'Victoria' Season 1: 'The Clockwork Prince' Recap

Previously on Victoria: The queen’s Uncle Leopold, the King of Belgium, comes to visit. He and Victoria’s mother immediately start campaigning for Victoria to get married. As for the queen, she’s not terribly interested in any of her current suitors, largely because she’s pretty much head over heels for Lord Melbourne. But, when she confesses her feelings for him, he does the noble thing and rejects her, putting his duty to England first. Though Lord M later backhandedly confirms that he shares Victoria’s romantic attachment, the young queen remains convinced that she will never be happy. But King Leopold has surreptitiously invited his nephew Albert to come to England for a visit, against the queen’s wishes.

This week, we finally meet Prince Albert. But the show may have waited just a bit too long to introduce the famous love of Victoria’s life. Not only have we all already developed crushes on Lord Melbourne (and the swoon-worthy Rufus Sewell) in the meantime, but his initial arrival kind of said “rude jerk” more than “perfect prince”.  Will Albert acquit himself a little better this week?

Welcome to England, Albert. We pick up right where we left off, with Albert dramatically arriving at Victoria’s court just in time to turn the page for her while she’ s playing piano. They immediately hit it off in that way that that’s actually more like loathing, but is meant to indicate that their initial dislike of each other really hides attraction. Albert’s brother Ernest has also come along with him, and he’s much more charming, if you ask me. Or at least knows enough not to insult the queen’s piano playing ability and knowledge of art to her face.