Sir Robert Peel and confidant Albert worry about upstart French king Louis Philippe betrothing his adult crown prince son to the Spanish infanta Isabel, which could upset the European balance of power, while Leopold wants her to marry another Coburg prince. Against diplomatic advice, Victoria decides to attempt an 'agreement among monarchs'. While she is charmed by the French fashionable fringe, which Albert abhors, albeit it far less than the xenophobic Duchess of Buccleuch, he is pleasantly puzzled by the presence of his brother, now the Duke of Coburg. Albert flees the debauchery of the royal summer residence with Lord Alfred Paget and Peel's man Drummond to enjoy a British boys swim in the nude. Louis Philippe tries to avoid the matter of state but finally seems to agree with Albert's proposal to avoid conflict by keeping the Spanish dynasty neutral, yet breaks that promise by the time the delegation returns to London.
—KGF Vissers