ELIZABETH:HAVE YOU VOTED YET, MR CRAWFORD?
ARTIST:YES, MA'AM.I WAS THERE WHEN THEY OPENED.FIRST IN LINE.SEVEN O'CLOCK.AND I DON'T MIND TELLING YOU, IT WASN'T FOR MR BLAIR.
ELIZABETH:NOT A MODERNISER, THEN?
ARTIST:CERTAINLY NOT.WE'RE IN DANGER OF LOSING TOO MUCH THAT'S GOOD ABOUT THIS COUNTRY AS IT IS.
ELIZABETH:HMM.I RATHER ENVY YOU BEING ABLE TO VOTE.NOT THE ACTUAL TICKING OF THE BOX, ALTHOUGH, I SUPPOSE, IT WOULD BE NICE TO EXPERIENCE THAT ONCE.BUT THE SHEER JOY OF BEING PARTIAL.
ARTIST:YES.ONE FORGETS THAT AS SOVEREIGN, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO VOTE.
ELIZABETH:NO.
ARTIST:STILL, YOU WON'T CATCH ME FEELING SORRY FOR YOU.YOU MIGHT NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE, MA'AM.BUT IT IS YOUR GOVERNMENT.
ELIZABETH:YES.
ELIZABETH:I SUPPOSE THAT IS SOME CONSOLATION.
MAID:G'MORNING, MA'AM.
DRESSER:SHALL I DRAW THE CURTAINS?
ELIZABETH:DID YOU STAY UP?
DRESSER:YES, MA'AM.
ELIZABETH:AND? WAS IT AS EXPECTED.?
RESSER:YES, MA'AM.MR BLAIR, BY A LANDSLIDE.
ELIZABETH:I SEE.
JANVRIN:THE PRIME MINISTER IS ON HIS WAY, MA'AM.
ELIZABETH:TO BE, ROBIN.PRIME MINISTER TO BE.
ELIZABETH:HE'S A HARD ONE TO READ, ISN'T HE?
JANVRIN:YES.ON THE ONE HAND HIS BACKGROUND IS QUITE ESTABLISHMENT.FATHER A CONSERVATIVE.A PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION AT FETTES, WHERE HE WAS TUTORED BY THE SAME MAN AS THE PRINCE OF WALES.
ELIZABETH:WELL, WE'LL TRY NOT TO HOLD THAT AGAINST HIM.
JANVRIN:ON THE OTHER, HIS MANIFESTO PROMISES THE MOST RADICAL MODERNISATION AND SHAKE-UP OF THE CONSTITUTION IN THREE HUNDRED YEARS.
ELIZABETH:OH.IS HE GOING TO "MODERNISE" US, DO YOU THINK?
JANVRIN:I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HIM.HE'S MARRIED TO A WOMAN WITH KNOWN ANTI- MONARCHIST SYMPATHIES - YOU MAY REMEMBER HER CURTSEY THE FIRST TIME YOU MET.IT COULD BEST BE DESCRIBED AS "SHALLOW".
ELIZABETH:I DON'T MEASURE THE DEPTH OF A CURTSEY, ROBIN.I LEAVE THAT TO MY SISTER.
JANVRIN:AND I SPOKE TO THE CABINET SECRETARY WHO SAID HE WAS EXPECTING THE ATMOSPHERE AT DOWNING STREET TO BE VERY INFORMAL.EVERYONE ON FIRST NAME TERMS.AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S INSISTENCE.
ELIZABETH:WHAT? AS IN "CALL ME TONY?"
JANVRIN:YES.
ELIZABETH:OH.I'M NOT SURE I LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT.HAVE WE SENT HIM A PROTOCOL SHEET?
TONY:FUNNY, I'M ACTUALLY RATHER NERVOUS.
CHERIE:HY? YOU'VE MET HER OFTEN ENOUGH BEFORE.
TONY:I KNOW.BUT NEVER ONE TO ONE.AND NEVER AS PRIME MINISTER.
CHERIE:REMEMBER, YOU'RE A MAN THAT'S JUST BEEN ELECTED BY THE WHOLE COUNTRY.
TONY:YES.BUT SHE'S STILL, Y'KNOW.
TONY:THE QUEEN.
EQUERRY:WHEN WE REACH THE AUDIENCE ROOM, I WILL KNOCK.WE WILL NOT WAIT TO BE CALLED, WE WILL GO STRAIGHT INSIDE.STANDING BY THE DOOR, WE BOW.FROM THE NECK.I WILL INTRODUCE YOU.THE QUEEN WILL EXTEND HER HAND, YOU GO TO HER, BOW AGAIN, THEN SHAKE HER HAND.
TONY:YES.
EQUERRY:AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE PRESENCE, AT NO POINT MUST YOU SHOW YOUR BACK.
TONY:THE "PRESENCE"?
EQUERRY:YES, SIR.THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED, WHEN YOU'RE IN HER MAJESTY'S COMPANY.TONY TURNS, SHOOTS A LOOK AT CHERIE, WHO STICKS HER FINGERS DOWN HER THROAT.TONY SMILES BACK.MR BLAIR, YOUR MAJESTY.
ELIZABETH:ONGRATULATIONS.
TONY:THANK YOU, MA'AM.
ELIZABETH:YOUR CHILDREN MUST BE VERY PROUD.
TONY:I HOPE SO.
ELIZABETH:YOU'VE THREE, HAVEN'T YOU?
TONY:THAT'S RIGHT.
ELIZABETH:HOW LOVELY.SUCH A BLESSING.CHILDREN.
ELIZABETH:SO.HAVE WE SHOWN YOU HOW TO START A NUCLEAR WAR YET?
TONY:NO.
ELIZABETH:FIRST THING WE DO, I BELIEVE.THEN WE TAKE YOUR PASSPORT AND SPEND THE REST OF THE TIME SENDING YOU AROUND THE WORLD.
TONY:YOU OBVIOUSLY KNOW MY JOB BETTER THAN I DO.
ELIZABETH:WELL, YOU ARE MY TENTH PRIME MINISTER, MR BLAIR.I'D LIKE TO THINK THERE WEREN'T TOO MANY SURPRISES LEFT.MY FIRST WAS WINSTON CHURCHILL.HE SAT IN YOUR CHAIR, IN FROCK COAT AND TOP HAT, AND WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE A SHY
TONY:I CAN IMAGINE.
ELIZABETH:ITH TIME, ONE HAS HOPEFULLY ADDED EXPERIENCE TO THAT EDUCATION, AND A LITTLE WISDOM - BETTER ENABLING US TO EXECUTE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.TO ADVISE, GUIDE AND WARN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY.
TONY:ADVICE WHICH I LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING.
ELIZABETH:ELL, WE WILL SAVE THAT FOR OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS.A NOW, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO.
TONY:OF COURSE.YOUR MAJESTY, THE COUNTRY HAS SPOKEN.AND I COME NOW TO ASK YOUR PERMISS.
ELIZABETH:NO, NO, NO.IT'S USUAL FOR ME TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.MR BLAIR, THE PEOPLE HAVE ELECTED YOU TO BE THEIR LEADER.AND SO THE DUTY FALLS ON ME, AS YOUR SOVEREIGN, TO ASK YOU TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER, AND FORM A GOVERNMENT IN MY NAME.GENERALLY, THIS IS WHERE YOU SAY "YES."
TONY:"YES".
CHERIE:YES.
ELIZABETH:AND EXHAUSTED, I IMAGINE.WHERE WILL YOU BE SPENDING THE SUMMER?
CHERIE:FRANCE.
ELIZABETH:HOW LOVELY.
TONY:OU'LL BE IN BALMORAL, I EXPECT.
ELIZABETH:YES, I CAN HARDLY WAIT.WONDERFUL PLACE.MY GREAT, GREAT GRANDMOTHER SAID OF IT IN BALMORAL ALL SEEMS TO BREATHE FREEDOM AND PEACE AND TO MAKE ONE FORGET THE WORLD AND ITS SAD TURMOILS.REALLY.? I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE THERE.NOT TOO SHORT, WAS IT? I GAVE HIM FIFTEEN MINUTES.ONE DOESN'T WANT TO BE RUDE.
CHERIE:THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.NOW BUGGER OFF.
TONY:I KNOW.WHAT WAS ALL THAT ABOUT?
CHERIE:DIANA.APPARENTLY SHE'S GOT A NEW BOYFRIEND.
