Edward & Mrs. Simpson (1978): Season 1, Episode 2 - Venus at the Prow - full transcript

[ "God Save the King" plays ]

[ Up-tempo music plays ]

♫ I've danced with a man
who's danced with a girl ♫

♫ Who's danced
with the Prince of Wales ♫

♫ "It was simply grand,"
he said ♫

♫ "Topping band" ♫

♫ And she said,
"Delightful, sir" ♫

♫ Glory, glory, alleluia ♫

♫ I'm the luckiest of females ♫

♫ For I've danced with a man
who's danced with a girl ♫

♫ Who danced
with the Prince of Wales ♫



[ "God Save the King" plays ]

[ Up-tempo music plays ]

[ Crowd cheering in distance ]

Well, Liverpool seems
in good heart.

The better for seeing you, sir.

[ Slow introduction plays ]

[ "Happy Birthday to You"
plays ]

Well played and jolly well done.

[ Cheering continues ]

[ Bagpipes playing ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Osborne, would you please go
and bring in the champagne?

-Madam.
-Thank you.

She seems to think her role
is that of hostess.



Ah, ah, ah.
Sibyl, no muttering in corners.

Now come and have
a glass of champagne

and be amusing
to the rest of our guests.

Champagne, everybody!

Sir, Ernest looks a bit down.

Could you go
and say something nice to him?

Such as?

I'm fond of Ernest, Wallis,
but it isn't easy, you know.

Why don't you thank him

for the stamps he sent you
for your collection?

You're not leaving us, Chips?

With His Royal Highness's
kind permission, yes.

I have a plane to catch
early in the morning.

On Sunday?
Is it business or pleasure?

[ Chuckles ]
Neither. Family.

Routine visit.

-Very boring.
-Oh.

Well, just say to yourself,
"This day too shall pass,

as all such days will pass."

It makes the time go
much quicker.

I can't see why that should help
at all.

Well, if you say it
first thing when you get up,

and with determination, it puts
you in the right frame of mind

for enduring the rest
of the day.

Do you use this formula, Wallis?

I'm never bored, Chips,
so I don't have to.

Mmm.

[ Chuckles ]

I must be off.

This family visit too will pass,
as all such visits must pass.

-How's that?
-Not bad.

But you have to say it just
as you get up in the morning.

[ Laughs ]

-Wallis.
-Oh, I'm so sorry.

Don't be.
It's delightful.

I love to see an Englishman
on his knees before an American.

Wallis, you're forgetting
that Chips too is transatlantic.

-Good night, sweet ladies.
-Good night.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

What's this I hear about Wallis
saying she's the first woman

who's taken an interest
in his social schemes?

That's certainly the story
she puts about.

She's forgetting
Freda Dudley Ward

and all the loyal help
she gave him over many years.

Well, certainly
the Feathers clubs are hers.

But none of Mrs. Simpson's
predecessors took much interest.

Despite which, I doubt
she's the true successor --

in the full sense.

Tell me -- What odds would you
lay against her becoming so?

[ Chuckles ]

There is an obstacle --
over there by the window.

Despite which,
I'd say, uh, odds on.

Really?

[ Bagpipes playing ]

Oh, God.
Not again.

The club sandwich
is a toasted two-decker sandwich

with cold chicken, lettuce,
and mayonnaise on the bottom

and bacon,
sliced hard-boiled egg,

and more lettuce and tomato
on the top.

Indeed.
An American invention?

Yes.

-And very nice it sounds, madam.
-Yes.

I think His Royal Highness
will think so, too.

They'd make an ideal luncheon
by the pool today.

I'm sorry,

but the menus for the weekend
have already been drawn up.

Another time perhaps, madam.

Today.
Please.

♫ Love is the strongest thing ♫

♫ The oldest
yet the latest thing ♫

♫ I only hope
that fate may bring ♫

♫ Love's story to you ♫

♫ Love is the sweetest thing ♫

Lunch, Wallis.

Is anyone hungry?

WALLIS:
Diana! Duff!

