Life after birth

VICTORIA | ITV 9PM

The sound of the Queen’s screams rings out through the palace as she goes into labour again, and eventually the household welcomes the new Prince of Wales. Prince Albert is besotted with his son, but after a difficult birth, Victoria is withdrawn and struggling to bond.

“Babies are so easy to love,” counsels her oh-so-sage mother, but strangely enough this pearl of wisdom fails to lift the mood, and Victoria is reluctant to commit to public engagements. But then Mr Peel brings urgent news that requires her presence…

It doesn’t help that Albert is called away to Coburg after a family bereavement, although Albert has his own problems as uncomfortable truths come to light. In his absence, he instructs Lehzen to find out who has been leaking private palace information – which puts Skerrett in a panic.