16 Times Victoria Made Us Wish History Didn’t Happen

Photo: ITV

History is Overrated Anyway

Sure, history says that Queen Victoria has to marry Prince Albert. And it also says they have to have nine kids and a generally happy marriage, right up until he passes away and plunges his wife into a lifelong depression. That’s what happened, so theoretically, that’s what a story called Victoria should be about. But let’s be real, that story has already been told. It had Judi Dench in it! It was great! Judi Dench is awesome!

But, hey, we saw that movie. And if we want real history, we can read a book. History happened already, so why not let us have this. At least for a little while? We all already know what happens with Albert, and sure, that’s probably going to great. Whenever we get there. But for now, Lord Melbourne is standing right there.

Sure, perhaps in real life, Lord M wasn’t nearly as dreamy as this version, but if we’re going to blatantly alter various pieces of Victorian history why not just go all out? This isn’t Planet Earth. It’s fiction. So why not just go ahead and squeeze in a quick affair between the young queen and her super supportive, incredibly dishy Prime Minister. It’s not like it’s hurting anything. History is still the same as it ever was. It’s still the story you can go back to, afterward. Just…after we get to watch this other, less historically accurate story for a while.

And, to be fair, the more historically inaccurate story actually manages to explore some interesting issues in its own right. Sure, we may not know for certain that Victoria had a romantic interest in her Prime Minister. (Though some of us – cough cough me cough – may be swayed to this view by Victoria creator Daisy Goodwin’s insistence on the subject.) But this story isn’t only about a teenage girl with a fierce crush, as appealing as that may be. It’s also about a young queen struggling to find her feet. It’s about a young woman discovering her own voice. As much as anything else, Victoria needs a fierce advocate and friend like Melbourne, and their relationship is crucial to the rest of her life and reign. (If only we’d gotten to see more than a couple years’ worth of it though…)