All language subtitles for The.Crown.S01E06

(SOFT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(FANFARE PLAYS)

COMMENTATOR: More than half a million
people pack Epsom to bursting point.

And now, to watch the Coronation Derby,
comes Her Majesty the Queen.

Her car, bearing the Royal Standard,

moves slowly down the course
from Tattenham Corner.

Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh,

the Queen waves acknowledgement
to the welcoming cheers.

The crowds pour their appreciation
for the dashing, handsome couple,

a symbol of a new era.

PETER: Half a million people.

At a racecourse.

Thanks to the coronation, your sister
is now the most famous woman in the world.

Yes.

But I'm the luckiest.

- And on our romantic trip to Rhodesia...
- Official duty in Rhodesia.

- (CHUCKLES)...with the man I love...
- Secretly love.

...I will be the happiest.

(COMMENTARY CONTINUES
IN BACKGROUND)

(KEYS CLACKING)

I've got a story, chief. It's important.

As long as it's not about the Royal Family,
Bill, I'm all ears.

It is about the Royal Family, chief.

Ah, let me guess, how,
thanks to one beautiful young woman,

one short televised ceremony...

Oh, thank you, Bob.

A tired anachronistic institution
is rejuvenated,

a nation is liberated
from the austerity of rationing and war,

our place as a leading power in the world
is re-established

just when it seemed to be slipping.
What a load of bollocks.

- MAN: Snifter?
- I shouldn't.

- Oh, go on. It's nearly lunchtime.
- WOMAN: Papers, sir.

- Thanks, Mary.
- MARY: My job.

- It's Princess Margaret.
- What about her?

Leaving the Abbey
on the day of the coronation,

I saw her picking a piece of fluff
off a man's uniform.

- Fluff?
- Yes. Fluff.

Jesus, Bill,
I thought we did serious reporting here.

This is serious. 'Cause the man in question,
her father's former equerry,

Group Captain Peter Townsend,
is a commoner,

and, wait for it, a divorced commoner.

Historically,
when this lot brush up against divorce,

you end up with either reformation,
or abdication.

Will church and state clash again?
It's a big story.

So are Comet jet planes
dropping out of the sky,

Stalin's death ushering in a power reshuffle
in the Soviet Union.

Let me write it up, chief.
I've got a feeling about this one.

Based on what?

What are you doing, man?

Picking fluff off a man's jacket,
that's a gesture as intimate as a kiss,

more intimate, since it suggests
the kiss has already happened.

No. I'm sorry, Bill.
I can't hold the front page for a bit of fluff.

Let me write it, chief. Then you decide.

All right.

Make sure it's peppery.

- Make sure it pops.
- Yes, sir!

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Switchboard.
Good morning, Your Royal Highness.

Good morning.
I would like to speak to my sister, please.

One moment, please.

- WOMAN: London.
- Buckingham Palace, please.

- Victoria 48, 32.
- WOMAN: Hold the line.

MAN: Buckingham Palace, good morning.

WOMAN: Go ahead, please.

MAN: I have Her Royal Highness
the Princess Margaret for Her Majesty.

- Certainly, sir.
- Thank you.

Can you hold the line?

Sir, Princess Margaret for Her Majesty.

Thank you.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello?

I have Her Royal Highness
the Princess Margaret, for Her Majesty.

Yes, sir, breakfast room.

- The breakfast room.
- MAN: Yes, sir.

- (TELEPHONE RINGING)
- (KNOCKING)

Telephone call for you, ma'am.

- ELIZABETH: Yes?
- (CLEARS THROAT)

Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret,
Your Majesty.

Thank you.

Hello, you.

Hello, you.

So, I was wondering
if you had a free evening soon

where we all might have dinner together.

- Before I go to Rhodesia.
- I'm sure I do.

Thursday? Mummy's out.

I'd have to check.

- Lovely.
- And, who's "us all"?

You, and me, and Philip and, um...

And I would like to bring Peter if I may?

What, "Peter" Peter?

Yes, Peter.

- Oh.
- What does that mean, "Oh"?

Nothing. "Oh," how nice.

There's something
we'd like to discuss with you.

