Original subtitles

[lawyer] Mrs. Thompson? And this must be little Molly.

I understand Mr. Thompson is still awaiting permanent residence?

That's right.

[lawyer] And is your representation on here?

[woman] I've always been a very outgoing person.

Got my wine circle.

My book club.

Church.

I'd always ask him to come, but he'd never want to.

And I'd say to her, I don't know these people.

I-- I have a busy job.

-I'm tired in the evenings. -Who can be tired every night?

[indistinct radio presenter speaking]

[woman] Everyone would say, "Where's Anthony?"

They'd assume something was wrong in the marriage.

And, uh, soon enough, there was.

[radio cuts off]

We had moved out into separate bedrooms and started eating separately.

Yeah, we'd, um… become very different people.

[court clerk] Court rise!

Couple number one.

Case number 309 of 96.

Carter and Carter.

And before long, the love had gone. From my side.

[Anthony] It's a shame, really, because…

I still love her.

No.

I don't anymore.

I'm sorry.

The petitioner maintains that her marriage to the respondent

has irretrievably broken down.

Does any party or person wish to show cause

against decrees being pronounced

or to be heard as to the question of costs?

-No, sir. -No.

Very well. I pronounce decrees and make orders

in accordance with the respective district judges' certificates.

Next, please.

[exhales deeply]

[Elizabeth] Dearest Charles.

Dearest Diana.

I am writing to let you know that everyone is now of one mind.

That the termination of your marriage is not only inevitable

but preferable.

When you made your vows to each other on your wedding day,

it was an occasion that warmed millions of hearts around the world.

Fourteen years later, those vows lie shattered all around us.

To approve a divorce, let alone request it,

goes against every one of my convictions

as a wife,

mother, sovereign,

and Head of the Church of England.

But the present situation has become intolerable

and is causing great pain and anguish to the whole family.

In particular to your sons, William and Harry.

My fervent wish is that by reaching an agreement swiftly,

you will restore a dignity

that in recent years has so regrettably been lost.

With love from Mama.

[exhales]

[theme music playing]

[sniffles]

In the days immediately after the interview,

I felt like the whole world was on my side.

But then the wind changed.

People who had always been on my side, they started to turn.

[woman] Like who?

What?

Who?

Oh…

Valued members of staff leaving me.

My press secretary.

My private secretary.

And a man I hoped might love me.

[woman] The heart surgeon?

-Dr. Khan? -Mm-hmm.

Suddenly gone silent.

[inhales deeply]

And then the letter from the Queen.

It was so final.

And so matter of fact.

The epitaph to our marriage written up in a few lines.

It's like that moment

when the coffin's brought into a funeral,

and you realize that it's all real.

[overlapping chatter]

-[man] My car. -[laughter]

That's my car, mate.

[man shouts] Diana!

-[reporters clamoring] -[cameras clicking]

[woman] Diana!

[Charles] My lawyers came to see me today and

informed me of Diana's headline demands.

Good morning.

-Welcome to Highgrove. -Thank you very much.

[Charles] She wants to keep her residence at Kensington Palace,

as well as her office in St. James's.

She wants her office budget to be separate from the financial settlement

for which she is seeking a one-off payment of some 35 million pounds.

[Camilla] God. That's punchy.

Outrageous and totally unrealistic is what it is. Hang on.

That's going in the kitchen garden, not there.

Sir!

[Charles] She knows perfectly well that I can't take that kind of money

from the Duchy of Cornwall.

And then she's threatened,

if I contest the figure, she's going to withdraw her consent to the divorce.

Which means another two years

before we can get the marriage legally dissolved.

And frankly, it speaks of desperation that she should sink this low.

She probably thought after the Panorama interview

-that she'd be left holding all the cards. -[Charles sighs]

Instead, it's all just blown up in her face.

[Charles] Yes.

Anyway, how are things with you?

Those ghastly people gone from the end of your drive?

Oh, sadly, not.

-[reporters] Camilla! -Over here!

-[all clamoring] -[cameras clicking]

They seem to have set up home there.

I have to creep around like a criminal under house arrest.

Mrs. Campbell has to deliver all my food, and I can't even take the dogs for a walk.

I'm literally under siege.

Literally.

It's an outrage that you're made to suffer like this.

