The Mudlark

A young homeless orphan named Wheeler discovers a cameo depicting Queen Victoria. Unaware of her significance, he is told that she is the 'mother of all England'. This inspires him to undertake a journey to Windsor Castle to see the Queen himself.

Wheeler manages to sneak into Windsor Castle, where he is initially spotted by Kate Noonan, a sympathetic maid. Before she can escort him out, he hides when the Queen enters the dining room, and eventually falls asleep during the meal, revealing his presence through his snoring.

Wheeler is discovered by John Brown, a confidant of Queen Victoria. Although frightened, Wheeler is shown to not be part of any conspiracy against the Queen, leading Brown to take him on a tour of the castle and even encourage him to sit on the throne.

Authorities quickly catch up and take Wheeler into custody for interrogation. Due to suspicion, he spends Christmas in the Tower of London, with wild rumors spreading among the general public about his appearance.

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli speaks in Parliament, indirectly criticizing the Queen for her seclusion following her husband's death fifteen years earlier. He hopes to persuade her to re-engage with her subjects and end her withdrawn state.

The Queen becomes infuriated upon hearing Disraeli's words and confronts him directly. Despite Brown's encouragement to become more accessible, she initially refuses to rejoin public life, maintaining her distance from her subjects.

When Wheeler returns and interacts with the Queen, she is genuinely moved by his innocence and curiosity. This encounter prompts her to reconsider her stance and eventually step back into public life to connect with her people.

Lady Emily Prior and Lieutenant Charles McHatten, a Guards officer, are secretly in love. The Queen opposes their relationship due to McHatten's lower social standing, but they attempt to elope twice despite being called away each time on matters related to Wheeler.

After multiple failed attempts, the Queen finally relents and permits Lady Emily and McHatten to marry. Their third attempt at elopement is successful, symbolizing her softened stance and support for their union.

Wheeler's innocent visit and subsequent interactions serve as a catalyst for Queen Victoria to re-engage with her subjects. Her genuine emotional response to Wheeler leads her to reconsider her earlier seclusion, welcoming more public appearances.