Princess Victoria of Kent is the heir presumptive to the British throne during the reign of her uncle King William IV and is subject to a political tug of war for influence over her. On one side is her mother, the Duchess of Kent, and the comptroller of the Duchess's household, Sir John Conroy, who tries to force Victoria to sign papers declaring a regency and giving him and her mother power. On the other side is her uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium, who wishes to use his influence through family ties to secure an alliance between the United Kingdom and Belgium. He decides to have his nephew Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha charm and marry Victoria, and he has Albert be coached in her likes and dislikes. The Duchess invites the Coburg brothers, Albert and Prince Ernest of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, to visit the household. Victoria and Albert develop an early fondness for each other, despite Victoria knowing that their uncle sent Albert to win her favours. They begin writing to one another after Albert returns home.