It’s easy to forget that Queen Victoria ascended to the thrown just a few weeks past her eighteenth birthday. Her image has always been the dour older woman living in seclusion from her subjects, dressed in mourning black for her husband Albert who died at age 42 from typhoid fever. Victoria was a widow longer than she was a married woman. The film Mrs. Brown portrayed that time in Victoria’s life and very much sealed that image of the Queen.

A new film The Young Victoria aims to change that image by telling the story of the young Queen and her love affair with her husband Albert. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee with a screenplay by Julian Fellowes, Oscar winner for Gosford Park, the trailer for the film is now online. It can be seen below, courtesy of the film’s official website. The film is a lush costume drama populated by some very fine actors including Emily Blunt, The Devil Wears Prada, plays the youthful Victoria. Rupert Friend, Pride and Prejudice, plays the love of her life Prince Albert and Paul Bettany as PM Lord Melbourne, Jim Broadbent as Victoria’s uncle King William IV and Miranda Richardson as her mother.

There’s a feature article about the film at The Telegraph which goes into depth about how the film came about and some interesting info about the genesis of the film, casting, production etc. The choice to humanize the Queen, to show the challenges and joys of her early life will appeal to an audience that loves period films, but it might also cross over to a younger audience who will find the love story irresistible.

The film is produced by Martin Scorsese, Graham King, Tim Headington and Sarah Fergusen, yes that Sara Fergusen, the Duchess of York, who knows a bit about being a Royal. The Young Victoria will open on March 6. Have a look at the trailer below, followed by 30 photos from the film.

Source: TheYoungVictoria.co.uk