As Peel fights the battle of his career in Parliament, facing the consequences of taking a stand against the Corn Laws, Albert inadvertently plays into the hands of Peel's critics, and jeopardises the progress that they have fought for. Meanwhile, at the Palace, the strained relationship between Victoria, Albert and Victoria's closest confidante, Lehzen, is pushed to breaking point, as Albert grows increasingly frustrated about the control that he perceives Lehzen to have over his wife, especially when the health of their children is at stake. Faced with the prospect of having to live without their respective crutches, Victoria and Albert begin to lose sight of each other. But when tragedy strikes, they realise that sacrifices will have to be made in both their personal and political lives.