I do hope they serve
my club sandwiches.

Club sandwiches?

Mm. An American specialty.
I thought you'd like them.

As a matter of fact,
I suggested it to the head chef.

But I don't see any.

Osborne, where are
the club sandwiches

that Mrs. Simpson asked for?

There was no such thing on
the list, Your Royal Highness.

But Mrs. Simpson says that
she asked for club sandwiches.

Suggested, sir.

Very well suggested.

If Mrs. Simpson makes
a suggestion,

you'll comply with it.

Oh, please. Not now.
It would take far too long.

Besides, it's Sunday
in the kitchens as well.

There'll be plenty
of other opportunities.

Lunch, everybody.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Ernest, I must talk to you.

I've had to bring home
a lot of work.

Ernest, please.
I must talk to you first.

You mean I must listen to you
first.

In August, the prince has taken
a house in Biarritz.

Biarritz.

We're invited to be his guests,
Ernest.

It's an opportunity
not to be missed.

Well, there's nothing
very special about Biarritz.

But there's something
very special

about the Prince of Wales.

It won't be Biarritz
this summer.

It will be wonderful.

Wallis in Wonderland.

Overcrowded
and inordinately expensive.

We are invited, Ernest.

That will temper the expense,
but not the overcrowding.

I scarcely think
the prince's accommodations

will be overcrowded.

Well, it certainly won't be
by me.

Now, as you well know, Wallis,

I'm off to America in August
on business.

Now, strictly speaking, it is
your business to accompany me.

But...let us not speak strictly.

If you wish,
you shall go to Biarritz.

Thank you, Ernest.

[ Door opens ]

I hope I'm not disturbing you,
Mrs. Merryman.

Not at all, Major Aird.
Come along in.

I'm helping the prince,
but he's not supposed to know.

I do a little
when he's not around.

Like the fairy tale.

That's right.
I'm patient Griselda.

You must be quick.

His Royal Highness will be
joining us at any moment.

Oh, he won't be joining us
at all.

I do hope you're managing to
have a little time to yourself.

Or is being an equerry a
full-time job, even on holiday?

Uh, even on holiday,
Mrs. Merryman.

Oh.
Then I'm better off than you.

When Wallis asked me to come
to Biarritz as her chaperone,

I thought of it first
and foremost as a vacation,

because Wallis is unlikely
to come to any harm.

I was remembering.

I brought Wallis to Europe
on her first visit.

That was in 1927.

Now that she's settled
in England,

well, that gives me
a further excuse to travel.

I do so love it.
Don't you, Major Aird?

It broadens the mind.

So they say, Mrs. Merryman.

Uh, you said His Royal Highness
won't be joining us.

That's right.

-And your niece?
-She won't be joining us either.

They just wanted to
slip off quietly

along the coast somewhere.

I wonder if that was wise.

Oh, she confided in me.

You can't blame them for
wanting to steal a little time.

Oh, no, no, no, no.
Of course not.

Oh, was there something planned?

Oh, not -- not exactly, no.

Then there's no real harm done,
is there?

I suppose not, Mrs. Merryman.

You seem disturbed.

You think a chaperone
should be seen to chaperone.

Oh, they just wanted to be
on their own for once.

I imagine privacy
is one privilege

seldom granted to a prince.

Mm.
It's all quite innocent.

His Royal Highness has privacy

so long as he stays
within the party.

You think he should be looking
for a wife of his own

rather than be seen dining
with someone else's.

Well, I wouldn't have put it
quite as strongly as that.

You mustn't mind my
American straight-talking.

But I'll do my best

to see it doesn't happen again,
Major Aird.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

So you see,
I didn't know my father.

He died
when I was six months old.

And Mother and I
became dependent on relatives,

and they didn't understand
either one of us.

Perhaps I'm boring you
with this story, sir.

Oh, no.
Not at all.

I want to know all about you,
Wallis.

But it's such an ordinary story
from an ordinary woman.

An extraordinary woman to me.

How very kind of you
to say so, sir.

