In 1838, at the age of 18, young princess Alexandrina's life is transformed when she ascends the throne of Great Britain and becomes Queen Victoria. As monarch in her own right, the young Victoria suddenly finds herself freed of the repressive shackles placed on her by her mother's advisor, Conroy, and builds a new alliance with the charismatic prime minister Lord Melbourne. However, her inexperience makes her susceptible to mistakes - and ultimately scandal.