Rupert's romantic attraction

11 September 2008 11:36am

Rupert Friend revealed it was the romance of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria's relationship that attracted him to his latest project.

The 26-year-old British actor - boyfriend of Keira Knightley - is to play Albert opposite Emily Blunt as his queen in The Young Victoria, due out next year.

Asked why he chose the role Rupert said: "I thought it was probably the most romantic story I'd ever heard, and it was true and compelling.

"The idea of going behind the image of him that we all know, the mourning Victoria, the old lady in black, and going back to the girl attracted me. Then I started researching Albert and that's an unsung hero if ever there was one."

But Rupert became immediately cagey when asked if that's because he is a romantic at heart.

He snapped: "I think that's entirely irrelevant."

Rupert - who met Keira when they co-starred in a film adaptation of Pride And Prejudice - is next seen playing a Nazi soldier alongside David Thewlis in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.

© The Press Association