But that's what's
so extraordinary about you.

All this endless consideration
by a royal prince

for a woman from nowhere.

Nowhere?

Everywhere.

I was born and bred
in Baltimore, which...

We would say
I came from good Southern stock.

Equips a woman for nothing
but to be a wife.

You were very young when you
married your first husband.

Yes.

I was very young
and very romantic.

Win was a naval officer,

and I thought it was the perfect
way to escape my circumstances.

It was a mistake.

We all make them.

Yes, I suppose so.

Sir?

What is it, Wallis?

Do you think
we're making one now?

I mean, shouldn't we have
warned the others

that we were going off
on our own?

If we hadn't slipped off,
they'd have tried to prevent us.

You're not the only one
who wants to escape, Wallis.

We've a lot in common,
you and I.

A lot to share
and I think a lot to give.

You have much more to give.

But whatever I have,
you're most welcome to it.

Especially since this happiness
comes rather late in the day.

But not too late.

Do you know what I'd like?

What?

I wish that we could do this
much more often.

Just the two of us.

Sir.

Will you come with me
on the Rosaura?

The Rosaura, sir?

It's a yacht I've taken.

We'll all take a holiday cruise.

Do you like that idea?

Sir, I hope you realize
what you're doing.

Yes, I know exactly
what I'm doing.

[ Sighs ]

You're taking me
into an enchanted world.

It really is Wallis
in Wonderland.

I thought
we'd have coffee together

before you go, Aunt Bessie.

Oh, I must say
I've enjoyed my holiday.

But I don't know
how well I've done my job.

You've behaved beautifully.
I knew you would.

I don't think
His Royal Highness's staff

would altogether agree with you.

Never mind Jack and Hugh.

You were the perfect chaperone.

His Royal Highness enjoyed
having you here.

Well, I must say
he made me feel most welcome.

Are you sure you won't go
on the Rosaura with us?

No.
I can't change my plans now.

Well, I changed mine.
Why can't you change yours?

Oh, we'll meet up later
in Italy.

Oh, you don't mind going alone.

I feel I've let you down.

Oh, of course not.

An invitation from a prince?

Well, that's irresistible.

-Of course I understand.
-[ Laughs ]

But are you aware of what you
could be letting yourself into?

What do you mean, Aunt Bessie?

Oh, you know perfectly well
what I mean.

Don't be reckless, Wallis.

Reckless?

You are a married woman.

Well, I'm very well aware
of my status, Aunt Bessie.

Well, then behave as if you are.

Don't you think I am?

I think there's a danger
that you may not.

The prince is a friend
to both of us.

Ernest was invited as well.

If it weren't for
his business commitments,

he'd be here with us now.

I'm only bringing this up

because I don't want to see you
hurt.

It's happened once before.

It's my duty to warn you
it could happen again.

How could I possibly be hurt?

Well, in the past,
you've had to live modestly.

Well, there's a danger you might
get a taste for the new life.

And that, well,
just isn't possible for you.

What you're trying to say

is I should have turned down
the prince's invitation.

No. What I'm trying to say
is be careful, Wallis.

Then all will be well.

I will, Aunt Bessie.

Well, then how are you going to
explain all this to Ernest?

Well, you're assuming
that something has changed.

There's nothing to explain
to Ernest.

[ Chuckles ]
Well, I've had my say.

I'm glad
that's now off my chest.

I'll see you
in a few weeks' time.

-Have a lovely holiday, Wallis.
-I will, Aunt Bessie.

Now you come and say goodbye
to His Royal Highness.

He's in the garden.

I've heard David has arranged

for his entire party
to sail on to Cannes.

Including that woman.

Entire party, I said.

By sea from Biarritz to Cannes.

And they're not starting
for another week.

It will have been
a long holiday.

That wouldn't matter so much.

If only it had been
another kind of holiday.

But it will end at Cannes.

It must.

His diary has already
been made up.

EDWARD:
Pull!

[ Gunshots ]

I say.
Well done, sir.

