The Mudlark

Queen Victoria, widowed now for 15 years, is still dealing with her grief and chooses to spend all of her time in the comfort of the reminders of Prince Albert at their castles, primarily Windsor Castle, in the process, refusing to make any more public appearances. Despite not believing that her seclusion behind castle walls affects her ability to reign, as Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli still has access to her, she was willing to abdicate if she ever thought otherwise, Disraeli does tell her that her not being in the public eye may jeopardize some public policy initiatives important to her. Meanwhile, orphaned, uneducated 10-year-old Wheeler lives as a mudlark on the banks of the Thames. While digging through the mud, he stumbles upon a cameo. It becomes his prized possession because the female portrait on it is the kindest, most motherly face he has ever seen. He doesn't even know who Queen Victoria is, when told that it is her portrait, so he becomes obsessed with seeing her in person. His attempts to see the reclusive Queen could effect not only what happens within the hallowed halls of Windsor Castle, but in the way Disraeli and the Queen work together for the good of their constituents.