The Young Victoria

Who Was Queen Victoria?

"She was a fun-loving princess who endured an unhappy childhood, enjoyed the attentions of some of the most prominent men of her day and, for all her breeding, retained the common touch."

The history books tell us that she was the ruler of the United Kingdom of Great Britain from 1837 to 1901. Her time in power was the longest of any ruler in British history and came to be known as the
Victorian Era. With this, we immediately conjure up all those images of a frumpy over-weight woman dressed in black; but soon, the upcoming motion picture, "The Young Victoria", will present a different view of this dynamic British monarch. "The Young Victoria" will chronicle the early and often turbulent years, of a young girl who became queen of Great Britain. Victoria was a young girl of barely 18 when she was crowned, vivacious, fond of parties, and prone to flirting with the gentlemen of the court, and even her ministers. The film will focus on her storied romance and legendary marriage to Prince Albert. Martin Scorsese [American] and Graham King [British] have teamed-up again [The Departed, The Aviator and Gangs of New York] to retell the story of this famous queen with a little help from the outspoken Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. Graham King told Variety Magazine, "We all think we know Queen Victoria from the latter part of her life, but in fact she was an amazing, dynamic, romantic personality from a very early age that is largely unknown. I had been searching for a British project for many years so I am just thrilled to bring her story to life." Although no names have signed yet, "The Young Victoria" will be a prestige production with a big-budget and big stars. Scorsese will co-produce.

Photo by Liam Daniel

Andrew Roberts, the historian and broadcaster who has written extensively on the period, said: "This revision is long overdue. The character of the elderly widow dressed from head to toe in bombazine black is a travesty. When young, she was lovely, charming, humorous and passionate."

The film begins in 1836, the year before Victoria ascended the throne, and ends in 1840. Princess Victoria is portrayed as having no time for the pomposities of court life - playfully bathing her dog within hours of being crowned and dancing down a corridor after surviving her first privy council meeting.

Controversially, however, the movie will claim that as a child Victoria had been held under virtual house arrest by her scheming mother, the Duchess of Kent, who plotted to block Victoria's path to the throne so that she and the man she loved, Sir John Conroy, could become regents. Conroy is portrayed as the villain of the film. He was ambitious, clever, good-looking -- he totally controlled the duchess.

Prince Albert was purposefully chosen as a husband for Victoria over his less attractive older brother because it was known that Victoria was too much of a romantic and Albert was considered ideal for a woman who was determined to marry for love.

"What is interesting is that he fell for her completely. He came from a very dour German court and suddenly he was with this girl who was out for a good time. She loved dancing, music, riding."

Producer : Martin Scorsese [The Departed]

Producer : Graham King [The Departed]

Producer: Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson

Director : Jean-Marc Vallee [Black List, C.R.A.Z.Y.]

Screenwriter : Julian Fellowes [Vanity Fair, Gosford Park, Mary Poppins (Play)]

Victoria:
Emily Blunt, of "Summer Of Love", "The Devil Wears Prada," will star as the young Victoria. Emily Blunt has decided that her Queen Victoria won't be rigid and unsmiling - she'll be a wild child who, behind the scenes, lets her hair down.

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Prince Albert:
Rupert Friend of "Pride And Prejudice," "The Libertine," "Outlaw," will play Victoria's husband, Prince Albert.

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Duchess of Kent:
Miranda Richardson of "Tom & Viv", "Damage" and "Fred Claus" will play the Duchess of Kent, Victoria's mother.

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King William:
Jim Broadbent of "Iris" and "Indiana Jones 4" will play King William IV, Victoria's uncle, whose 1837 death paved the way for his niece Victoria to accede to the throne.

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Sir John Conroy:
Mark Strong, of "Syriana", will play the devious Sir John Conroy, a man rumored to have been Queen Victoria's real father.

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Lord Melbourne:
Paul Bettany, of "A Beautiful Mind", "The Knight's Tale" and "The Da Vinci Code", will play the adviser who helped Britain's Queen Victoria learn about government and politics.

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King Leopold of Belgium:
Thomas Kretschmann of "King Kong" will play young Victoria's uncle. Kretschmann most recently completed shooting the Angelina Jolie starrer 'Wanted' and has been cast in Bryan Singer's 'Valkyrie' starring Tom Cruise.

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Lady-in-Waiting:
Genevieve O'Reilly, who played the title role in "Diana: Last Days of a Princess", will play one of Victoria's ladies-in-waiting.

Princess Beatrice, who is fifth in line to the throne, will appear in "The Young Victoria." Beatrice, 19, will have a non-speaking role in scenes showing her great-great-great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria's coronation. Beatrice will have her gown specially fitted and make-up checked by Academy Awardwinners Sandy Powell and Jenny Shircore.