CNN NEWSREADER:DODI AL-FAYED IS THE SON OF EGYPTAIN MILLIONAIRE MOHAMMAD AL-FAYED, A MAN WHOM THE ENGLISH ESTABLISHMENT HAS REAPEATEDLY DENIED A BRITISH PASSPORT.THR PRINCESS AND MR FAYED WERE HUGGING AND KISSING IN FULL VIEW OF THE WORLD'S PRESS YESTERDAY.
GERMAN REPORTER:.THEY HAVE NOW BEEN INSIDE THE HOTEL FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS.WE BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN DINING IN A SUITE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.
FRENCH NEWSREADER:THE COUPLE LEFT THEN FOR PARIS.AT ONE POINT, THE PRINCESS TOLD GATHERED REPORTERS TO WATCH OUT.HER NEXT MOVE WOULD REALLY SURPRISE THEM.THE PRINCESS OF WALES AND DODI FAYED RETURNED TO PARIS EARLIER TODAY.
AMERICAN REPORTER:WHERE THEY VISITED A LOCAL JEWELLERY SHOP WHERE UNCONFIRMED REPORTS SUGGESTED MR FAYED HAD BEEN LOOKING AT ENGAGEMENT RINGS.WE'VE JUST BEEN TOLD THE PRINCESS IS ABOUT TO COME OUT OF THE HOTEL.
GERMAN REPORTER:THEY HAVE NOW BEEN INSIDE THE HOTEL FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS.WE BELEIVE THAY HAVE BEEN DINING IN A SUITE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.
AMERICAN REPORTER:WE'VE JUST BEEN TOLD THE PRINCESS IS ABOUT TO COME OUT OF THE HOTEL.
PAUL:DON'T BOTHER FOLLOWING.YOU WON'T CATCH US.
JANVRIN:ROBIN JANVRIN.WHAT? RIGHT I SEE.I;M GOING TO NEED TO SPEA TO HER MAJESTY.RIGHT AWAY.TELL SIR GUY I'D LIKE EVERYONE IN.AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DRESSER:MA'AM? MR JANVRIN IS HERE TO SEE YOU.
ELIZABETH:OH.
PRINCE PHILIP:WHAT THE.?
JANVRIN:GOOD EVENING, MA'AM.I'M SORRY TO DISTURB.I'VE JUST HAD A CALL FROM EMBASSY IN PARIS.IT'S THE PRINCESS OF WALES.
PRINCE PHILIP:WHY? WHAT'S SHE DONE NOW?
TONY:WHAT? HOW BADLY? I SEE.WHO ARE WE SPEAKING TO THERE? RIGHT.KEEP ME POSTED.IT'S DIANA.SHE'S BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN PARIS.
CHERIE:IS IT SERIOUS?
TONY:APPARENTLY DODI FAYED IS DEAD.
CHERIE:WHAT?
NEWSREADER:LET'S JUST RE-CAP ON WHAT'S HAPPENED.
PRINCE PHILIP:WHAT WAS SHE DOING IN PARIS?
ELIZABETH:OU KNOW WHAT SHE'S LIKE.IT'S QUITE AWFUL.WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THE BOYS?
CHARLES:LET THEM SLEEP UNTIL WE KNOW MORE.
ELIZABETH:YES THAT'S SENSIBLE.
CHARLES:I SHOULD GO TO PARIS.I TOLD MY PEOPLE TO START ORGANISING A JET.
ELIZABETH:WHAT? A PRIVATE ONE?
CHARLES:YES.
ELIZABETH:ISN'T THAT PRECISELY THE SORT OF EXTRAVAGANCE THEY ATTACK US FOR?
CHARLES:ELL, HOW ELSE AM I GOING TO GET TO PARIS AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT? THE AIRPORT AT ABERDEEN WILL BE CLOSED.
QUEEN MOTHER:YOU CAN USE THE ROYAL FLIGHT.THEY KEEP ONE OF THE PLANES ON PERMANENT STAND-BY.IN CASE I KICK THE BUCKET.
ELIZABETH:OUT OF THE QUESTION.IT'S NOT A MATTER OF STATE.
CHARLES:WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
ELIZABETH:DIANA IS NO LONGER AN HRH, NOR A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.THIS IS A PRIVATE MATTER.
CHARLES:SHE'S MOTHER TO YOUR GRANDCHILDREN.THE QUEEN MOTHER SITS ON THE SOFA NEXT TO PRINCE PHILIP.
QUEEN MOTHER:THAT'S THE LATEST?
PRINCE PHILIP:I DON'T KNOW.I CAN'T HEAR.EVERYONE'S SHOUTING.
SECRETARY:THE AMBASSADOR, IN PARIS.
JANVRIN:GOOD EVENING, SIR.RIGHT.I SEE.I'VE JUST SPOKEN TO OUR AMBASSADOR IN PARIS, MA'AM.I'M AFRAID IT'S NOT GOOD NEWS.
CHARLES:NO! NO, NO, NO, NO.!
NEWSREADER:WE HAVE JUST HAD CONFIRMATION, THAT DIANA PRINCES OF WALES HAS DIED IN PARIS.
CNN ANCHOR:I'M AFRAID WE HAVE SOME BAD NEWS TO REPORT.DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES IS DEAD.
TONY:WHAT HAVE I GOT ON THIS WEEK?
ALASTAIR:YOU'RE WRITING YOUR MAIDEN CONFERENCE SPEECH AS PRIME MINISTER.
TONY:WELL, LET'S CANCEL EVERYTHING ELSE.THIS IS GOING TO BE MASSIVE.A I'D BETTER MAKE A STATEMENT IN THE MORNING.
ALASTAIR:YOU'LL BE PLEASED TO KNOW I'VE ALREADY STARTED COMING UP WITH IDEAS.
TONY:GOD, SHE'S ONLY BEEN DEAD AN HOUR!
ALASTAIR:WOULD YOU PREFER I DIDN'T DO MY JOB?
CHARLES:THEY'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO SLEEP.WELL, TRY ANYWAY.MY PRIVATE SECRETARY'S OFFICE HAS FOUND A TRAVEL AGENCY OPEN IN NEW YORK THAT WILL SELL ME A FLIGHT TO PARIS WITH AN HOUR'S STOP OVER IN MANCHESTER.PERHAPS NOW YOU MIGHT CONSIDER WHETHER IT'S STILL AN EXTRAVAGANCE TO BRING BACK THE MOTHER OF THE FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND IN ONE OF OUR PLANES?
ELIZABETH:ALL RIGHT.I DON'T WANT THE BOYS TO SEE THE NEWS AND GET UPSET.FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING, I WANT THE RADIO TAKEN OUT OF THEIR BEDROOM, AND THE TELEVISION TAKEN OUT OF THE NURSERY.
PRINCE PHILIP:WELL, WELL, WELL.
ELIZABETH:YE-ES.
PRINCE PHILIP:ARE YOU ALRIGHT.YOUR SYSTER CALLED ABOUT AN HOUR AGO.FROM TUSCANY.
ELIZABETH:HOPE YOU TOLD HER TO COME BACK? CUT THE HOLIDAY SHORT?
PRINCE PHILIP:I DID.
ELIZABETH:AN'T IMAGINE SHE WAS PLEASED.
PRINCE PHILIP:THAT'S PUTTING IT MILDLY.
ELIZABETH:WHAT DID SHE SAY?
PRINCE PHILIP:SOMETHING ABOUT DIANA MANAGING TO BE EVEN MORE ANONOYING DEAD THAN ALIVE.
ELIZABETH:JUST MAKE SURE THE BOYS NEVER HEAR YOU TALK LIKE THAT.
PRINCE PHILIP:OF COURSE.
ELIZABETH:NO.I'M GOING TO DO MY DIARY A LITTLE LONGER.
PRINCE PHILIP:FINE, I'LL SLEEP NEXT DOOR.
TONY:THAT'S HOW SHE WILL REMAIN.IN OUR MINDS, OUR HEARTS, FOREVER.OK, GOT IT.
ALASTAIR:WHERE WILL YOU DO IT?
TONY:I THOUGHT AT CHURCH.ON THE WAY IN.
ALASTAIR:NOT THE PRESS, MATE.YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG VILLAIN.
TONY:I'VE GOT TO GO.
ALASTAIR:YOU ABOUT TO SPEAK TO THE QUEEN?
TONY:YES.
ALASTAIR:ASK HER IF SHE GREASED THE BRAKES.
TONY:NOW, NOW.
JANVRIN:I'M SORRY TO DISTURB, MA'AM, BUT I'VE THE PRIME MINISTER, FOR YOU.FROM HIS CONSTITUENCY.
QUEEN MOTHER:LUCKY YOU.