That was splendid.

Why do you call it a pigeon?
It hasn't got any feathers.

-Think of it as plucked, Wallis.
-All right, Jack, I will.

As long as I don't have to
cook it.

Now you have a try.

Oh, no, sir.
I'm not the sporting type.

I'm happy
just to be a spectator.

Well, have a go.
It's very simple.

-I'll load, sir.
-Well, I'm petrified.

I-I've never even held
a shotgun, much less fired one.

Come on, Wallis.

Where's that famous
frontier spirit?

Well, we chased Indians
out of Baltimore to Hollywood

years ago.

But I'm game.

Good.

[ Sighs ]

Now, feet apart.

Yep.

Bring the gun up
into the crook of your shoulder.

-Yep.
-Hold it firm. That's it.

-Look along the barrel.
-Gotcha.

Now, when the clay comes up,
get it in your sights and fire.

-Mm-hmm.
-You ready?

-Ready.
-Safety catch off.

-Uh-huh.
-Now shout, "Pull!"

Pull!

[ Gunshot ]

Did I hit it?

No, not that time.
But have another try.

Only this time,
don't close your eyes

when you squeeze the trigger.

I wonder what's down there.

Miles and miles of rope.

[ Laughs ]
Of course.

You were bred to the sea.

Trained to it.

Well, they say a naval training
is excellent

for other disciplines as well,
sir.

Like being a prince.

What about being a man?

There's nothing wrong
with the man, sir.

You shivered.
Are you cold?

No, sir.

Shall we get your wrap
from your cabin, Wallis?

No.
It was something else.

But in either case,
I really must go in.

Oh.
Must you go?

Don't go yet just, please.

I think I really must.

Good night, Your Highness.

Wallis!

You mustn't call me that.

Very well, sir.

Good night, my prince.

JACK:
Excuse me, sir,

but in an hour
we'll be coming into Toulon.

I expect you'll want to change.

What do you mean, change, Jack?

Well, put some more clothes on,
sir.

Oh.

Would a hat do?

Well, it's a start, sir.

Hugh has been advised
there may be compliments,

so he asked me to let you know.

Well, I'm only here
as a tourist.

Y-Yes, but nevertheless, uh,
credentials and so on.

You know the French.
They might take offense.

Do you really think so, Jack?

Well, in that case, you'd better
tell Hugh to keep them away.

If they insist, sir?

Well, if they insist,

a prince is a man, and since I'm
only here on holiday,

the French will have to take me
as they find me.

It isn't the end of the world
not to wear a shirt, Jack.

Uh, no, sir.

The only thing is
the informality, casualness,

might offend.

What?

Oh, look at my informality.

Tell me --
Could it possibly offend?

It may be taboo to see a prince
half-dressed, sir.

Certainly he's very handsome.

[ Laughs ]

[ Mid-tempo music playing,
indistinct conversation ]

Well, Wallis, was I good today?

I think so, sir.

You didn't please poor Hugh,

but you were sunny-tempered
with him and everybody else.

Hugh's so straitlaced
about such things.

"Oh, please put some clothes on,
sir."

It's enough to make you want to
rip them all off.

[ Laughs ]

What's so funny?

You are, sir.

You're so absurd, so extreme.

♫ Oh, isn't it heavenly ♫

♫ To share every scheme
with you ♫

♫ Be able to dine with you
and dance with you ♫

♫ And dream with you? ♫

♫ Oh, isn't it heavenly ♫

♫ Just heaven on earth
to be with you? ♫

♫ Oh, isn't it heavenly ♫

♫ To struggle and strive
with you ♫

♫ To have the delight to be ♫

♫ And right to be alive
with you? ♫

♫ Oh, isn't it heavenly ♫

♫ Just heaven on earth
to be with you? ♫

EDWARD:
But we could go on.

We don't have to break up
the party.

With respect,
you have engagements, sir.

In order to meet them,

you will have to travel
straight to England

by special train
the moment we reach Cannes.

Mm.

Well, what if I fly?