You Want Me to Film Where??

Producer Graham King admits that for a while he was under budgetary pressure to do some location shooting abroad, but he was adamant that the film would be shot in Britain.

"You can't shoot a film about a great queen of England in bloody Budapest or Bucharest - or at least I can't. Audiences aren't stupid. They travel, so they know an Eastern European landscape when they see one," King insisted.

Filming begins next month on locations all over the UK, and Fergie has been vital in helping executives to meet with officials responsible for Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle. Director Jean-Marc Vallee wants to shoot portions of the film there. Westminster Abbey is on the list of desired locations. Permission has already been granted to shoot some of the movie at Blenheim Palace, Arundel Castle and Belvoir Castle.

The Young Victoria will be filmed on location in England and at Shepperton Studios during a 10 week shoot. Many of England's famous estates and landmarks will be featured.

Photo by Chris

Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Sandy Powell has won 2 Oscars for "The Aviator" and "Shakespeare in Love," plus another 6 wins and 21 nominations.

Victoriana Magazine is a free online publication for all who love the Victorian Era. It is a vibrant and inspiring magazine that cuts through the complexities of modern life to illustrate what was beautiful in the past.

Victoriana Magazine transforms the internet into an online time-machine focusing on the decorative arts and lifestyles during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) with articles from both current experts and Victorian era publications. This free online magazine provides ideas, inspiration and information on Victorian fashion, decorating, remodeling, entertaining, holidays, history and more. Each illustrated issue contains a special crafts section, children's corner, plus the latest museum exhibits.

See Victoriana Magazine online now!

Read about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's wedding, including details of her wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses. Find info HERE!

Queen Victoria's Not So VICTORIAN Writings

Illustrated article about what Queen Victoria really thought about pregnancy, children, marriage and men.

An extensively illustrated site featuring Victorian holiday entertaining, gift giving and decorating ideas and fun from over 100 years ago. Find a plum pudding recipe, Victorian Christmas crafts, Christmas decorations, Christmas ornaments, Christmas tree, and Christmas cards. This is a great place to show today's children how magical Christmas can be.
Celebrate Here!

1819 - Victoria, daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent and Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield, is born at Kensington Palace on May 24th.
1837 - On June 20th, Victoria, at age 18, becomes Queen of England, succeeding her uncle William IV.
1837 - Prince Albert writes a letter to his cousin, the Queen of England.
1838 - Victoria is crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 28th.
1840 - Marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on February 10th.
1840 - Princess Victoria is born - first child.
1841 - Prince Albert Edward Wettin is born - second child and future King of England.
1842 - Attempted assassination of Queen Victoria.
1843 - Princess Alice Maude Mary is born - third child.
1844 - Prince Alfred Ernest Albert is born - fourth child.
1846 - Princess Helena Augusta Victoria is born - fifth child.
1848 - Princess Louise Caroline Alberta is born - sixth child.
1850 - Prince Arthur William Patrick is born - seventh child.
1851 - Great Exhibition opens in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park.
1853 - Prince Leopold George Duncan is born - eighth child.
1857 - Princess Beatrice Mary Victoria is born - ninth child.
1857 - Parliament gives Albert the title of Prince Consort.
1861 - Prince Albert dies of typhoid fever at age 42.
1863 - Edward, Prince of Wales, marries Alexandra of Denmark.
1877 - Victoria becomes Empress of India.
1887 - Queen Victoria celebrates her Golden Jubilee, 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
1897 - Queen Victoria celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
1901 - The death of Queen Victoria at Osborne House, Isle of Wight on January 22nd. She was 81.

The mid-nineteenth century lady was a vision of elegance and grace in beautiful gowns lavishly trimmed with frills, flounces, lace, braid, fringe, ruche and ribbons. The fashion conscious Victorian lady created this appearance with a mysterious combination of the "uncomfortable and inconvenient" with the "frivolous and decorative." Numerous heavy petticoats, layers of underclothes, metal hoops, tight corsets under-pointed boned bodices of whalebone and steel were hidden by an array of ornately accented undersleeves, collars, pelerines, fans, gloves, hats, and parasols. The finished look was of elegance and grace with an illusion of ease and comfort.


Read More!

The Victorian crinoline, or hoop-skirt, was a vital accessory worn under the expansive mid-1800s skirt.

Info & Images here.

A Victorian Ball

It was in the ballroom that Victorian society was on its best behavior. Read this illustrated article about the proper etiquette for a 19th century ball.







19th Century Dance Instruction

You know how to dress for a Victorian Ball, but do you know how to dance? Watch these videos.

Men's
Clothing 1840s

Colorful fashion prints showing men's clothing from
the 1840s, the first 10 years of Victoria and Albert's marriage.