ELIZABETH:THANK YOU, ROBIN.I'LL TAKE IT NEXT DOOR.
TONY:GOOD MORNING, YOUR MAJESTY.MAY I SAY RIGHT AWAY HOW VERY SORRY I AM - AND THAT THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OF MY FAMILY ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TERRIBLE TIME AND WITH THE TWO PRINCES IN PARTICULAR.
ELIZABETH:THANK YOU.
TONY:IS IT YOUR INTENTION TO MAKE SOME KIND OF APPEARANCE.OR STATEMENT?
ELIZABETH:CERTAINLY NOT.NO MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL SPEAK PUBLICLY ABOUT THIS.IT IS A PRIVATE MATTER AND WE WOULD ALL APPRECIATE IT IF IT COULD BE RESPECTED AS SUCH.
TONY:I SEE.I DON'T SUPPOSE ANYONE HAS HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE FUNERAL YET?
ELIZABETH:WE'VE SPOKEN TO THE SPENCER FAMILY, AND IT'S THEIR WISH.THEIR EXPRESS WISH, THAT IT SHOULD BE A PRIVATE FUNERAL.WITH A MEMORIAL SERVICE TO FOLLOW IN A MONTH, OR SO.
TONY:RIGHT.
ELIZABETH:GIVEN THAT DIANA WAS NO LONGER A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RESPECT THEIR WISHES.
TONY:I SEE.YOU DON'T FEEL THAT IN VIEW OF HER HIGH PROFILE AND POPULARITY.
ELIZABETH:AS I SAID.THAT'S THE SPENCERS' WISH.
TONY:YOU DON'T THINK A PRIVATE FUNERAL WOULD BE DENYING THEM A CHANCE.
ELIZABETH:HANCE TO WHAT.?
TONY:TO SHARE IN THE GRIEF?
ELIZABETH:IT'S A FAMILY FUNERAL, MR.BLAIR.NOT A FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION.I THINK THE PRINCESS HAS ALREADY PAID A HIGH ENOUGH PRICE FOR EXPOSURE TO THE PRESS, DON'T YOU? NOW, IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE I MUST GET ON.THE CHILDREN HAVE TO BE LOOKED AFTER.
TONY:OF COURSE.GOODBYE, YOUR MAJESTY.HER INSTINCT IS TO DO NOTHING.SAY NOTHING.AND GIVE HER A PRIVATE FUNERAL.
CHERIE:ARE YOU SURPRISED? SHE HATED HER GUTS.
TONY:WELL, I THINK IT'S A MISTAKE.THEY SCREWED UP HER LIFE.LET'S HOPE THEY DON'T SCREW UP HER DEATH.
ELIZABETH:THE CHAPLAIN CALLED.WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER HE SHOULD MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE SERVICE OR MAKE SPECIAL MENTION OF DIANA.I TOLD HIM HE SHOULDN'T CHANGE A THING
PRINCE PHILIP:WHAT DID YOU SAY?
QUEEN MOTHER:Q
ELIZABETH:I THINK THE LESS FUSS ONE MAKES, OR DRAWS ATTENTION TO IT, THE BETTER.SHE LOWERS HER VOICE, AS THE PRINCES APPROACH FROM THE SALOON WITH FOR THE BOYS.
QUEEN MOTHER:YES.
ELIZABETH:AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY ARRANGE SOME COMPANY FOR THEM.SOME YOUNG PEOPLE.
PRINCE PHILIP:I'LL TAKE THEM FOR A LONG WALK THIS AFTERNOON.UP CRAGGY HEAD.
ELIZABETH:GOOD.THEY'D LIKE THAT.BUT NO GUNS.IT'S SUNDAY.
AIDE:ALASTAIR? HE'S ON.
TONY:E ARE TODAY A NATION IN A STATE OF SHOCK, IN MOURNING, IN GRIEF THAT IS SO DEEPLY PAINFUL TO US.PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST HERE IN BRITAIN, KEPT FAITH WITH PRINCESS DIANA.
TONY (ON TV):THEY LIKED HER, THEY LOVED HER, THEY REGARDED HER AS ONE OF THE PEOPLE.SHE WAS THE PEOPLE'S PRINCESS, AND THAT IS HOW SHE WILL STAY, HOW SHE WILL REMAIN IN HOUR HEARTS AND MEMORIES FOREVER.
JANVRIN:A BIT OVER THE TOP, DON'T YOU THINK?
PRIEST:NOTRE PERE QUI ES AUX CIEUX, QUE TON NOM SOIT SANCTIFIE, QUE TON REGNE VIENNE, QUE TA VOLONTE SOIT FAITE,
CLINTON (ON TV):I'LL ALWAYS BE GLAD I KNEW THE PRINCESS, AND HOPE EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT HER TWO FINE SONS AND HELP THEM HAVE THE LIFE AND THE FUTURE SHE WOULD WANT.
MANDELA (ON TV):I HAD THE HONOUR OF HOSTING HER A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN SHE VISITED OUR COUNTRY, AND I WAS TREMENDOUSLY IMPRESSED BY HER.
IDE:LORD AIRLIE.
IDE:THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN.IN CHARGE OF THE FUNERAL.YOU'RE MEETING HIM AT THE AIRPORT.
TONY:LORD AIRLIE.
AIRLIE:PRIME MINISTER.I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING ALL ROYAL CEREMONIAL EVENTS.AND THERE'S SIMPLY NO PRECEDENT FOR THE FUNERAL OF AN EX-HRH.
TONY:THEN PERHAPS WE SHOULD PLAN FOR ANY CONTINGENCY.
ORD AIRLIE:YES.I'VE ARRANGED A MEETING TOMORROW MORNING AT 10.00 AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE.OFFICIALS FROM ALL THREE PALACES, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SPENCER FAMILY, THE EMERGENCY SERVICES.A WOULD YOU SEND SOME OF YOUR PEOPLE?
TONY:ABSOLUTELY.OF COURSE.PREEECEDENT? WHERE DO THEY FIND THESE PEOPLE? I'M SO SORRY, SIR.AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING I OR MY GOVERNMENT CAN DO.
CHARLES:THEY STOOD UP AS WE DROVE PAST.IN CAFES.IN RESTAURANTS.REMOVED THEIR HATS.THIS WAS PARIS.ONE OF THE BUSIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.AND YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP.
TONY:I IMAGINE IT WILL BE THE SAME HERE.
CHARLES:YES.I IMAGINE IT WILL.THE PALACE WOULD STILL PREFER TO SEE IT AS A PRIVATE FUNERAL.WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON THAT?
TONY:I.
CHARLES:SO DO I.MY MOTHER.THE QUEEN, COMES FROM A GENERATION NOT BEST EQUIPPED TO.SHE GREW UP IN THE WAR.I THINK WHAT WE NEED, WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS IS TO BE LED BY SOMEONE."OF TODAY".IF YOU FOLLOW? BALMORAL IS.
TONY:I THINK I UNDERSTAND.
ELIZABETH:HAVE WE HEARD FROM THE SPENCERS AGAIN? HAVE THEY MADE UP THEIR MINDS WHEN THE FUNERAL WILL BE?
QUEEN MOTHER:NOT ME.NO ONE TELLS ME ANYTHING.WHAT? REALLY? WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE THAT BIG ON THIS ESTATE IN YEARS.
ELIZABETH:WHAT? STALKING? I'M SORRY, I CAN'T BEAR IT.GETS TO HER I'M GOING TO BED.
LORD AIRLIE:RIGHT.IT'S TEN O'CLOCK.LET'S MAKE A START.THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AT SUCH NOTICE.I THINK WE ALL AGREE THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY SENSITIVE OCCASION WHICH PRESENTS US WITH TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES LOGISTICALLY.
ALASTAIR:OH, CHRIST.
TONY:".AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF OPPOSITION, OF FRUSTRATION AND DESPAIR, I AM PROUD, PRIVILEGED, TO STAND BEFORE YOU AS THE NEW PRIME MINISTER."
IDE:LABOUR PRIME MINISTER.
TONY:"I WANT TO SET AN AMBITIOUS COURSE TO MODERNISE THIS COUNTRY.TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO OUR INSTITUTIONS.TO MAKE PRIVILEGE SOMETHING FOR THE MANY, NOT THE FEW.SO THAT WE BECOME NOTHING LESS THAN A BEACON TO THE WORLD."