I had a word with a member of my legal team.

She came up with the name of someone she'd been impressed by

at the Press Complaints Commission.

A public relations expert who could protect you.

Sort of fight your corner in terms of privacy and public image.

Would you meet with him if she arranged it?

With a spin doctor?

[distant bells tolling]

[Major] It's now clear the Princess of Wales

has engaged Anthony Julius

at Mishcon De Reya.

The Prince of Wales has engaged Fiona Shackleton at Farrer and Co.

Neither is known, nor I suspect was hired,

for their ability to give ground and make peace.

And I worry that, with feelings on both sides

still running high after the Panorama program,

it might prove hard to keep things amicable.

Yes.

What we need is some kind of mediator.

Someone who might be trusted by both sides.

A Privy Councilor, perhaps.

The Lord Chancellor comes to mind.

Or-- Or Baroness Chalker.

Douglas Hurd, recently retired, could be excellent.

What about you?

Me?

You've done such good work in Northern Ireland.

You are the rarest of things.

Someone that is easy to like and trust.

I know, as Prime Minister, you are the busiest man in England,

but might you consider it?

To act on our behalf?

As an intermediary?

An intercessor.

An umpire.

[chuckles softly]

[Major] I was lost for words.

The boy from Brixton who couldn't get a job as a bus conductor

being asked to mediate in a royal divorce.

-[both chuckle softly] -By the Queen herself.

I-- I was tickled by her use of the word "umpire."

-You know-- -[Norma] One or two?

Two.

[man on radio speaking indistinctly]

You know I've always fancied myself in the role.

Players everywhere, getting hot under the collar,

appealing loudly all around you,

and me, the calm, quiet, reasonable man.

I'm heading back to Huntingdon.

See you at the weekend?

I'll try my best.

Well, the children will wanna see you.

We all want to see you.

It depends how much work I have.

[tongs clatter]

Yes.

Of course.

[man on radio] I thought it was a worthy objective.

Meanwhile, the British Gas hierarchy is admitting its big shake-up

that's seen 11,000 voluntary redundancies last year alone--

[court clerk] Couple number 12.

Case number 502 of 96.

Lawson and Lawson.

[woman 2] The worst bit is him getting home just as it's getting light.

[man 2] I do shift work.

Long-distance lorry driving.

He sleeps all day and works all night.

I'm just trying to do my job.

Provide for my family.

That's his catchphrase.

What's the point in having a family if you never see them?

And that's hers.

I have begged him to take on less shifts. Three a week instead of five.

He promises he'll talk to his boss but never does.

We need the money.

[sighs]

[inhales sharply] In my childhood,

family was at the heart of everything we did.

Sorry.

[sniffles]

My dad was always there.

Making everyone laugh.

Always going on about your perfect father.

In my family,

sometimes we had to choose between

putting money in the gas meter and buying food.

[stifling sobs]

You've no idea what it feels like to have nothing.

The biggest birthday present you could give your children

would be time with you.

[crying] Time with their dad. Sorry.

Uh, recently…

[sniffles]

…I told my dad

how hard it's been.

And he said to come home…

to a proper family.

So we're gonna move home.

The girls can have a grandfather if not a father.

[sighs softly]

Very well. I pronounce decrees and make orders

in accordance with the respective district judges' certificates.

Next, please.

-[man] I heard there was traffic… -[doorbell rings]

[woman] I'll get it.

[footsteps approaching]

Am I terribly late?

Not at all. Come on in. Pop your coat there.

Is he already here?

Yes, it's all fine. He's just waiting for you through here.

-Okay? -Yeah.

Mark Bolland, Camilla Parker Bowles.

-Hello. -Hello.

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting a spin doctor to look like.

[chuckles]

Older, perhaps.

Don't let his youth put you off. This one's a killer.

-So, are we over here? -Yeah, if you just wanna sit down.

[Mark] I'll go over there.

-Mark. -[Mark] Thank you.

-[woman] Would you like some tea? -Yes, please.

Do you take milk?

No, straight up. Thanks.

-[woman] Mark? -Uh, yes, please. Thank you.

[tea pouring]

I'll have some milk.

May I start by saying how much sympathy I've felt for you

for as long as I can remember.