Oh?

There you go again.

Sorry. Am I going to be given a clue?

No.

Oh.

- Stop it.
- Sorry.

- So, Thursday evening, then? You'll check?
- Fine.

It will be such fun.

Lovely.

Lovely.

(GIGGLES)

(HANGS UP PHONE)

Oh.

Here we are.

- Sir.
- Lovely, thank you.

(LAUGHTER)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

MAN 1: What's your name then, my darling?
MAN 2: Thank you, gentlemen, thank you.

- Thank you very much, gentlemen.
- (ALL EXCLAIMING)

You're too kind, you're too kind.

A special guest joins us this afternoon,

who's just returned from a year
in post-revolutionary Cairo

working as a photojournalist.

Our fellow lunch club member,
Tony Longdon.

- All night, Longdon!
- (ALL CHEERING)

Thank you, chaps,
it's very nice to be back, I must say.

Ladies, might we close the shutters, please?

(ALL EXCLAIM)

(LAUGHTER)

MAN: Lovely!

I am, as Baron says,
fresh from the streets of Cairo,

and I'm still trying to digest
the hurricane of popular uprising,

violent military coup,
and revolution that I have just witnessed.

MAN: Bloody natives.

You all know King Farouk.
Colourful character.

- He owned more than 100 cars.
- MAN: Almost as much as me.

- Had them all painted red.
- MAN: Splendid.

He used to race them
through streets of Cairo,

shooting at any pedestrians
who happened to get in his way.

- Hear, hear!
- Peasant shoot!

(LAUGHTER)

Probably why he was forced
to abdicate last year.

And now, this man, Nasser,
is the name on everyone's lips.

He has the charisma to unite
not just his own country,

but the entire Arab world.

Stirring up anti-Western,
anti-monarchical sentiment.

This is Shepheard's.

A famous British hotel.
A symbol of colonial rule.

Before riots...

- MAN: God.
- ...and after.

That writing. What does it say?

"Death to the imperialists."

However, it's not all doom and gloom.

Mike, got something
a little special for you here.

(ALL CHEERING)

MIKE: Now, that's exactly
what I'm talking about.

- (TYRES SCREECHING)
- Whoo!

(LAUGHING)

- Give him a tip.
- Don't tell my wife.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Good tip.

- Where were you today?
- Nowhere.

Well, clearly somewhere,
but nowhere that would interest you.

It's a lunch club.

- Where?
- Soho.

Oh.

With just men.

Talking about women.

No. Talking about Egypt, if you must know,

and the revolution
that's just taken place there.

Along with the unrest in Croatia, Albania,
Montenegro, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Italy.

Please take note.

Yes, a little bit about the fairer sex
over coffee and the odd brandy.

What do you expect?
It's a gentlemen's lunch club.

- So, what's the guest list for tonight?
- Mmm. No one.

Just you, me, Margaret, and Peter.

What? "Townsend" Peter?

- Then why on Earth did we have to dress up?
- She insisted.

She wanted to make it a special occasion.

With him? Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

He's not been a naughty boy, has he?

I know as much as you do.

It will be fine.

Come on.

- We'd like to be left alone now.
- Yes, ma'am.

Just leave it.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

I asked you here tonight because

there is something
I wanted to discuss with you.

I think you already know that over the years,

with Peter being so much part of our family,
and away from his own so much,

a friendship has developed between us.

And then, ever since
Papa's death hitting me so hard,

and with your accession and coronation
and you being more and more occupied,

Peter has become almost
my sole companion, and I his.

And so, when his divorce came through
in December last year,

I suppose it was only natural that we both
started thinking about what kind of

future we might have together,

and we reached a decision in April, wasn't it?

Just before the coronation...

That, one day,

we wanted to...

Well, you know...

- Marry?
- (LAUGHS) Yes.

ELIZABETH: Goodness.

Well, of course, we're aware
of the complications and issues at stake.

Well, Lilibet, you've known for a while
about Peter and I.

This can't really be a terrible shock to you.

No, not at all.

It's wonderful.

- Is there anything you'd like to ask us?
- Does your wife know?

- No, ex-wife.
- She does. We had a frank conversation.