ALASTAIR:BLOODY HELL! YOU THINK THE ROYALS ARE NUTTERS! YOU SHOULD MEET THEIR FLUNKEYS! TWO AND A HALF-HOURS ON WHETHER SHE SHOULD BE CARRIED IN A HEARSE OR A GUN-CARRIAGE.ANYWAY, RAVES IN THE PRESS.THIS LOT CALL YOU "THE NATION'S MOURNER IN CHIEF", THIS LOT SAY YOU'RE "THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS CORRECTLY JUDGED THE MOOD OF THE COUNTRY".EVEN THE "MAIL".WAS IMPRESSED."PEOPLE'S PRINCESS", MATE.YOU OWE ME.
AIDE:GORDON FOR YOU.
TONY:TELL HIM TO HANG ON.
ALASTAIR:YES.ON SATURDAY.A WHOPPER.THE ABBEY.THE WORKS.
TONY:GOOD.HAS ANYONE TOLD THE QUEEN YET?
ALASTAIR:DUNNO.NO DOUBT SOME FLUNKEY WILL BE DESPATCHED.GROVELLING ON ALL FOURS.
JANVRIN:GOOD MORNING, MA'AM.
ANVRIN:.MA'AM.
ELIZABETH:WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU, ROBIN?
JANVRIN:MA'AM, THERE WAS A MEETING AT THE PALACE THIS MORNING.
ELIZABETH:ABOUT THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, YES.
JANVRIN:THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN FAXED OVER THESE PLANS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER.THERE IS NOW GENERAL AGREEMENT, MA'AM, THAT A PUBLIC FUNERAL WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
ELIZABETH:I SEE.AND WHAT FORM WILL IT TAKE?
JANVRIN:AT THE MOMENT, THEY'RE SUGGESTING.AND OF COURSE THESE ARE EARLY DAYS.
QUEEN MOTHER:TAY BRIDGE.?
ELIZABETH:WHAT.?
QUEEN MOTHER:B-BUT THAT'S THE CODE NAME FOR MY FUNERAL? J
JANVRIN:NDEED, MA'AM.BUT IT WOULD BE FOR PRACTICAL REASONS ONLY.IT'S THE ONLY ONE WHICH HAS BEEN."REHEARSED".THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD BE PUT TOGETHER.IN TIME.
QUEEN MOTHER:BUT I SUPERVISED THOSE PLANS MYSELF.
JANVRIN:INDEED, AND THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN WAS AT PAINS TO STRESS THE SPIRIT OF THE OCCASION WILL BE QUITE DIFFERENT.A FOR EXAMPLE, IN PLACE OF FOUR HUNDRED SOLDIERS MARCHING BEHIND THE COFFIN, THE SUGGESTION IS THAT FOUR HUNDRED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRINCESS'S VARIOUS CHARITIES MARCH BEHIND THE COFFIN.
ELIZABETH:I SEE.
JANVRIN:AND THAT INSTEAD OF FOREIGN HEADS OF STATE AND CROWN HEADS OF EUROPE, THE GUESTS WOULD INCLUDE A SPRINKLING OF ACTORS OF STAGE AND SCREEN, FASHION DESIGNERS AND OTHER.CELEBRITIES.
QUEEN MOTHER:CELEBRITIES.?
ELIZABETH:OH.
JANVRIN:O, MA'AM.OH, YES.ONE OTHER THING.THE POLICE COMMISSIONER WAS KEEN THAT YOU CONSIDER THE IDEA OF A CONDOLENCE BOOK.IT WOULD GIVE THE GROWING CROWDS SOMETHING TO DO.MAKE MARSHALLING THEM EASIER.
ELIZABETH:YES, OF COURSE.
JANVRIN:OH, AND THE FLOWERS.
ELIZABETH:WHAT FLOWERES?
JARVIN:THE FLOWERS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE.CURRENTLY THEY'RE BLOCKING THE PATH THROUGH THE MAIN GATE, AND WILL MAKE THINGS DIFFUCULT FOR THE CHANGING OF THE GAURD.
ELIZABETH:FINE.THEN MOVE THEM AWAY.
JANVRIN:ACTUALLY, THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN WAS WONDERING WHETHER WE SHOULDN'T LEAVE THE FLOWERS, AND SEND THE GUARDS THROUGH THE NORTH GATE.
ELIZABETH:YE-ES.OF COURSE.QUITE RIGHT.
AIDE:TEPHEN LAMPORT ON ONE.
TONY:WHO?
AIDE:THE PRINCE OF WALES'S PRIVATE SECRETARY.IN BALMORAL.COVERING HE SAID IT WAS URGENT.
TONY:OOD AFTERNOON.
LAMPORT:GOOD AFTERNOON, PRIME MINISTER.THE PRINCE OF WALES WANTED ME TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR KIND WORDS YESTERDAY.
TONY:NOT AT ALL.
LAMPORT:HE FEELS YOU AND HE.ARE MODERN MEN.OF SIMILAR MIND.WHO COULD WORK WELL TOGETHER AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
TONY:WELL, PLEASE THANK HIS HIGHNESS, AND ASSURE HIM THAT HE CAN COUNT ON MY FULL SUPPORT.AT ALL TIMES.WAS THAT IT?
LAMPORT:YES.
AIDE:WHAT?
TONY:CREEPING UP TO ME LIKE THIS.HE DID IT AT THE AIRPORT WHEN HE ASKED ME TO "DEAL" WITH HIS MOTHER.
AIDE:ECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT IF THE QUEEN CONTINUES TO GET IT WRONG OVER DIANA, IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THE ROYALS BECOME PUBLIC ENEMY NO 1.
TONY:WHO, CHARLES?
AIDE:HIS PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ONTO US ASKING FOR EXTRA PROTECTION.
TONY:WHAT? SO IT'S OK FOR HIS MOTHER TO TAKE THE BULLET, NOT HIM? SHAKES WHAT A FAMILY.
CHARLES:WAIT! WHERE ARE THEY?
ELIZABETH:UP AT CRAIGGHEAD.
CHARLES:I'LL COME WITH YOU.
ELIZABETH:CERTAINLY NOT.
CHARLES:I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO GET A NEW
ELIZABETH:WHAT FOR? IT'S PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT.
CHARLES:I WAS THINKING LAST NIGHT WHAT DIANA MIGHT HAVE DONE HAD IT BEEN ME THAT DIED IN THE TUNNEL IN PARIS.SHE WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE TAKEN THE BOYS TO PARIS.I RATHER REGRET NOT DOING THAT NOW.
ELIZABETH:WHAT? AND EXPOSE THEM TO THE MEDIA? IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DREADFUL THING TO DO.THEY'RE MUCH BETTER OFF HERE.
CHARLES:LOOK, WHATEVER ELSE YOU MAY HAVE THOUGHT OF DIANA - SHE WAS A WONDERFUL MOTHER.A SHE ADORED THOSE BOYS.AND NEVER LET THEM FORGET IT.A ALWAYS WARM.AND PHYSICAL.A NEVER AFRAID TO SHOW HER FEELINGS.
ELIZABETH:ESPECIALLY WHENEVER A PHOTOGRAPHER WAS IN SIGHT.
CHARLES:YES, SHE MAY HAVE ENCOURAGED ALL THAT, BUT STILL.
ELIZABETH:NOT "US", DEAR.
CHARLES:WHAT? YESTERDAY, WHEN WE DROVE THE COFFIN BACK INTO LONDON, THERE WAS A NOISE.A BANG.I DON'T MIND TELLING YOU I THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN.
ELIZABETH:WHY DON'T YOU GO ON WITHOUT ME? I'M GOING TO WALK BACK.
CHARLES:ARE YOU SURE?
ELIZABETH:YES.IT LOOKS LIKE RAIN.AND I'M NOT IN THE MOOD FOR STALKING ANYWAY.WAIT! MY SHOE-LACE IS UNDONE.YOU DON'T WANT ME TO TRIP AND HURT MYSELF, DO YOU? A YOU WOULDN'T GET ANY PROPER WALKS THEN.RIGHT.DONE.NOW WHO KNOWS THE WAY HOME? YOU CLEVER THINGS! I SPOKE TO CHARLES THIS AFTERNOON.WHO WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO SHARE WITH ME HIS VIEWS ON MOTHERHOOD.
PRINCESS PHILIP:WHAT DID HE SAY?
ELIZABETH:HOW WONDERFUL DIANA WAS.
PRINCE PHILIP:THAT'S CHANGING HIS TUNE.
ELIZABETH:WHAT A NATURAL.
PRINCE PHILIP:OH, FOR GOD'S SAKE.
ELIZABETH:MAYBE HE'S GOT A POINT.MAYBE WE ARE PARTLY TO BLAME.
