Princess Beatrice made history in 2009 by becoming the first member of the British Royal Family to appear in a non-documentary film. She had a non-speaking cameo in The Young Victoria, a BAFTA-winning period drama about her great-great-great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, in which she portrayed one of the monarch's ladies-in-waiting.
A Star-Studded Production
The film was written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and produced by Martin Scorsese, Graham King, Timothy Headington, and Beatrice's mother, Sarah Ferguson. The cast included Emily Blunt as a young Victoria, Rupert Friend as Prince Albert, and Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Mark Strong, and Julian Glover.
Beatrice's Connection to the Role
It has been widely reported, though never officially confirmed, that Beatrice was named after Queen Victoria's daughter, born in 1857, making her role particularly fitting. Filming took place in 2007, and Beatrice attended the London premiere with her then-boyfriend Dave Clark, her mother Sarah, and her sister Princess Eugenie.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Reviews
The film holds a certified fresh score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans have praised it on IMDb, with one writing: "The Young Victoria is a heartfelt love story, but at the same time a great look into a major part of British History...I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! 10/10 ... no doubt!" Another said: "This is an absolutely stunning movie. It is visually beautiful - the scenery, the costumes and the sets. The music is wonderful, at times haunting, but memorable and perfectly suited to the movie." A third noted: "There have been so few movies this year as beautiful and tender as this film and it rates as one of 2009's best!"
