The Royal Bed

Princess Anne confides that she plans to run away with Freddie Granton, the commoner secretary to her father. She hopes to escape before her domineering mother returns and royal plans for her life are sealed. The plan hinges on Queen Martha's absence so Anne can slip away.

The Marquis of Birten announces that Anne's political marriage is arranged to Prince William of Grec. Anne vehemently protests the match, feeling trapped by royal protocols. The Queen is delighted by the alliance, while the King remains ineffectual in resisting the arrangement.

The Premier and General Northrup warns that a revolution is brewing and lashes out against the King's position. He pushes for the execution of many political prisoners, insisting the move will quell dissent. The King needs his signature, but delays; The Queen approves the stern measures, and the King promises to attend to it but ends up misplacing the death warrants.

Led by Laker, the rebels rise up after Parliament grants Northrup dictatorial powers. The uprising signals a rapid breakdown of royal authority in the capital.

Anne seizes the opportunity to flee with Granton, aided by her father's approval. She begins to depart the palace with her lover, seeking safety away from unwanted royal pressure. However, when she believes the King is truly in danger, she resolves not to abandon him and halts the escape.

Doctor Fellman, a moderate rebel leader, visits the King to demand his abdication and an end to the fighting. He then agrees to pause the conflict in favor of negotiations, hoping to steer a peaceful settlement.

Northrup insists he is in charge now and laughs at the King's claim that the people are stronger than his army and navy. The power grab tightens the fracture between the monarchy and the rebels. The clash between civilian rule and military authority grows more intense.

Prince William arrives and admits that he dislikes Anne, yet he is prepared to fulfill his duty and go through with the wedding. He steels himself for an arranged alliance, despite personal misgivings. The royal audience prepares for the formal tie that would seal his alliance with Grec.

Fellman and Laker arrive, adding to the mounting pressure on the crown and highlighting the factions within the rebellion. The King must contend with both revolutionary and reformist forces as negotiations loom.

The King dismisses Northrup from service and places Fellman in charge, signaling a pivot toward negotiation and reform. He orders general elections to be held as soon as possible to reestablish parliamentary legitimacy.

The Queen returns from America with a much-needed loan and privately tells her husband that she knew the whole revolution was a bluff to force Northrup from power. The confession reveals the depth of the Crown's strategy behind the upheaval.

After the Queen leaves for the wedding, the King has Granton brought to him, and he speedily marries Anne to Granton. The couple is sent into exile in France, ending Anne's bid for independence and altering the royal succession.