PRINCE PHILIP:I CAN'T WATCH THIS.
ELIZABETH:NO, WAIT.LEAVE IT.
DIANA (ON TV):"EVERY STRONG WOMAN IN HISTORY HAS HAD TO WALK DOWN A SIMILAR PATH."
ELIZABETH:WE ENCOURAGED THE MATCH.AND SIGNED OFF ON IT.BOTH OF US.A YOU WERE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC, REMEMBER.
PRINCE PHILIP:SHE WAS A NICE GIRL.THEN.
DIANA (ON TV):"AND I THINK IT'S THIS STRENGTH THAT CAUSES THE CONFUSION AND THE FEAR."
PRINCE PHILIP:AND I WAS SURE HE'D GIVE THE OTHER ONE.ISN'T THAT EVERYONE DOES?
ELIZABETH:IS IT?
DIANA (ON TV):"WHY IS SHE STRONG? WHERE IS SHE GETTING IT FROM? WHERE IS SHE GOING TO TAKE IT? HOW IS SHE GOING TO USE IT?"
TONY:WHAT?
CHERIE:I DON'T KNOW.SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING.MAYBE THIS TIME PEOPLE HAVE FINALLY SEEN THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE.
TONY:WHICH IS?
CHERIE:A BUNCH OF FREELOADING, EMOTIONALLY RETARDED.NUTTERS.
TONY:THAT'S JUST ABSURD.
CHERIE:WHY? THEY EXIST IN A LUDICROUS COCOON OF PRIVILEGE AND WEALTH.THEY DON'T PAY TAX.
TONY:YES, THEY DO.
CHERIE:THE QUEEN ALONE COSTS US WHAT? THIRTY, FORTY MILLION A YEAR.
TONY:OT YOU, TOO.LOOK.IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.
CHERIE:I DO.
TONY:.ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION.
CHERIE:E DON'T HAVE ONE.
TONY:.OR ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH WE AS A GOVERNMENT COULD BEGIN TO PHASE OUT HEREDITARY PRIVILEGES, THEN FINE.
CHERIE:IF YOU'RE GOING, TAKE THE DISHES.
TONY:BUT SPARE ME THE WHOLE."OFF WITH THEIR HEADS" THING.
CHERIE:WHY?
TONY:BECAUSE IT INSULTS YOUR INTELLIGENCE.
CHERIE:"THE CASE FOR REFORM IS SIMPLE AND OBVIOUS.IT IS IN PRINCIPLE WRONG AND ABSURD THAT PEOPLE SHOULD WIELD POWER ON THE BASIS OF BIRTH, NOT MERIT OR ELECTION." YOUR WORDS, NOT MINE.
TONY:WELL, MAYBE NOW I'VE GROWN UP.A IT'S UNIMAGINABLE THIS COUNTRY BEING A REPUBLIC.CERTAINLY IN HER LIFETIME.
CHERIE:WHY?
TONY:BECAUSE.NO WOULD WOULD WEAR IT.NO ONE WANTS IT.
CHERIE:IT'S NOT A MOTHER THING, IS IT?
CHERIE:THINK ABOUT IT.IF SHE WERE STILL ALIVE, WOULDN'T HAZEL BE EXACTLY THE SAME AGE? WHENEVER YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR MOTHER, YOU MENTION HER STOICISM.HER FRUGALITY.HER SENSE OF DUTY.THE FACT SHE WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE WAY.WELL C'MON.? WHO DOES THAT SOUND LIKE?
TONY:I'M GOING TO DO THE WASHING-UP.F
ALASTAIR:ALL RIGHT, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE PALACE HAS AGREED TO VIDEO SCREENS IN THE ROYAL PARKS.
TONY:AND THE BAD NEWS?
ALASTAIR:CRASH BARRIERS.
TONY:WHAT ABOUT THEM?
ALASTAIR:HEY'RE NOW PREDICTING MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE WILL DESCEND ON LONDON, AND THERE AREN'T ENOUGH BARRIERS TO LINE THE ROUTE.SO WE'VE GONE CAP IN HAND TO THE FRENCH FOR THEIRS.AND THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE.CAN WE RUN THAT PIECE AGAIN? YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS.
TONY:LOOK, I KNOW ALL THIS.
ALASTAIR:THERE!
TONY:DON'T TELL ME.THERE ISN'T A FLAG FLYING AT HALF MAST ABOVE BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
TONY:GOD.WILL SOMEONE SAVE THESE PEOPLE FROM THEMSELVES.FINE.I'LL CALL BALMOAL.
ALASTAIR:"PLANET ZOG"?
TONY:BECAUSE AS PRIME MINISTER OF THIS COUNTRY, I'VE REALLY GOT NOTHING BETTER TO DO.
ELIZABETH:THOSE FIRE-LIGHTERS NO GOOD? CARRYING TUPPERWARE I BROUGHT SOME STEW JUST IN CASE.I THINK IT'S LAMB.WE COULD ALWAYS HAVE THAT COLD.
PRINCE PHILIP:NO, WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
ELIZABETH:ROBIN HAD A CALL FROM THE PRIME MINISTER.WHO EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN.
PRINCE PHILIP:ABOUT WHAT?
ELIZABETH:THE FLAG ABOVE BUCKINGHAM PALACE.HE THINKS IT SHOULD BE FLYING AT HALF- MAST.
PRINCE PHILIP:THEN I HOPE ROBIN TOLD HIM THERE ISN'T A FLAG ABOVE BUCKINGHAM PALACE.ONLY THE ROYAL STANDARD, WHICH FLIES FOR ONE REASON ONLY.TO DENOTE THE PRESENCE OF MONARCH.SINCE YOU'RE HERE, THE FLAG POLE IS BARE.WHICH IS AS IT SHOULD BE.
CHARLES:ISN'T IT POSSIBLE.THAT TO SOME PEOPLE.THE ROYAL STANDARD IS JUST.A FLAG? AND THAT THE FLAP POLE BEING BARE SENDS OUT THE WRONG SIGNAL.
ELIZABETH:THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
PRINCE PHILIP:THE POINT IS IT'S MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED YEARS OLD.IT HAS NEVER BEEN LOWERED FOR ANYONE.
QUEEN MOTHER:YOUR GRANDFATHER DIDN'T GET THAT FLAG AT HALF-MAST WHEN HE DIED AND IF YOUR MOTHER WERE TO DIE TOMORROW, SHE WOULDN'T GET IT EITHER.
CHARLES:YES.BUT SOMETIMES.IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.ONE HAS TO BE FLEXIBLE.IT IS JUST A FLAG.
ELIZABETH:"WHAT ABOUT THE UNION JACK?", WAS MR.BLAIR'S NEXT SUGGESTION.
QUEEN MOTHER:OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.
PRINCESS FILIP:THE NEXT THING HE'LL BE SUGGESTING YOU CHANGE YOUR NAME TO HILDA AND MINE TO HECTOR? WHO DOE'S HE THINKS HE'S TALKING TO? YOU'RE THE SOVEREIGN.THE HEAD OF STATE.YOU DON'T GET DEDICATED TO.YOU'VE CONCEDED THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC FUNERAL.YOU'VE OPENED UP THE PARKS.THAT'S ENOUGH.
ELIZABETH:LIKE THOSE CONDOLENCE BOOKS.
PRINCE FILLIP:QUITE RIGHT.WHEN WE'VE STARTED WITH ONE, EVERYONE PRIDICTED THEY WOULD GROW AND GROW.BUT WE'VE HEARD NOTHING MORE ABOUT THAT, SEE?
CHARLES:APPARENTLY THERE ARE NOW FIFTEEN.
ELIZABETH:WHAT.?
CHARLES:AND PEOPLE ARE QUEUING THROUGH THE NIGHT.IN ONE SENSE ITS COMFORTING.A FOR THE FIRST TIME MY PARENTS CAN SEE WHAT IT'S BEEN LIKE FOR ME ALL THESE YEARS, BEING UP AGAINST HER POPULARITY.BUT THEY'RE STILL MAKING THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THE DIANA THEY KNEW FROM LIVING AND DEALING WITH HER, WILL EVENTUALLY BE THE ONE SEEN BY THE PUBLIC.BUT IT'S NOT.THE TWO DIANAS, THEIRS AND OURS, BEAR NO RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER AT ALL.I'VE BEEN THINKING IS THE FLAG FLYING AT HALF MAST OVER MY HOUSE AT HIGHGROVE?
LAMPORT:YES, SIR.
