Victoria

I think it only goes up to the birth of her first child Iam64 so she may not get fat - only pregnant!

There are thousands of pages of diaries, it would be impossible to read them all, but dipping in would be quite interesting I think.

Alexandrina Victoria was born May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace, London, to Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III, and Princess Marie Luise Victoria of Saxe-Coburg. She was christened a month after her birth and was named after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I, but was always called Victoria. Her parent’s marriage and her birth were the result of a succession crisis that arose near the end of the reign of George III upon the death of the only legitimate child of the Prince of Wales, (the future George IV and Prince Regent for his insane father). William, second in the line of succession, did not have any children who survived infancy.
britishheritage.com/queen-victoria

What an interesting discussion here, no unpleasant competitive arguments just well informed and genuinely interested debate.

I'm with Jalima's summary and analysis of Victoria. I found myself thinking of Dianna as I watched last night. She was also damned by powerful men, e.g. Nicholas Soames, but she had all the usual derogatory names used for uppity women thrown at her, including hysterical, unstable etc.

I'm not suggesting that either Victoria or Dianna were perfect human beings but I've yet to meet such a person.

Jenna Coleman is a good actor and I agree with others, she is probably far to pretty/attractive to play Victoria. It will be interesting to see how the makeup/fat suits work.

I welcomed the reference to slavery and the problems with abolition and hope we get much more of Victorian history. It's such a fascinating and exciting period, so much happened that leaves a real legacy for all of us. Links with Pakistan/India and cotton in my area, alongside many many other influences.

I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Have read several books about Victoria. I love the Victorian era and because her reign was so long she presided over a Britain that was constantly changing. Particularly love the fact that this was the first monarch who was photographed, I really like looking at the family groups with the children, quite delibertately posed, escpecially after the death of Albert to all look miserable.

Some historians speculate that maybe Sir John Conroy was in fact her biological father, I disagree having googled portraits of the Duke of Kent, her resemblance to him is striking, same rather fleshy face and bulbous eyes.

Jenna Colman, whilst being a perfectly good actress,I think she may go far, but is, as others have stated, far too pretty to play her. Jalima I really agree with your comment, Beatrice is strikingly like a picture I have seen of Victoria as a young woman.

I haven't read the diaries, jalima, but watching this programme has renewed my interest in her, so I may well put something bio/autobiographical on my birthday wish list.

And, yes, she had such a long reign that it must be difficult to make an accurate portrayal of her at various stages in her life.

And she wasn't born knowing she'd be queen, did she? Cant remember quite how she came to inherit the throne.

Her diaries and all her letters and papers were heavily edited by Beatrice after her death, she removed and destroyed anything she thought might be embarrassing. Such as an account of Albert putting on her stockings and of her watching him shave. Too naughty for her daughter!

I understood that the Victoria of later years - as most people think of her - was quite different to the young Victoria.

Yes the actress playing her is probably prettier, but she wasn't fat and that plain at 18. Having 9 children in 13 years would have had some effect on her figure and, at less than 5 feet tall, it must have been very difficult to keep a check on her weight.
Losing the love of her life at such a young age probably sent her into a spiral of depression, for which there would have been no medication in those days.

After such a repressed childhood, becoming Queen at such a young age without proper preparation must have been like a schoolgirl let out of the convent - only with all that power!

Have you read her diaries, gettingonabit? Of course, that is seeing things just from her perspective but they could be fascinating.

I like history but only saw a bit and didn't want to continue I think Gettingonabit is right she's not at all realistic as Victoria but it will appeal to many

I got fed up with it after about ten minutes. It may be historically accurate as someone upthread has pointed out, but it's way too "Hollywood" imho to be anything but a lightweight filler-in. The actress is waaay too pretty to play Victoria, who was always dumpy and plain afaik; and the whole thing seems lacking in any sort of nod to realism.

I've seen and read quite a lot about Victoria and her life, as have many others; apparently she was cruel to her children, selfish and hysterical as a person, and negligent as a monarch, particularly after Albert died.

It may appeal to those who like their historical drama Downtonised, however.

He is very watchable- but probably totally unsuitable for Lord M who was in his 60s and described as "very fat". Still why let reality get in the way of a story? However Vicky's life does seem to be turning into a soap opera!

Rufus ? I fell in love with him years ago in a TV version of Middlemarch. Those cheekbones! I will Google him later ( No, not an euphemism ). ?

See, he has turned my head so much I can't even get his name right! (just like Victoria's!)

Rufus, Rufus!

Poldark doesn't even come close!
Have always thought that Rupert Sewell is very sexy nice.

Oh Yes! Iam. I'm beginning to think Ross Poldark might have a rival

I'm enjoying it, good cast, great scenes (yes some background is computer generated but it's ok without my specs). Neversaydie - I'm hopeless with rodents, even mice and rats are my room 13. My response to them on tv wasn't quite as out of control as the young Queen when she saw them - but I did say ahhh and cover my eyes.
merlotgran, I'm sure your'e right about Rupert not riding perfectly but in every other way, I thought he was very watchable.

The rats in this evening's episode rather put me off

Thought it was ok will watch a few more wasn't she in emmerdale years ago if I remember rightly she was a friend of Debbie wanted to be more though !!

I don't think Albert is going to have the same appeal Teetime

Well I wasnt entranced it was all a bit Downton Abbey for me but any chance I get to watch Rufus Sewell is worth taking

I think she was very protected by her mother and her mother's 'friend' (although he was English) and brought up by her German governess. She must have spoken both languages fluently but I'm assuming that she and Albert spoke German to each other too?

HildaW I read somewhere today that the character she played in Dr Who had similarities to Queen Victoria (apart from the Royal bit) - young impetuous naive girl matures into determined young woman.

Ana Princess Beatrice is very much like Queen Victoria apart from having her mother's colouring!

f77ms loved Larkrise to Candleford because that is where my ancestors are from (and one distant cousin was the postmistress, her dad was the blacksmith!).

Yes she was, f77ms but her mother was German and apparently she was effectively brought up by a governess who spoke to her only in German until she was 3 years old. It seems German was spoken by many in the Royal household at the time.

The most realistic historical drama I have watched was `Larkrise to Candleford` The attitudes and manners were spot on .

I didn`t know that Ana , I thought she was born in England ?

I thought the crowd scenes looked very false, like in a theatre!

Victoria would have had a German accent in reality, but I suppose that would have taken a lot of people by surprise (I didn't know myself until I read it recently!)

I'm enjoying it, but did wonder about the modern 'throw-away' manner of speaking. To slow down and enunciate very deliberately obviously wouldn't work and would sound like parody. Perhaps it doesn't matter. For me, it would help to bring the time and manners to life.