-Don't worry about me. I'm fine. -[Mark] I disagree.

I think the press and, by implication, the country has been monstrous.

Well, one doesn't want to be all

"poor me" about it, but people have not been kind.

I think they forget

loving the Prince of Wales has cost me everything.

So, what are we going to do about it?

As I see it, I have a clear choice.

Either I abandon my relationship with Charles

and start my life again out of the limelight,

or I put my foot down…

-Oh no. -What?

-They're clamping your car. -No, it's not my car.

It belongs to the Prince of Wales. It's one of the estate cars.

-[woman] Let me deal with this. -[knocking]

[woman] I'm on it!

[door opens]

Hello?

-Excuse me! -[Camilla] They very strict around here?

I've got no idea, but Hilary will sort them out.

She's a force of nature.

-[Camilla] Oh, here's the one in uniform. -[Hilary] I'm a solicitor.

You were saying, either you abandon your relationship with the Prince of Wales

and you start your life again out of the limelight, or…

Or I put my foot to the floor and go for it.

[Mark] For what?

Isn't it obvious?

-I don't want to spell it out. -I think it's vital you spell it out.

Go for official acceptance. Legitimacy.

-[Mark] As his wife? -Yes.

[Mark] And therefore, ultimately…

[sighs]

Well, whatever I would be if I were his wife.

I believe there's a name for it.

I can't say that word.

What word?

-The "Q" word. -[Mark] Why?

Because it's unsayable.

Because… it's treasonous to even contemplate it.

It's what we're talking about, isn't it?

Standing here in this terraced house in the middle of Islington,

watching someone clamp your boyfriend's car.

You being Queen.

Look, I never wanted any of that.

[sighs]

But… what is my alternative after all this time?

If I let this…

this situation, this predicament I'm in diminish me, destroy me…

No, I agree. You need to go for it.

And you know, thing is, I think if we were to marry,

I could actually be some help.

I know how to make the Prince of Wales happy, which he deserves,

and do a better job, which the country deserves.

I cannot watch the buggers

muddle these advisors he's hired to help him make of it most of the time.

Hear, hear.

Particularly around the divorce.

The biggest single overnight improvement

the Prince of Wales could make to his public image

would be to resolve the divorce as swiftly and as amicably as possible.

I agree. The country's sick of "The War of the Waleses."

Sick to the back teeth.

Oh, Diana would never be clamped, would she?

[Mark chuckles softly]

One bat of the eyelids, one flash of the smile,

and they would all just melt away.

Why not show your face? It might make a difference.

[Camilla laughs]

My leathery old skin, unplucked eyebrows, and dreadful dandruff…

I don't suppose you read that piece.

I did. I'm sorry.

And I will take care of all that. I promise.

-Shall we talk again in the coming days? -Yes, all right.

-Great. -I suppose I'd better move that car.

Yeah.

-But very nice meeting you. -Lovely meeting you.

[Hilary] Look, here she comes. I told you she wouldn't be long.

[Camilla] Hello, chaps.

-I'm terribly sorry about this. -[man] It's all right.

If I drive the car away now,

could you see your way to possibly letting me out?

-That would be fine, madam. -Thank you. You're very kind. I'm sorry.

We can draw a line under the whole thing. [chuckles]

I liked him.

I think you will too.

Who?

The spin doctor.

-Mmm. -I think you should meet him.

-What for? -[chuckles softly]

For a spin checkup with his little stethoscope.

[chuckles, inhales deeply]

Oh God, you make me laugh.

-[dog whining] -[both chuckling]

More than laugh.

The two cornerstones of… any successful relationship.

Does your partner make you laugh?

-And do they make you-- -Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

What?

Never know who's listening.

No, God. That's true.

Don't want to make that mistake again.

No.

No, we do not.

Night.

Night.

[phone clatters]

[man on radio] I also played quite a few test matches against the West Indians,

who are, by far and away, the best side in the world.

The majority of the time, we'd only get one bowl at them,

and they'd bowl us out twice.

I became very much a defensive bowler…

[Charles] Look, I know you've been asked to help

to resolve the divorce in a civilized manner,

but how can anyone expect my side to behave civilly

when her side has already made such an open declaration of war?

Perhaps the princess, in seeking such a large initial sum,

is simply trying to ensure her future independence.