CHARLES:MAKE SURE WE GET A PICTURE OF THAT IN THE PAPERS, WOULD YOU? IF MY MOTHER WANTS TO MAKE A MESS OF THIS, THAT'S HER BUSINESS.A I WON'T LET HER DRAG ME DOWN, TOO.SEE? IT ISN'T JUST ME.
TONY:WHAT?
CHERIE:PEOPLE REALLY DO WANT CHANGE.AND WANT YOU TO GIVE IT TO THEM.
TONY:AND DO WHAT? CUT OFF THEIR HEADS?
CHERIE:APPARENTLY, ONE IN SIX PEOPLE NOW SUPPORT THE IDEA OF GETTING RID OF THE MONARCHY.
TONY:THAT'S JUST THE PAPERS SPOILING FOR A FIGHT.
CHERIE:BUT STILL, IMAGINE THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT THEM? WITH A NICE ELECTED HEAD OF STATE? A THAT'D BE SOME LEGACY.IF THE REVOLUTION WERE TO HAPPEN ON YOUR WATCH.
JANVRIN:THAT'S THE STALKING PARTY OFF? RIGHT, WE'D BETTER HAVE A LOOK AT THESE PAPERS.
SECRETARY:IT PROVES, THE ROYALS ARE NOT LIKE US", THE MIRROR."TIME TO CHANGE THE OLD GUARD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE".EXPRESS.
JANVRIN:GOD.
SECRETARY:SHOW US THERE'S A HEART IN THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR, SAYS THE SUN.ONE CAN'T HELP WONDERING WHO'S ADVICE THEY ARE TAKING FOR IT'S CLEARLY THE WRONG ADVICE.
JANVRIN:RIGHT.
TONY:PEOPLE HAVE BEEN YEARNING FOR A CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY." GOOD."THE RESULT IS A QUIET REVOLUTION NOW TAKING PLACE.LED BY THE REAL MODERNISERS.THE BRITISH PEOPLE.REVOLUTION'? NOT YOU, TOO? TAILS WHO WROTE THIS? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
AIDE:WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? AIDE:JUST LOOK AT THE PAPERS.TALK TO PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.SOMETHING'S HAPPENING OUT THERE.
TONY:REVOLUTION.RIGHT.YOU LOT.OUT.
AIDE:WHAT ABOUT THE SPEECH?
TONY:LATER.
JANVRIN:AND FINALLY, MA'AM, A DSO MEDAL.A CORPORAL, IN KOSOVO.YOU MAY HAVE READ ABOUT IT IN THE PAPERS.PULLED TWO CIVILIANS FROM A BUS AFTER A BOMB BLAST.
PRINCE PHILIPS:HURRY UP, DEAR.GETTING COLD.
JANVRIN:YES, MA'AM.JUST THE LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO THE WIDOW OF THE AMBASSADOR TO BRAZIL.
ELIZABETH:GOOD.
JANVRIN:MA'AM, APPARENTLY THE PRIME MINISTER IS ON THE PHONE FOR YOU.
PRINCE PHILIP:TELL HIM TO CALL BACK.
ELIZABETH:NO, I'D BETTER TAKE IT.PRIME MINISTER?
TONY:GOOD AFTERNOON, YOUR MAJESTY.I'M SORRY TO DISTURB.I WAS JUST WONDERING.WHETHER YOU'D SEEN ANY OF TODAY'S PAPERS?
ELIZABETH:WE'VE MANAGED TO LOOK AT ONE OR TWO, YES.
TONY:IN WHICH CASE, MY NEXT QUESTION WOULD BE - WHETHER YOU FELT SOME KIND OF RESPONSE MIGHT BE NECESSARY? UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES I WOULD AGREE, BUT.P
PRINCE PHILIP:HERE WE GO! THE BLOODY FLAG AGAIN.!
TONY:MY ADVISERS HAVE BEEN TAKING THE TEMPERATURE AMONG PEOPLE ON THE STREETS - AND THE INFORMATION I'M GETTING IS THAT THE MOOD.IS QUITE DELICATE.
PRINCE PHILIP:OF COURSE.THAT'S WHERE ALL THE RUDDY CAMERAS ARE.
ELIZABETH:SO WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST, PRIME MINISTER? SOME KIND OF STATEMENT?
TONY:NO, MA'AM.I BELIEVE THE MOMENT FOR STATEMENTS HAS PASSED.
PRINCE PHILIP:SEE!
TONY:I WOULD SUGGEST FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-MAST ABOVE BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
TONY:AND COMING DOWN TO LONDON AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.IT WOULD BE A GREAT COMFORT TO YOUR PEOPLE AND WOULD HELP THEM WITH THEIR GRIEF.
ELIZABETH:THEIR GRIEF? IF YOU'RE SUGGESTING THAT I DROP EVERYTHING AND COME DOWN TO LONDON BEFORE I ATTEND TO TWO BOYS THAT HAVE JUST LOST THEIR MOTHER.YOU'RE MISTAKEN.
PRINCE PHILIP:ABSURD.
ELIZABETH:I DOUBT THERE ARE MANY WHO KNOW THE BRITISH MORE THAN I DO, MR.BLAIR, NOR WHO HAS GREATER FAITH IN THEIR WISDOM AND JUDGEMENT.AND IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THEY WILL SOON REJECT THIS "MOOD" WHICH HAS BEEN STIRRED UP BY THE PRESS.IN FAVOUR OF A PERIOD OF RESTRAINED GRIEF, AND SOBER, PRIVATE MOURNING.A THAT'S THE WAY WE DO THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY.QUIETLY.WITH DIGNITY.IT'S WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS ALWAYS ADMIRED US FOR.
TONY:WELL, IF THAT'S YOUR DECISION, MA'AM, OF COURSE THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT IT.
ELIZABETH:YES.COULD HARDLY BE LESS LET'S.
SECRETARY:ROBIN JANVRIN ON ONE.A HE MUST HAVE BEEN LISTENING IN.
TONY:MR JANVRIN?
JANVRIN:PRIME MINISTER, I UNDERSTAND HOW "DIFFICULT" HER BEHAVIOUR MUST SEEM TO YOU.HOW "UNHELPFUL".BUT TRY TO SEE IT FROM HER PERSPECTIVE.SHE'S BEEN BROUGHT UP TO BELIEVE ITS GOD'S WILL THAT SHE IS WHO SHE IS.
TONY:I THINK WE SHOULD LEAVE GOD OUT OF IT.IT'S JUST NOT HELPFUL.
JANVRIN:SHE WON'T HAVE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS SINCE THE ABDICATION.A
TONY:ALL RIGHT - BUT FIRST WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE TERRIBLE HEADLINES.I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH THE PRESS.
JANVRIN:I'M MOST GRATEFUL, PRIME MINISTER.
TONY:BUT I CAN'T PROMISE ANYTHING.IT'S NOT ME THEY WANT TO SEE.ASK ALISTAIR TO COME AND SEE ME WILL YOU.AND CANCEL WHATEVER I'M DOING TONIGHT.
ELIZABETH:OH.OH, YOU ARE STUPID.HELLO? COULD YOU PUT ME THROUGH TO THE GHILLIES' OFFICE?
HEAD GHILLIE:ARE YOU SURE, MA'AM?
ELIZABETH:YES, PERFECTLY.THE FRONT ONE, NOT THE REAR.I'VE LOST THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.YOU FORGET I WORKED AS A MECHANIC IN THE WAR.
HEAD GHILLIE:AND ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
ELIZABETH:YES, PERFECTLY, THANK YOU.I'M SO SORRY TO WASTE YOUR TIME.
HEAD GHILLIE:WE'LL COME OUT STRAIGHTAWAY.
ELIZABETH:OH, WILL YOU? YOU ARE KIND.THANK YOU.A I'LL WAIT BY THE CAR.OH, YOU ARE A BEAUTY.
CHERIE:I'VE JUST BEEN TOLD THERE ARE NEWS CREWS OUTSIDE WAITING FOR YOU TO COME AND "SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE."
TONY:YES.
CHERIE:WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?
TONY:I TOLD THE QUEEN'S PRIVATE SECRETARY I'D DO WHAT I COULD TO HELP WITH THE PRESS.
CHERIE:WHY? DON'T YOU THINK SHE DESERVES IT? SITTING UP THERE ON HER 40,000 ACRES.
TONY:I KNOW.BUT ALLOWING HER TO HANG HERSELF MIGHT NOT BE IN OUR BEST INTERESTS EITHER.BESIDES, I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING.UGLY ABOUT THE WAY EVERYONE'S STARTED TO BULLY HER.