Well, that would give
you one day's grace, no more.

Well, can't anything be canceled
and some excuse found?

Yes, sir, they could be canceled
and some excuse found.

Well, cancel everything.
Yes.

Cancel everything
for the next three weeks.

-Three weeks?
-Oh, just this once, Hugh.

I know you can fix it.

Yes.
Of course, sir.

I'll do my best.
But...it won't be easy.

I know.
And I'm very grateful.

But I-I just do so much want
this extra time to myself.

[ Gunshots ]

[ Whistles blowing ]

David should have been here
helping me with my guests.

He knows I'm too ill,
too old to take an active part.

He knows how important it is

that one of the hosts should be
able to take such a part...

...make sure that everything's
properly done.

Not just sitting on his arse
in the back of a car,

accepting other people's word
for it.

He never said he'd be here
this year.

God send enough birds.

No.

No, he never said
he would be here.

But he had other,
firm engagements,

all of which he's broken

to prolong this
carnival progress over Europe.

They were only
minor engagements.

Engagements to relatively small
people.

To small people --

and therefore engagements
carrying

the greatest obligation of all.

As my son,
surely he should know that.

He was always taught that.

[ Sighs ]

Send enough birds
for good sport.

What sort of a woman can she be
to lead him a dance like this?

Can I get you a drink, Wallis?

Oh, I-I'm sorry, David.

I was in another world.

Sorry.
I'm interrupting you.

I wondered if you would like
something cool to drink.

Oh, that would be lovely.

But I don't want to put you
to any trouble.

It's no trouble.

[ Both laughing ]

Come on, Jack, Hugh.
Have a go.

Come on.
I'll show you.

Here we are.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Jolly good!
Well done!

You want a hand up?

[ Both laughing ]

What is that book
you're reading, Wallis?

"Wuthering Heights," David.

It was my favorite book
when I was at school.

-It's very romantic.
-"Wuthering Heights."

-May I see?
-Mm.

Good, is it?

Mm.

Who's this woman "Bront"?

[ Laughs ]

Morning, Jack.

Good morning, Wallis.

Did you have
a good night's rest?

-Yes, thank you.
-Oh, good.

[ Gasps ]
English newspapers!

Yes. Hugh and I went ashore
to get them.

How very thoughtful of you.

-We rather wish we hadn't.
-Why?

They're all two days old.

Well, His Royal Highness
won't mind.

He'll be delighted
to catch up with the news.

Could have kept till Genoa.

"Holiday prince plays truant."

I see what you mean.

Hm.

Even The Times.

[ Sighs ]

"At a season when most of us
are reluctantly returning

from our well-earned
annual holidays,

it is disturbing to hear reports
that a personage of note

is currently breaking
his engagements

in order to prolong
an already-extensive vacation."

How foolish they are.

They'll lose him
if they're not careful.

Come and have breakfast.

The last morning.

In Como, yes.

Well, it was stolen time.

What about the future, Wallis?

That's for you to say, David.

Many would say
I'd had enough already.

To be the king's favorite

has always been considered
an honorable position.

Well, that's trouble.

Because when I am king,
both our positions

will be very different
from what they are now.

You mean a prince is pardoned
if he amuses himself,

but a king is expected to be
serious.

I'm not amusing myself with you,
Wallis.

You know that.

I know.

But that's how they'll see it.

They won't really mind it
until I'm the king.

You said that many would say
you'd enough already.

You contented?

Could you be content with it?

If this were the only way, then,
would you be content with it?

Are you trying to tell me,
David,

that you have no say
in the matter?

Are you trying to tell me
that it's this or nothing?

Custom is very strong.

"Nice customs courtesy
to great kings."

What's that?

Shakespeare.
"Henry V."

"Nice customs courtesy
to great kings."

I wonder,
could I get away with it?

What's that?

Le roy le veult.

"The king wishes it."

Exactly.

A new kind of king...

for a new age...
which I think is ready for him.

What are you saying, David?

What am I saying?

That your wishes are my wishes.