Rather than allowing a situation to develop

in which she is beholden to you for a longer period of time.

In some ways,

her attempt to avoid a financial settlement with no fixed term

could be seen as a way of liberating you both.

Well, I'm afraid that speaks to a generosity of spirit that you possess,

not Diana.

An opening demand of this magnitude is clearly designed to ruin me.

Which is in keeping with the princess's desire to destroy me at every turn.

[breathes deeply]

I'm simply encouraging you to be more flexible

in your thinking toward the princess

and what her motivations might be.

When she is flexible, I shall be flexible.

Don't talk to me about flexibility. He's the most inflexible man I know.

Well, after a lengthy and, I think, productive discussion,

I can confirm that His Royal Highness

is now prepared to discuss a sizeable payment

with just one stipulation.

That you refrain forever from speaking in public

about the marriage or the monarchy

in any way that could be seen as damaging.

[Diana] Hmm.

[inhales deeply]

If he's gonna stuff my mouth with gold and hope I gag,

that sum had better have eight figures and start with a three.

In any negotiation, it's worth remembering

there are often two languages being spoken.

The language of the demands being made and what's actually being said underneath.

I prefer to try and ignore the former and speak the latter.

[Diana] Mmm.

The prince's team is saying… "We want you to be happy."

"We want you to be secure."

"We just want to keep things quiet and private."

"And… dignified."

[birds chirping]

[brakes squeaking softly]

I've been chasing you since Junction 14. [chuckles]

-Mrs. Parker Bowles, good to see you. -Oh, Camilla, please.

Look what I found in a lay-by.

Your Royal Highness.

Everywhere I go, a deafening chorus is telling me to engage you immediately

and what an enormous difference you could make to both our lives.

Mrs. Parker Bowles couldn't have been more effusive.

And this morning, John Wakeham telephoned me

to tell me how indispensable you've been at the Press Complaints Commission.

That's very kind. I don't have any special powers.

I just… you know, read the newspapers, watch TV, like everyone else.

But I-- I do now sense a tipping point

where the Princess of Wales's perceived disloyalty

with regard to the Panorama interview might actually help the two of you.

How?

If you appear to be the complete opposite.

The reasonable party.

Stable, settled, mature.

But first, sir, you must resolve this divorce.

You cannot retain the sympathy and respect of the nation until that's done.

-[Camilla] Hear, hear. -Talk to your lawyers.

Instruct them to reach a generous agreement.

Take the high ground, get it done, and then we can focus on the two of you.

And start to bring Mrs. Parker Bowles out into the open.

We met when she came to work as a hygienist in my dental practice.

I'd never had much stability… in my life,

so when Mark expressed interest,

I was flattered.

We started seeing each other.

I'd always wanted kids. I just… hadn't found the right woman yet.

When he got on one knee,

I imagined telling my mum.

She was always on at me about my failed relationships.

"Who is it today?" she'd always say.

-"Should I bother learning his name?" -[scoffs]

And I thought, "This'll show her."

On the honeymoon, I suggested we try.

-We'd never talked about kids before. -She didn't wanna know.

I was only 24.

I said give it time.

She started going out.

At first, once or twice a week. I was okay with that.

-[scoffs] Really? I don't think so. -Then more and more.

He would stay up, waiting for me.

Like you were avoiding me.

Like-- Like a parent.

-I started getting stressed. -Like a policeman.

Like, listening in on my calls. Reading my post.

All I wanted was to start a family.

[court clerk] Couple number 23.

Case number 1044 of 96.

Turner and Turner.

Thank you.

[woman 3] I just couldn't cope.

With his control, it just felt suffocating.

Do you ever feel that some people just aren't cut out for marriage?

You certainly aren't.

Does any party or person wish to show cause

against decrees being pronounced

or to be heard as to the question of costs?

-No, my lord. -[judge] Very well.

I pronounce decrees and make orders

in accordance with the respective district judges' certificates.

Next, please.

The Prime Minister, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

[door closes]

I detect a sunniness of disposition today.

I'm happy to say there has been headway

in the negotiations between the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Oh.

Well done.

How on earth did you manage that?

I wish I could take the credit.

