On the death of her uncle King William IV in 1837, a young, 18-year-old Princess Victoria becomes queen. Before long, gossip erupts over her closeness to Lord Melbourne.
Lord Melbourne's resignation as Prime Minister leaves Victoria devastated. Reluctantly, she invites someone else to form a new government.
When Victoria's uncle Leopold proposes Albert as a husband, other suitors also swoop in, desperate to win the Queen's hand in marriage.
Prince Albert immediately puts Victoria on the defensive, but despite her protestations of indifference, she struggles to hide her true feelings.
When Victoria's efforts to secure Albert a settlement are rejected by parliament, both she and her fiancé start to fear for their future together.
The royal couple's blissful happiness is threatened when Albert is publicly humiliated by the Duke of Sussex.
The shock of Victoria's pregnancy is compounded when she is forced to consider who will be regent.
A heavily pregnant Victoria attempts to preserve her independence - until a threat to her life leaves her in fear and she clashes with Albert.
New mother Victoria is impatient to return to the business of ruling a nation, while Albert attempts to protect her from bad news in Afghanistan.
Victoria realises that she is pregnant again, and her equilibrium is threatened by Albert's burgeoning friendship with female mathematician Ada Lovelace.
Discontent is growing in the country, and Victoria decides to hold a ball in a misguided attempt to help the silk weavers of Spitalfields.
Despite giving birth to a healthy Prince of Wales, Victoria finds herself paralysed by an inexplicable sorrow. Meanwhile, a tragedy in Coburg plunges Albert into his own torment.
The Queen decides to try her hand at foreign relations, and takes the royal court on an adventure to France.
When news of the horrific famine in Ireland finally reaches the Queen, she is adamant that her government should be doing more to help.
Feeling suffocated by the weight of the crown, Victoria escapes with her court to the Scottish Highlands.
Victoria and Albert have to face their worst nightmare as parents, while Peel embarks on the ultimate battle in parliament. Then tragedy strikes.
Victoria and Albert have very different expectations for a family Christmas, and the arrival of a young African orphan at the Palace puts them at loggerheads.
Revolution sweeps across Europe and Victoria's half-sister arrives with the deposed French king, seeking refuge.
As the Chartists rise up, Victoria must decide whether to use violent force against her own people, while Albert is convinced the royal family must flee to the Isle of Wight.
The peace of Osborne House is disturbed when Palmerston makes waves in Westminster. There are even more fireworks when a frustrated Victoria summons him and Russell to the island.
Albert departs for Cambridge, having accepted a position as chancellor while a reception for foreign diplomats is interrupted by the news of a cholera outbreak.
Victoria plans to visit Ireland, confronting the divisions within her people alongside her marriage. Meanwhile, scandalous secrets emerge at the Palmerston estate.
Emotions run wild when the Palace throws an opulent Georgian Ball, and Victoria's status as Queen is threatened.
Victoria and Albert are far apart, whilst Albert plans an ambitious exhibition. Palmerston calls for action to restore the dignity of British subject, Don Pacifico.
The world's eyes are on the Great Exhibition - and the royal couple. Lives will be changed forever as intrigue unfolds amongst the exhibits.