- There is no animosity.
- Good.

- And the boys?
- They know, and seem very happy.

So,

do I have your permission?

As Sovereign?

Oh.

Well...

Of course, I'll have to take advice

on the hows and wheres,
and all official matters,

but if it's what you desire...

More than anything in the world.

Well, then as your sister,
I'm never going to oppose it.

(GASPS) Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm so happy. I'm so happy.
Thank you.

Well, congratulations to the both of you.

(LAUGHS)

Thank you, sir.

I suppose it had better be "Philip"
from now on.

Thank you, sir. Philip.

PHILIP: You knew?

Not the extent of it.

But you didn't think to mention it?

I don't like it.

Any of it. For one thing,
it will create the most enormous scandal.

Nor do I believe in them as a couple.
He's too old for her.

And he had some sort of breakdown
during the war.

ELIZABETH: Now, that's all in the past.

Besides, that's why
he got on with my father so well.

- Not to mention the fact he's dull.
- He's not dull.

Desperately dull. I'm confident
I've met more interesting plants.

Not to mention,
it's a terrible thing to do to you.

Why?

Because of the position it puts you in
as a sister and as a Queen.

Has everyone forgotten
the catastrophe that was your uncle already?

- The situation's different.
- One party divorced, the other royal.

Sounds pretty similar to me.

That was 17 years ago.
The world has changed.

The rest of the world has.
Nothing changes in the Court of St James's.

Besides, we have a son and heir.

There's no realistic prospect
of Margaret becoming Queen.

And one can see the attraction.

In Peter?

Yes. He's a handsome war hero.

- Divorced war hero.
- And blameless in that divorce.

No. There's no such thing
as a blameless party in a divorce.

His wife had an affair with another man.

Because he was always around here,
sniffing around your sister.

- He was looking after my father.
- And sniffing around your sister. (LAUGHS)

Stop it.

Anyway, I thought you liked him.

Oh... Liked him? I mean, I respect him
for what he did in the war, certainly.

He plays bridge well. And he's a good pilot.

- And he's a good influence on Margaret.
- Is he?

If he were really a good influence,
he'd patch things up with his wife,

and leave Margaret well alone.

(TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACKING)

- Night, Bill.
- Good night.

BILL: "...potentially..."

- Good night, sir.
- Yeah.

This had better be good.

It is.

- (SIGHS) Bloody hell.
- You did say "peppery."

- Pepper is one thing. This is gelignite.
- I know.

- What are you doing?
- I can't run this without going upstairs.

- What?
- Don't look at me like that.

Live in the real bloody world
for a moment, will you?

Margery, hello, yes. Is he there?

Yeah, just for a few minutes.

This is not just inflammatory,
it breaks all the rules.

What rules, sir?

The unspoken rules of deference and respect

shown by the media to the Royal Family.

But surely, those rules changed

the moment
they invited television into the coronation.

That was their right, and a huge concession.

- To what?
- Popular interest.

Their interest also.

Look at their standing now,
it's never been higher.

The question we in the fourth estate
need to be asking ourselves is,

"Do we let ourselves be used,
or do we have our own independent voice?"

Don't get moralistic with me.

If we don't break this story,
do you think nobody else will?

I know there's plenty of others
sniffing around it, sir.

Thank you for letting me know.

Of course, Tommy,
thank you for understanding.

- I'm sorry.
- No, I'm sorry.

I imagine it must be difficult
being dictated to like that by an employee.

- I wasn't dictated to.
- Am I missing something?

You said this editor was telling you

what he was going to print
in your newspaper.

He is.
But I can't keep telling him what to write.

I thought that was the point
of owning a newspaper.

Look, I'm just trying to help you, Tommy.

I suggest you see this
for the kind gesture that it is.

What, that you are about to print an article

that will cause deep distress to senior,
let's be quite clear,

the most senior members
of the Royal Family?

That I'm warning you.
That I'm giving you the heads up.

I'm on my knees with gratitude.

(INFERNAL GALOP FROM ORPHEUS
IN THE UNDERWORLD PLAYS)

(CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)

(BOTH GIGGLE)

(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)

Stop.

