ali,
the envoy from Turkey.

Your Majesty.

I trust you will not
have a relapse.

Count Orlov,
representing the tsar.

Because, Sophie,

I set great store
on having you by my side.

The ambassador...

His Excellency the Baron Aksen,
Kingdom of Denmark.

Your Majesty.

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.

Cousin Heidi, I've been
looking for you everywhere.

Will you do me
the very great honor

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 mustache.

Oh, I quite like Sigmund.

No, she wants me to marry
Louis Napoleon.

Do you love him?

I have never met him.

But she says it is easy to love
an emperor.

Ah!

What a... touching scene.

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.

No need.

You'll have my letter
of resignation in the morning.

I'm 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.

83-blade knife.

Look.

There is even
a tuning fork.

Your Majesty, I, um...

Are you having trouble finding
the right note, Lord Pam?

Has Russell told you?

He was almost jubilant.

Should have listened to you,
ma'am.

You did warn me.

But that was not
in your nature.

No, I'm afraid
it isn't.

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.

Oh.

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.

Have you been dismissed?

No, resigned, actually,

but the result is the same.

Ah, 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.

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, 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?

God save the queen!

God save the queen!

God save the queen!God save Papa!

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.

I have something for you.

I don't want
your stupid chocolate!

Bertie?

Bertie!

Ha, ha.

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

Well, 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, um...

What do you think
Lord Palmerston would say

if she married him?

Lord Palmerston?

No, you, you no longer care
what he thinks

now that he is not
foreign secretary anymore!

You betrayed me, Feodora.

Oh, 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 doing 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.

Mama.

I dreamt I was lost,
and I couldn't find you.

Are you going to stand here
every night?

I wanted to remember that
I had done... something right.

Albert, you've done so much.

Do you think it'll
make a difference?

I do.

It was a day
to live forever.

And I could not have done it
without you.

Oh, nonsense.

I did everything I could
to stop you.

Not when it mattered.

No.

Are you all right?

All right.

Just tired.

How beautiful you look
tonight.

This is where we stood
when you...

Proposed.

You were so nervous.

I was.

It was the biggest decision
of my life.

Was it the right one?

Albert?

Albert!

Albert!

Albert!

Albert!

Albert!