The breakthrough was instigated by the Prince of Wales,

who seems to have discovered a new urgency in bringing the matter to a close.

He's offered a lump sum of some £17 million,

plus an additional annual stipend of some £400,000

from which the princess will be able to fund her own office

and travel arrangements.

So, what are the next steps?

A joint statement from the Wales's legal teams

as well as one from Buckingham Palace.

A decree nisi will have to be filed,

and the final hearing will take place in a regular court.

The same procedure as thousands of divorces before it and… after it.

How sad.

The biggest, most celebrated wedding in memory.

Then this.

[breathes deeply]

Once we're happy with the draft,

we'll send it on to the princess to look over too.

We felt it should be as brief as possible.

It simply confirms the joint custody arrangement

and nods to the Princess of Wales's future role as a valid but separate issue.

[Aylard] There we are, sir.

[somber instrumental music plays slowly]

…the same, but I think we need to ensure that things are equal.

[continues indistinctly]

If you could sign here.

[somber music builds slowly]

[clears throat]

[indistinct dialogue]

[music continues building intensity]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[man] Her Majesty the Queen for you, sir.

Thank you.

[music fades]

Mummy.

[Elizabeth] So, I gather it's done.

Yes.

I hope you're… if not happy, then relieved.

[clears throat] I'm not sure… what I feel. I'm…

Certainly not relief.

I've made the necessary arrangements.

The funds will be drawn from the Privy Purse

to settle Diana's payment.

Thank you.

It's good for the boys that the hostilities are over.

Yes.

And it can't have been easy for Diana either.

No.

[exhales softly]

[vehicle approaching outside]

[car doors opening]

Thank you.

[doors closing in hallway]

[footsteps approaching]

[exhales deeply]

-Are those pictures different? -Lots of things here are different.

Why are you here?

Come to take away more furniture?

Inform me of some nasty last-minute change to the settlement?

Honestly, I'm not quite sure why I'm here.

All I know is, I…

got in the car this morning, and it just sort of drove itself here.

Had I known, I would've put on a revenge dress.

[chuckles softly]

Haven't you been wearing one every day since our separation?

It certainly seemed like it, reading the newspapers.

For what it's worth, I think you look even more beautiful like that.

A mess?

Natural.

[sucks teeth] Stop it.

-And you still blush. -[sighs]

Like the very first time.

[sniffs]

Only with you, infuriatingly.

Any time you say anything remotely nice.

I probably didn't do that enough, did I?

Say nice things.

No.

Well, divorce clearly suits you.

It suits you, more like.

Finally got everything you ever wanted.

No man whose marriage has failed will ever have everything he wants.

He'll forever be like a…

vase with a great crack in it.

Please.

It's none of my business, but, um…

I heard you might have found someone.

Mmm.

I think that's all going away. Sadly.

Scared him off. Poor thing.

I'm sorry.

[clears throat softly]

How are those nuts?

-Like cardboard. -They've been there for months.

Are you hungry?

A little.

We could see if there's anything in the kitchen.

All right.

Do you even remember where it is?

-The kitchen? -Mm.

What are you talking about? I did live here happily for years.

It's this way.

Is it?

And you were never happy here.

I was happy here for five years.

Never.

How long would you say?

A year, tops.

Nonsense.

We're divorced now, so who cares? [chuckles]

Right. I've got eggs, mushrooms.

I've started eating onions now that you've left. Ham.

-I could make an omelet. -Great.

[sizzling]

-Oh. [chuckles] -Oh dear.

It's impossible. [chuckles]

Darren usually leaves me notes.

Sticky notes with instructions.

Oh, I see.

Never mind. The menu's changed.

We're having scrambled eggs.

-Good. Is that enough? -[Charles] Yeah. That's perfect.

Why doesn't one just eat scrambled eggs all the time?

[both chuckling lightly]

And why did we never eat in the kitchen before?

Such fun.

There is so much we could've done differently.

Second time round.

All right.

Now that we're here,

a review of the marriage.

An audit.

No judgments, no arguments, just…

lay it out on the table.

An autopsy.

Don't say that.

Why? Marriage is dead.

Both signed the death certificate. It is an autopsy.

We never did this before

because you never showed interest in spending any time alone with me.

-You made sure there were other people. -'Cause you were so withdrawn.