Can you shut that?

- (MUSIC CONTINUES)
- (LAUGHTER)

Your Majesty.

A story is about to break in the press

identifying Peter Townsend not just
as the companion of Princess Margaret,

but as her likely future husband.

We understand
that the paper is to feature a profile

of Group Captain Townsend,

details of his marriage
and subsequent divorce,

along with an editorial
about other notable divorcees

to have been associated
with members of the Royal Family.

Should we deny it all?

With respect, ma'am, it's a little late for that.

This horse has already bolted.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Your Royal Highness?

(SIGHS)

Mmm?

Her Majesty the Queen for you,
Your Royal Highness. On the telephone.

Hello.

Hello, you. Bad time, good time?

(CHUCKLES) Good time. Always.

Look, I've been wracking my brain
about how I can best help you.

Now, you know that the Church of England

doesn't permit the remarriage
of divorced persons

if the husband or wife
of a former marriage is still alive.

Yes.

Well, I was just wondering
if you and Peter had considered Scotland.

- To live?
- No, for the wedding.

Why? Because it would be more low profile?

Well, actually,
I was thinking of legal reasons.

Marriage isn't regarded as a sacrament
in the Church of Scotland.

It is not as binding in the same way as here.

Meaning... Meaning we could
even get married in a church?

Well, I'd have to check, but I think so.

That would be so lovely.

Lilibet, thank you so much.

It would make my life a lot easier, too.

Sorry, Lilibet.

What for?

I think you're going to get a visit
from Mummy about all this.

I realise I'm not making anyone's life easy.

Yours especially.

But I'm determined to do this for you.

To give you what you want.

Thank you.

- I can't wait to tell Peter.
- I'd better go.

- Tommy.
- Your Majesty.

Mummy. This is a surprise.

I am a mother of two daughters
whom I love equally.

It seems that they each have problems
of equal size.

Obviously, we want Margaret to be happy,
to have the man she wants.

Yes.

But we must do everything in our power
to protect you as Queen.

- And as a sister.
- Protect me from what?

I've given Margaret my word,
and I'm determined to support her.

They can marry in Scotland,
where I'm not head of the church.

Your Majesty,
I fear the matter is more intricate.

Let's be quite clear.

If Margaret were to marry Peter,
it would be a scandal.

Don't mistake your current popularity
for long-term security.

Your uncle's affair and abdication
almost destroyed the Monarchy.

This could, too.

Tommy?

Ma'am, what do you know
about the Royal Marriages Act of 1772?

- George II?
- III, ma'am.

He had two younger brothers,
William and Henry.

Both of whom, I'm assuming,
made undesirable marriages.

One to an illegitimate shrew,
the other to a disreputable jade,

which caused an outrage
in parliament and the church.

Now, in response, George III
asked his Prime Minister, Lord North,

to rush through a Royal Marriages Act

to prevent any future wilful young prince

or princess from making an ill-advised
or disadvantageous match,

which might threaten
the integrity of the Royal house.

It decrees that until the age of 25,
any member of the Royal Family

must secure
the Sovereign's permission to marry.

- But?
- But not thereafter.

I see.

So, if Margaret were to wait
until after her 25th birthday,

she would be free to make any decision
she likes without your consent.

The important thing is,

it protects your relationship
with both church and government.

Well, I can see the advantages of that.
But what's in it for her?

Mummy, she's only 23.
What does she do in the meantime?

In the meantime, she and Peter wait.

Preferably, in separate countries.

What?

It's the only way to contain the story, ma'am.

(EXHALES)

MAN: Thank you, sir.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

(BRAKES SCREECH)

- MAN: Good morning, sir.
- Out of my way!

- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- TOMMY: Come.

ELIZABETH: Margaret!
MARGARET: No!

Margaret!

Just until your 25th birthday.
Then you would be free to do as you wish.

Look me in the eye and tell me.
Is it a posting, or is it a banishment?

It's a posting. I promise.

It's just a way of managing the story,
keeping it off the front pages.

- Not a heartless attempt to split us up?
- No, of course not.

Papa did the same for Philip and me.
He made us wait.