ELIZABETH:HOW ARE THE BOYS?
PRINCE PHILIP:NOT SO GOOD TONIGHT.A LOT OF SLAMMING DOORS.I THINK THEY SAW THE PAPERS.
ELIZABETH:OH, NO.
PRINCE PHILIP:I'LL TAKE THEM OUT EARLY AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING.WHAT? AND THE HISTERIC.OH, PLEASE, SLEPPING IN THE STREETS AND PUULING OUT HAIR FOR SOMEONE THEY NEVER KNEW? SO IT'S VITAL YOU HOLD FIRM.STICK TO YOUR GUNS.YOU WAIT.THEY WILL COME TO THEIR SENSES SOON.A THEY HAVE TO.
TELEVISION PRESENTER:IT'S SIX O'CLOCK.TIME FOR A LOOK AT THE MORNING'S NEWSPAPERS.JENNY.
JENNY:GOOD MORNING.WELL IF YOU THOUGHT YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES FOR THE ROYALS COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE - THINK AGAIN.
ALASTAIR:THE SUN, WHERE IS THE QUEEN? WHERE IS HER FLAG? BLIMEY! BUT THE FLIP-SIDE IS."BLAIR MORE POPULAR THAN CHURCHILL SHOCK."
TONY:DID ANY OF THEM PICK UP ON OUR STATEMENT OF SUPPORT?
ALASTAIR:JUST ONE.
TONY:RIGHT.
JANVRIN:THE PRIME MINISTER FOR YOU, MA'AM.I'M AFRAID HE'S RATHER INSISTING.
ELIZABETH:ALL RIGHT.I'LL TAKE IT HERE.A IN THE KITCHENS.GOOD MORNING, PRIME MINISTER.
TONY:GOOD MORNING, MA'AM.
ELIZABETH:YES, I HAVE.
TONY:THEN I'M SURE YOU'LL AGREE.THE SITUATION HAS BECOME QUITE CRITICAL.AS YOUR PRIME MINISTER, I BELIEVE IT'S MY CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE THE FOLLOWING.
ELIZABETH:IS QUEEN ELIZABETH UP YET? MUMMY? ONE - LOWER THE FLAG TO HALF-MAST ABOVE BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND ALL OTHER ROYAL RESIDENCES.TWO - LEAVE BALMORAL, AND FLY DOWN TO LONDON AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.THREE - PAY RESPECTS IN PERSON AT DIANA'S COFFIN.AND FOUR - MAKE A STATEMENT VIA LIVE TELEVISION TO MY PEOPLE AND THE WORLD.
QUEEN MOTHER:BVIOUSLY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TALK TO THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN ABOUT ALL THIS.
ELIZABETH:I HAVE.
QUEEN MOTHER:AND TO ROBERT FELLOWES.
ELIZABETH:TO HIM TOO.
QUEEN MOTHER:AND.? I SEE.
ELIZABETH:SOMETHING'S HAPPENED.THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE.A SHIFT OF VALUES.
QUEEN MOTHER:CERTAINLY NOT! REMEMBER THE OATH YOU TOOK
ELIZABETH:"I DECLARE THAT MY WHOLE LIFE, WHETHER IT BE LONG OR SHORT, SHALL BE DEVOTED TO YOUR SERVICE."
QUEEN MOTHER:YOUR WHOLE LIFE.THAT'S A COMMITMENT TO GOD AS WELL AS YOUR PEOPLE.
ELIZABETH:BUT IF MY ACTIONS ARE DAMAGING THE CROWN?
QUEEN MOTHER:DAMAGING THEM? MY DEAR, YOU ARE THE GREATEST ASSET THIS INSTITUTION HAS.ONE OF THE GREATEST IT HAS EVER HAD.THE PROBLEM WILL COME WHEN YOU LEAVE, BUT THAT'S NOT FOR YOU TO WORRY ABOUT - AND CERTAINLY NOT TODAY.
ELIZABETH:MUMMY.IT'S JUST NO ONE SEEMS TO VALUE TRADITION OR CONSTANCY ANY MORE.IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOW.ABOUT WEARING YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE.
QUEEN MOTHER:AND YOU'RE NOT LIKE THAT.NEVER HAVE BEEN.NO.YOU MUST SHOW STRENGTH.RE- ASSERT YOUR AUTHORITY.YOU SIT ON THE MOST POWERFUL THRONE IN EUROPE.HEAD OF AN UNBROKEN LINE THAT GOES BACK MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS.HOW MANY OF YOUR PREDECESSORS DO YOU IMAGINE WOULD HAVE DROPPED EVERYTHING AND GONE DOWN TO LONDON BECAUSE PEOPLE HOLDING CANDLES WANTED HELP WITH THEIR GRIEF? THE QUEEN MOTHER'S TIRADE CONTINUES, BUT THE QUEEN IS NOT LISTENING.SHE KNOWS SHE HAS A DECISION TO MAKE.AND AS FOR MR BLAIR AND HIS CHESHIRE CAT GRIN.
GHILLIE:MR JANVRIN FOR YOU SIR.
PRINCE PHILIP:YES ROBIN.? WHAT? IT'S MADNESS! THE WHOLW THING! BLOODY MADNESS!
CHARLES:I'VE JUST BEEN TOLD.YOU'VE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO LONDON.I JUST WANT TO SAY - I ADMIRE.I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION.IT SEEMS WE ARE GOING BACK TO LONDON.LET'S HOPE WE HAVEN'T LEFT IT TOO LATE.
NEWS READER:WE ARE JUST GETTING SOME PICTURES NOW FROM BALMORAL.THESE ARE RATHER HISTORIC SHOTS.CLEARLY THE QUEEN HAS RESPONDED TO CRITICISM THAT THE ROYAL FAMILY IS NOT ENGAGED.
TONY:THANK GOD FOR THAT.BE RIGHT THERE.
CHERIE:I'M AFRAID THEY'RE A BIT BURNED.
PRINCE PHILIP:WHERE ARE THE BOYS? HAVE THEY ALREADY LEFT?
ELIZABETH:YES.THEY LEFT FOR LONDON AFTER BREAKFAST.WITH CHARLES.
PRINCE PHILIP:IT'S NOT RIGHT, YOU KNOW
ELIZABETH:YES, BUT FURTHER DISCUSSION IS NO LONGER HELPFUL EITHER.
PRINCE PHILIP:OH, WELL.I SUPPOSE IT GIVES THE TIME TO FIND A NEW STAG FOR THE BOYS NOW THEIRS HAS BEEN SHOT.
ELIZABETH:WHAT?
PRINCE PHILIP:HAVEN'T YOU HEARD? IT WANDERED ONTO ONE OF THE NEIGHBOURING ESTATES WHERE IT WAS SHOT BY ONE OF THE COMMERCIAL GUESTS.
ELIZABETH:REALLY.?
COMPBELL:HERE'S YOUR BOX.THERE'S SOME IMPORTANT POLICY UNIT STUFF ON TOP.AND YOU'VE SEEN THE PAPERS?
TONY:I'M THE PRIME MINISTER.OF COURSE I'VE SEEN THE PAPERS.
ALASTAIR:"YOUR MAJ? COME DOWN TO LONDON." "WHO SAYS SO?" "TONY BLAIR." "MR.FATHER OF THE NATION."
ELIZABETH:NO, NO.PLEASE DON'T DISTURB HIM.I'VE COME ON ANOTHER MATTER.I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND.
ELIZABETH:SHE WAS WOUNDED.VOICE LET'S HOPE HE DIDN'T SUFFER TOO MUCH.YES, ROBIN.
JANVRIN:I'VE DONE A DRAFT OF YOUR TELEVISION ADDRESS.
ELIZABETH:THANK YOU.
JANVRIN:NO, MA'AM.LANDING IN FIFTEEN MINUTES.
SECRETARY:I'VE GOT A COPY OF THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.SHALL I GIVE TONY A COPY?
ALASTAIR:LET ME HAVE A LOOK AT IT FIRST.
PRINCESS PHILIP:GOOD GOD.
ALASTAIR:THEY SENT A COPY OF THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.I MADE A COUPLE OF CHANGES.SO IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COMES FROM A HUMAN BEING.OH, AND ONE BIT OF GOOD NEWS.THE OLD BOOT'S FINALLY AGREED TO PAY RESPECTS AT DIANA'S COFFIN.
