Victoria (TV Series)

A Coburg Quartet (2019)

John Sessions: Lord John Russell

Quotes 

• [Victoria is horrified and embarrassed that private sketches of her at home bathing her children and playing with her dogs are now being sold on the street. Now she has discovered that a new coin, bearing her portrait and already in circulation, omits the standard wording "Dei Gratia"] 

  Victoria : "Dei Gratia". "By the grace of God". It's on *every* coin. Every coin, Prime Minister, except this one. I hear they're calling it "the Godless florin". First the etchings and now this.

  Lord John Russell : Rest assured, ma'am, we will make sure that this error is corrected.

  Victoria : Corrected? It's too late. The damage has been done.

  Lord Palmerston : May I speak frankly, ma'am?

  Victoria : You don't usually ask my permission before telling me something I don't want to hear.

  Lord Palmerston : I think these pictures have done you the power of good.

  Victoria : Oh, what on earth do you mean?

  [Palmerston shows Victoria a framed copy of a picture that he has just bought] 

  Lord Palmerston : This cost me a shilling. Do you think the people are buying these in order to laugh at them? Every time you have a child, the nation rejoices, ma'am. But they also wonder how much your burgeoning family is going to cost them. You *did* say I could speak frankly. These etchings, these trivial domestic scenes, they remind your subjects that you're not some remote Olympian being, but rather a woman who bathes her children and loves her dogs.

  Victoria : And that's... desirable?

  Lord Palmerston : Do you want me to tell you the secret of *my* popularity, ma'am? I am a Viscount. But when the people see me at the races or at a prize fight, they just see a fellow who likes a flutter. Just as they do.

  Victoria : And you don't think that familiarity breeds contempt?

  Lord Palmerston : [looking round at the opulence of the palace]  Is *this* familiar to your subjects, ma'am? But a baby and a dog... that, they understand.

  [Victoria considers what he has said] 

  Victoria : You may be right. But the coin... The coin is unforgivable. Who is responsible?

  [Russell and Palmerston look embarrassed] 

  Victoria : I'm asking you, Prime Minister, who is responsible?

  Lord John Russell : If you remember, ma'am, the Prince took responsibility for the design of the florin. It would be most unfortunate were his involvement to become known. Especially now he is suing the printer of the etchings.

  [Victoria looks shocked]