For three months. This is for two years.
Think of it. Two years.

Why did you even dangle Scotland
under my nose?

Sorry.

All right.

If I do this for you, will you promise me
that this banishment...

Posting.

This banishment won't start
until after our trip to Rhodesia?

You know how much
we've been looking forward to it.

You're going to deny us that as well?

It's the sensitivity of you two together.

The photographers.
It would overshadow everything.

But when you get back,
you'll have some time together.

Alone.

I promise you that.

PETER: They offered me Johannesburg.
I refused.

Then Singapore.

I refused that, too.

Then they came back with Brussels.

It's dreary, but at least it's close.

The whole thing feels like
a completely unnecessary,

- unjustifiable punishment.
- I know.

Perhaps your sister sensed that.

That is why
she's asked me to go to Northern Ireland.

What for?

To accompany her
on her trip to Belfast this week.

To put on a show of public approval.

That's something, I suppose.

Hmm.

No substitute for Rhodesia, though.

No one wanted Philip.

She dug her heels in,
got the man she wanted, didn't she?

She did.

We ought to head back.

- Come on.
- No, wait. Kiss me.

You know we won't be able to
back at the house.

(ENGINE ROARS)

- Your Majesty.
- Tommy.

Just to run through the order of the day.

- Yes.
- We'll be met at the airport

by the Governor of Northern Ireland,
Lord Wakehurst.

From there, we will be going
to the Belfast City boundary

to be met by
the Lieutenant of the City of Belfast.

After that, we will be presented to
the Lord Mayor, Alderman Percival Brown,

and the Town Clerk, Mr John Dunlop,

followed by a city luncheon at Civic Hall.

- The other way around, I think.
- Ma'am?

A civic luncheon at City Hall.

Hmm.

- Forgive me.
- Is everything all right?

I do hope it wasn't a mistake
inviting the Group Captain to join us.

You've never cared for him, Tommy.

No, I cared for him as long as he did his job,
and knew his place.

My father held him in high regard.

As a member of staff,
not as a member of the family.

He has been a good friend to us all.

Too good, I would argue.
And he let his wife go in the process.

He was innocent in that regard.

She left of her own accord.
And he's a wonderful father to those boys.

I'm just trying to manage
a difficult situation, ma'am.

As am I.

Sending him away
will break my sister's heart.

Hearts mend.

Was there anything else?

- No.
- Your Majesty.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER AND COMMENTARY)

COMMENTATOR:...bringing Her Majesty
the Queen on a visit to Northern Ireland.

Her Majesty now walks
towards 3-year-old Eileen Hall,

who presents her with a bouquet.

The Queen, who wears a coat of
vivid blue shantung with a matching hat,

finds herself sharing the limelight
with Group Captain Townsend,

who accompanies her on the tour.

The crowd get a last glimpse
of the Queen and her husband

before they begin the drive to City Hall.

En route, thousands pack the streets
to bid them welcome.

(CROWD CHEERING)

The royal couple are welcomed
onto Balmoral Showground,

where 4,000 ex-servicemen and women
are gathered

to pay tribute to their Sovereign.

Many Ulster schools
and youth organisations are represented,

and they all have a smile
and a wave for the Queen.

As London papers called once more today
for a statement from Buckingham Palace

to clarify the rumours of a romance
between Princess Margaret

and Group Captain Townsend,

newspaper editors from all over the world
sent their photographers

to scrutinise Townsend's face,
hoping for a clue.

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

The Queen can't be used to sharing the
limelight with a member of her household.

But the gathered crowds
certainly seem as interested

in Group Captain Townsend
as in Her Majesty.

- Turn it off.
- Certainly, ma'am.

The crowds had to jostle with members
of the press and television

for following the royal party's every move.

I brought him along to show my gratitude
for his years of service

and to support my sister.

And I had hoped that attention
on Margaret and Peter would fade away.

But I could barely hear myself speak today.

- The solution is an obvious one.
- Which is?

Bring forward the Group Captain's relocation
with immediate effect.

But that would mean him missing
his reunion with my sister in London.

And I gave her my word.

Well, sometimes best intentions
need to be reconsidered, Your Majesty.