TONY:YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET IT WRONG, YOU REALLY GET IT WRONG.A THAT WOMAN HAS GIVEN HER WHOLE LIFE IN SERVICE TO HER PEOPLE - FIFTY YEARS DOING A JOB SHE NEVER WANTED - A JOB SHE WATCHED KILL HER FATHER.SHE'S EXECUTED IT WITH DIGNITY, HONOUR AND, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, WITHOUT A SINGLE BLEMISH - AND NOW WE LINE UP BAYING FOR HER BLOOD - WHY? BECAUSE SHE'S STRUGGLING TO LEAD THE WORLD IN MOURNING FOR A WOMAN WHO THREW EVERYTHING SHE OFFERED BACK IN HER FACE, AND WHO SEEMED, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, TO BE COMMITTED TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN TO DESTROY EVERYTHING SHE HOLDS DEAR.TONY STORMS OFF.
ELIZABETH:OH.HELLO.WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO PLACE THEM FOR YOU?
LITTLE GIRL:NO.
ELIZABETH:OH.
LITTLE GIRL:THERE'RE FOR YOU.
ELIZABETH:FOR ME.?
JANVRIN:YOUR MAJESTY, THERE'S A LAST MINUTE ADDITION FROM DOWNING STREET.THEY'RE SUGGESTING ADDING ".AND AS A GRANDMOTHER." HERE.
ELIZABETH:RIGHT.
JANVRIN:YOU THINK YOU CAN SAY IT?
ELIZABETH:DO I HAVE A CHOICE?
DIRECTOR:WE'RE READY FOR YOU, YOUR MAJESTY.JUST TO CONFIRM THIS IS GOING OUT LIVE.
ELIZABETH:RIGHT
DIRECTOR:AND YOU'LL BE AT THE FRONT OF THE SIX O'CLOCK NEWS ON ALL THE CHANNELS
ELIZABETH:I SEE.
FLOOR MANAGER:TEN SECONDS, EVERYONE.
ELIZABETH:SINCE LAST SATURDAY'S DREADFUL NEWS WE HAVE SEEN, THROUGHOUT BRITAIN AND THE WORLD, AN OVERWHELMING EXPRESSION OF SADNESS AT DIANA'S DEATH.WE HAVE ALL BEEN TRYING IN OUR DIFFERENT WAYS TO COPE.THE INITIAL SHOCK IS OFTEN SUCCEEDED BY A MIXTURE OF OTHER FEELINGS.DISBELIEF, INCOMPREHENSION, ANGER AND CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN.
CHERIE "HEART"? WHAT "HEART".SHE DOESN'T MEAN A WORD OF THIS.
TONY:THAT'S NOT THE POINT.WHAT SHE'S DOING IS EXTRAORDINARY.THAT'S HOW YOU SURVIVE.
CHERIE:LISTEN TO YOU! A WEEK AGO YOU WERE THE GREAT MODERNISER, MAKING SPEECHES ABOUT THE "PEOPLE'S PRINCESS", NOW YOU'VE GONE WEAK AT THE KNEES.I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M SURPRISED.IN THE END, ALL LABOUR PRIME MINISTERS GO GA- GA FOR HER MAJ.
DIRECTOR:AND WE'RE OUT.!
CHERIE:SO? OFF TO SEE YOUR GIRLFRIEND?
TONY:NOW, NOW.
CHERIE:I HOPE SHE SHOWS YOU SOME RESPECT THIS TIME.IT'S QUITE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE SHE OWES YOU.MR "SAVIOUR OF THE MONARCHY."
TONY:DOUBT SHE'LL SEE IT THAT WAY.ROBIN.GOOD TO SEE YOU.
JANVRIN:PRIME MINISTER.
TONY:TONY, PLEASE.
EQUERRY:THE PRIME MINISTER, MA'AM.
ELIZABETH:DO SIT DOWN.
TONY:THANK YOU.IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.AFTER QUITE A SUMMER.I MEANT TO TELL YOU AT THE TIME BUT YOU WERE BEING MONOPOLISED RATHER.I IMAGINE THOSE OCCASIONS ARE QUITE DIFFICULT.TWENTY-FOUR HEADS OF GOVERNMENT EACH CLAMOURING FOR A PRIVATE AUDIENCE.
TONY:ALSO, WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK SINCE THAT WEEK.AND I WANTED TO OFFER MY APOLOGIES.
ELIZABETH:WHATEVER FOR?
TONY:IN CASE YOU'D FELT "MANHANDLED" OR "MANAGED" IN ANY WAY.
ELIZABETH:NOT AT ALL.I DON'T THINK I SHALL EVER UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER.
TONY:THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE EXCEPTIONAL, MA'AM.AND IN THE END, YOU SHOWED GREAT PERSONAL STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND HUMILITY.E
ELIZABETH:OU'RE CONFUSING HUMILITY WITH HUMILIATION.
TONY:THAT'S NOT TRUE.
ELIZABETH:YOU DIDN'T HEAR WHAT THEY WERE SAYING IN THE MALL THAT FRIDAY.
TONY:I STILL BELIEVE HISTORY WILL SHOW IT WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR YOU.
ELIZABETH:AND AN EVEN BETTER ONE FOR YOU, MR BLAIR.
TONY:BUT THERE ARE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS IN A YEAR, MA'AM.AND TWO AND A HALF THOUSAND IN A HALF CENTURY.AND WHEN PEOPLE COME TO ASSESS YOUR LEGACY, NO ONE WILL REMEMBER THOSE FEW DAYS.
ELIZABETH:REALLY? YOU DON'T FEEL THAT WHAT RESPECT OR AFFECTION PEOPLE MIGHT ONCE HAVE HAD FOR.THIS INSTITUTION HAS BEEN DIMINISHED?
TONY:NOT AT ALL.
ELIZABETH:I GATHER SOME OF YOUR CLOSEST ADVISORS WERE LESS FULSOME IN THEIR SUPPORT.
TONY:ONE OR TWO.BUT AS A LEADER ONE HAS.A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.A I COULD NEVER HAVE ADDED MY VOICE TO THE CHORUS.
ELIZABETH:YOU'RE VERY KIND.BUT LET'S ALSO NOT FORGET THE MORE PRAGMATIC REASON.
TONY:WHICH IS?
ELIZABETH:THAT WITHOUT ME THERE TO DISTRACT EVERYONE, IT'D SUDDENLY BECOME EMBARRASSINGLY CLEAR HOW MUCH UNCHECKED POWER THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER ACTUALLY HAS.IF FIFTY YEARS OF DOING MY JOB HAS TAUGHT ME ANYTHING, IT IS THAT THE PEOPLE DOING YOURS GENERALLY PREFER ME WITH ALL MY FAULTS TO SOME KIND OF MEDDLING PRESIDENT.JUST LOOK AT THE FRENCH.
TONY:I AM.
ELIZABETH:GOOD.THE CLOCKS GO BACK NEXT WEEK, THEN IT'LL BE DARK BY FIVE.AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'S HOW I THINK BEST.ON MY FEET.I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE FOR SITTING AROUND ENDLESSLY.A GOOD WALK AND FRESH AIR SORTS EVERYTHING OUT.ONE IN FOUR, YOU SAID? WANTED TO GET RID OF ME? T
TONY:FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR.BUT THEN YOU CAME DOWN TO LONDON AND ALL THAT WENT AWAY.
ELIZABETH:I'VE NEVER BEEN HATED LIKE THAT BEFORE.
TONY:NO.AND THAT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT.
ELIZABETH:IT WAS.VERY.EVER SINCE DIANA PEOPLE WANT GLAMOUR AND TEARS.THE GRAND PERFORMANCE.AND I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT THAT.I PREFER TO KEEP MY FEELINGS TO MYSELF.FOOLISHLY I BELIEVED THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANTED FROM THEIR QUEEN.NOT TO MAKE A FUSS NOR WEAR ONE'S HEART ON ONE'S SLEEVE, DUTY FIRST.SELF SECOND.
ELIZABETH:IT'S HOW I WAS BROUGHT UP.IT'S ALL I'VE EVER KNOWN
TONY:ONE FORGETS.YOU WERE SO YOUNG WHEN YOU BECAME QUEEN.
ELIZABETH:I WAS.A GIRL.BUT I CAN SEE THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.AND ONE MUST 'MODERNISE'.
TONY:WELL, PERHAPS THAT'S WHERE I CAN HELP.
ELIZABETH:DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF PRIME- MINISTER, I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ADVISING YOU! SO.WHAT MIGHT WE EXPECT IN YOUR FIRST PARLIAMENT?
TONY:WELL, MA'AM, TOP OF THE LIST IS EDUCATION REFORM.WE WANT TO RADICALLY REDUCE CLASSROOM SIZES.