You were so shy.

I thought company might help.

Yes, but it was always company for you.

It was never company for me.

And I could have been brought out of my shell.

All I needed was the confidence from being loved by you.

All right. All right. My fault.

But you didn't make it easy either.

No.

I was difficult.

I was just hurt.

And I wanted attention.

You certainly got that.

And I'm sorry that so much of it must have felt like an attack on you.

Thank you.

I'm sorry too.

For all of it.

[sighs]

It was so much pressure on us both.

And we were so young.

I was young. You've never been young. Not even when you were young.

[exhales]

I'm sorry. That came out meaner than I intended.

Maybe we shouldn't do this. It's… It's upsetting.

You do know there was always love there?

Yes.

And respect.

In a sense, somehow, we were a good match.

A perfect match.

That was the thing. The whole world thought we were the perfect match.

Just not the perfect love.

Because you already had that with someone else.

Can I ask a favor?

Can we use her name?

Today.

[exhales]

Camilla.

Thank you.

I never stood a chance.

[sniffs]

Neither did Camilla.

All anybody wanted was the

fairy tale of us.

For a while, it was a fairy tale, wasn't it?

How could we let everybody down like that?

Hacking chunks out of each other in public.

Turning on each other in the most awful way.

Some of the things you said in that interview.

About me being unfit to be King, knowing the impact that would have on me.

I only meant that being King would stop you from doing other things.

Things that might actually make you happy.

That you might be naturally more suited to, that's all.

[chuckles dryly]

I'm not naturally suited to be King?

-That's not what I said. -The thing I was born to do.

I don't think I've ever heard anything… more quietly eviscerating.

You're twisting my words. Don't get up.

To say that about our son too.

That you wouldn't wish him to inherit his birthright either.

What caring mother would?

Watch him suffer this madness?

Just waiting for it to happen. The expectation.

Look how miserable it's made you.

It's not the waiting that made me miserable!

It was years spent rotting in a marriage to someone trying to destroy me!

Don't do this.

Why did you marry into this family if that's the way you felt?

Because I didn't marry a family. I married a man.

I married you because I loved you.

[breathes deeply]

And I gave birth to a son that we might have a family together.

Not a monarch in waiting.

[sighs]

[exhales sharply]

I could ask you the same question.

Why did you marry me?

Because I had no choice.

Ask my parents.

They were perfectly aware I loved someone else.

[groans softly, grunts]

There it is.

[inhales deeply]

Well, perhaps they also knew…

[swallows]

…that a younger, more popular wife might help you succeed.

I'm not sure how popular she is now that everyone sees who she really is.

My popularity's been transferred to William.

Who everyone would prefer to see as King. Not you.

You know, I came here today

wracked by guilt and uncertainty and…

sad for what the country had lost, and

sorry for my part in it.

But I leave here liberated.

[breathes deeply]

And more certain than ever that only with you out of my life

and out of this family can anyone find the happiness

and the stability that's eluded us for 16 years.

[stifling sobs]

[door slams]

[slapping table intermittently]

[sobs]

[indistinct hushed chatter]

[judge] Thank you.

[somber instrumental music plays slowly]

[clears throat]

[court clerk] Couple number 31.

Case number 5029 of 96,

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales

and Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.

[judge] It is understood that both parties have lived apart for two years

prior to the petition

and that the respondent consents to the granting of this decree.

Does any party or person wish to show cause

against the decrees being pronounced

or to be heard as to the question of costs?

Very well.

I pronounce decrees and make orders

in accordance with the respective district judges' certificates.

Could we clear the courtroom, please? Thank you.

[hushed murmurs, overlapping chatter]

[indistinct office chatter]

[somber instrumental music swells]

[crowd clamoring]

[newsman] There are those who say that the monarchy has no relevance

to modern British life.

[bells tolling]

Obviously, a lot of people don't agree.

And so, out into sunshine, and bells, and wild delight,

as a palpable wave of affection and pride wells out from the crowd…

the Mall fills with people like a thermometer fills with mercury.

Who can doubt the love and happiness

that this couple so obviously feel and share?

So strong that for one inspiring day,

a whole nation can forget its troubles to unite in wishing them well.

[cheers and applause]

[haunting instrumental music plays]

[music fades out]