You can always blame it on me.

No. Let's wait 24 hours.
Things might calm down tomorrow.

- WOMAN: Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty.

The Lambeg drummers, ma'am.
A special Orangemen's welcome.

- Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty.

- (DRUMMING)
- (CROWD CHEERING)

- (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)
- (DRUMMING CONTINUES)

REPORTER 1: Townsend?
REPORTER 2: Captain Townsend?

MAN 1: Townsend.
MAN 2: Captain.

(ALL CHEERING)

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)

May God give you wisdom, loyalty

and faithfulness.

And may the future bring peace,
contentment and true happiness

to the people of Northern Ireland.

(APPLAUSE)

(ALL CHEERING)

MAN 1: Townsend!
MAN 2: Townsend!

Townsend!

Do you have a moment, Lilibet?

Yes, of course.

I just wanted to apologise
for all the press attention.

And to thank you for inviting me along
in the first place.

I do appreciate the gesture.

It's the least I could do.

I regretted having to take you off
the Rhodesia trip.

Yes.
Margaret and I were so looking forward to it.

We have so many shared interests,
as you know,

we enjoy doing everything together.

We had hoped to find some time together
during her days off.

Walking, swimming, riding.

But not to be.

No.

Anyway, nice chatting.

Ma'am, if you wouldn't mind.

Just wondering if Her Majesty
has had time to think about the matter.

She has.

Take care of it, Tommy.
In whatever manner you see fit.

Yes, ma'am.

- (CROWD CHEERING)
- (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)

MAN 1: Thank you, Your Majesty.
MAN 2: Good night, sir.

Thank you so much, Peter.

Ma'am.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

TOMMY: Group Captain Townsend.

The "Man of the Moment."

Do come up.

Will you sit?

Following consultation
with the government, the Foreign Office,

and Her Majesty's press secretary,

the decision has been taken
to move forward your posting

to Brussels with immediate effect.

A car is waiting
to take you first to your apartment,

where you will pack,
and then directly to the airfield.

The plane for Brussels
leaves in just under three hours.

There was some concern
that that might not give you enough time,

but I felt sure that as a military man,
packing quickly

and unsentimentally
would come as second nature to you.

But that isn't what was agreed.

The agreement between
Margaret and Her Majesty the Queen,

with the certain knowledge
of Her Majesty the Queen Mother,

was that Margaret and I
were to spend some time together

upon her return from Rhodesia,

before I travelled to Brussels.
Forty-eight hours at least.

Your proposal is a direct contravention
of that agreement.

Well, I cannot, nor would I ever presume
to know the intimate details

of whatever agreements have
or have not been made within the family.

What I can tell you is that the position
of air attaché at the embassy fell vacant

unexpectedly early
and needs filling right away.

Of course, a crucial position

like the air attaché
to the embassy at Brussels

cannot be left vacant for very long.

I ask only that it remain so
until after the Princess returns,

as I was promised.

I'm afraid that will not be possible.

Tommy,

I understand
you're only trying to do your job.

But one thing the trip to Northern Ireland
has made very clear to me

is that the romance between Margaret
and myself has caught the public eye.

There is a momentum for us,

a sense of joy and celebration,
which you would be wise to acknowledge.

The people can clearly see the sincerity
of the love between Margaret and me,

and I would advise you
not to reprehend us for that.

Such an act could backfire.

And now,
if I may give you some advice in turn, Peter.

That when referring to a member
of the Royal Family,

you use the appropriate title.
In this case, "Her Royal Highness."

When referring to the woman I love,
and who loves me,

and who is soon to be my wife,
I'll call her what I damn well like.

Her name is Margaret.

Car, Townsend.

Waiting.

Tick, tick, tick.

Bon voyage.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

MARGARET: A tiny white community,

surrounded by primitive Africans,

grew into a young and flourishing nation,

with the ever-brightening promise
of more prosperity before it.

- Hurry up!
- Yes, sir!

MARGARET: We honour
a man of remarkable vision,

who saw how great this land
could become once civilised.

I wish continued prosperity and success

to all those who inhabit it.

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDS)

MAN 1: Ladies and gentleman,
please stand for the loyal toast.

(CHAIRS SHUFFLE)

MAN 2: Telegram for the Princess Margaret.

MAN 1: The Queen!
ALL: To the Queen!

(MUSIC PLAYS)

ALL: (SINGING)
God save our gracious Queen

Long live our noble Queen

God save the Queen

Send her victorious

Thank you.

- Madam.
- Thank you.

Long to reign over us

God save the Queen

I need to speak to my sister.

Now!

Switchboard.

Her Royal Highness
needs to make an urgent call

to Her Majesty the Queen.

- A secure line will be required.
- Putting you through.

(LINE RINGING)

Foreign Office. How may I direct your call?

Buckingham Palace. Victoria 48, 32.

I have Her Royal Highness
the Princess Margaret

for Her Majesty the Queen.

Sir.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Sir.

(GROANS)

Princess Margaret for Her Majesty the Queen.

- On a secure line.
- Of course!

What's taking so long?

Well, I gather we have the secure line, ma'am.

They're just having trouble
locating Her Majesty.

What can be so difficult? She's the Queen.

She's fairly conspicuous.
She can't disappear.

(TELEPHONE LINES RING)

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Sandringham House, good evening.

Yes, sir. She's here.
Arrived about an hour ago.

Yes, sir, right away.

Ma'am, I've located the Queen.

MAN:...but we're really trying
not to let this happen again.

ELIZABETH: Well, I think
he's a little bit inexperienced.

- What, the jockey, ma'am?
- Yes, I do.

- Telephone, Your Majesty.
- Right.

Yes, I'd like his scope recorded for
the first quarter mile tomorrow morning.

Yes, ma'am.

And then we might have to think
about pairing him with another rider.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes?

How could you?

Margaret.

You gave me your word. Promised me
he'd still be there when I got back.

- I did.
- Why has he been sent away?

- Banished like some criminal.
- Things got out of hand.

I took you at your word,
believed everything you said.

How happy you were for me.
How you would support us.

- Margaret.
- You've been against us from the beginning.

- Because you can't bear to be eclipsed.
- What?

Can't bear to be outshone
by your younger sister.

You've never liked it. Admit it.

And you've hated how Peter and I
have caught the popular imagination.

- Hated it enough to want to destroy it.
- This is madness.

Well, you fail to protect me.
I will fail to protect you in return.

Margaret.

You reap what you sow, sister.

(HANGS UP RECEIVER)

(KEYS CLACKING)

PHILIP: "The laws of England
say that any man, once divorced,

"is fully entitled to marry again.

"If those laws are good enough for England,

"they are good enough for the Royal Family."

I know, but...

"The near-holy reverence shown
for the Crown

"by the people of Britain is a fact of life,

"as the recent coronation has shown."

CLEMMIE: "Few other countries in the world
retain such regard for their monarchies.

"But are those centuries of awe
drawing to an end?

"Can that veneration be sustained
in the light of the Royal Family's cruelty...

- (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)
- "...to its very own members?"

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

DAVID: "The Royal Family in Britain
has survived a thousand proofs

"that it is artificial and superfluous

"and seems to have as deep a hold as ever

"on the loyalties of the people.

"It is not likely, however,
to survive the clear proof

"that it insensate and cruel."

(SHRIEKS)

(GIGGLES)

PHILIP: "The treatment of her sister
has now jeopardised the future

"of the monarchy in Britain."

(CUTLERY CLATTERS)

In 48 hours, it would have passed.

If you're lucky.

I fear it will take longer than that
for Margaret to forgive me.

She will in time, she has to.

We all have to.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

- (KNOCKING AT DOOR)
- (EXCLAIMS)

- Your Majesty.
- Be right with you.

- Hello, Mike. Where are you going?
- I told you. I was away for the weekend.

- Did you?
- Baron's having a house party.

- Who's Baron?
- Baron Nahum.

President of our lunch club.

Don't look like that.
It's gentlemen only, right?

Absolutely.

Perfectly innocent.

- Shall we, old boy?
- Yes, I think let's.

Snifter en route, eh?

(LAUGHTER)

Toodle-doo.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)