Remember what I told you, David.

We may lose everything
if we're too greedy too quickly.

To the rest of the world,
let's just be noncommittal.

But you'll play the man
when the time comes.

Play the king
when the time comes.

And I.

Tell me --
What part shall I play, David?

[ Down-tempo music playing ]

Your Majesty, may I present
Lord and Lady Romilly.

Lady Romilly.

Are you cold?

Must be a draft.
Don't get up a fuss.

This business is soon
finished with.

May I present Sir Wilfred
and Lady Woods.

Lady Woods.

May I present
Mrs. Ernest Simpson.

[ Music continues ]

What's needed
to set Your Majesty to rights

is a long convalescence
in a suitable climate.

Sea air.

We didn't think
you'd want to go abroad.

You were right.

So Her Majesty thinks
you should go again to Bognor.

Bugger Bognor.

I'll do all you tell me to,
but I'll do it here, in London.

Now, Lord Dawson, if you'd
kindly leave me with the queen.

Has David spoken to you?

No.

He intends to speak to nobody.

So it seems.

For the time being,
the thing can go on.

Must have something of a sort,
I suppose.

But he mustn't allow it
to stick.

Why not leave it
for a few more months?

And then, if he's still
not spoken with you,

you...you could consult
with the archbishop

or the prime minister.

I'll leave it a few months.

We've always known,
ever since the war,

that he liked
these married women.

This one may do no more harm
than any of the rest of them.

Kitzbühel?

Yes.
It's a charming little town.

Skiing's top-hole.

I thought that you and Ernest

might like to join
my party there in February.

Of course we'd like.

We couldn't like more.
Right, Ernest?

I'm very sorry, sir,

but I have business in New York
in February.

Well, you know shipping.

Time and tide wait for no man.

Oh, again, Ernest?

We missed you so much
last summer.

Well, with, uh,
with respect sir,

you'll have to miss me again.

But you don't need to miss
Wallis as well.

I'm sure she'd like to join you.

Well, thank you, Ernest.

You're a very generous man.

Well, now, what do you say

we all go and bid farewell
to Jackson?

-Jackson?
-Yes.

Jackson's the cat
at the Embassy Club.

Now, if you're off to New York
soon

and we're going to Kitzbühel, we
won't be there for a long time.

So let's bid farewell
to Jackson.

[ Mid-tempo music playing ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Diana, surely both parties have
their faults.

Yes, yes.
I heartily agree, sir.

The trouble is that neither
will admit

to being anything short
of perfect.

Well, in which case
it's perfectly clear

that we need some person
or persons

to have custody
of our parliamentary custodians.

Oh, the wisdom of princes,
Diana.

In fact, Emerald,
the idea originated in Juvenal.

Sed quis custodiet
ipsos custodes?

Latin was never my strong point.

Oh, Wallis.

Don't tell me they teach Latin
in American girls' --

Come to that, do they have
American girls' schools?

American girls' schools
in my day

were very much
like English ones --

right down to the teaching
of Latin

and the wearing
of flat-heeled shoes.

Latin you say
you didn't take to --

nor, I suppose,
the flat-heeled shoes.

I don't know, Emerald. I kept
a pair by me for many years.

Very useful whenever I wanted to
kick up my heels.

-That I should like to see.
-WALLIS: [ Laughs ]

I gave it up when I got married.
But who knows?

In the bracing mountain air
of Kitzbühel...

Well, then here's to Kitzbühel.

Kitzbühel.

-Kitzbühel.
-Kitzbühel.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Music continues ]

Yes.
Of course, sir.

But, um, you see,

the difficulty is this is the
second time within a few months

that Your Royal Highness
has asked me to cancel

forthcoming engagements.

Yes.
And so?

Well, sir,
the king will be displeased

and many others offended.

Well, they'll all come 'round
after a bit, Hugh.

Sir, then you want to go on
from here to Vienna.

Now, that means you'll be away
from England a further week.

Yes. And then on to Budapest
for another week.

Hello, Hugh.

Would you like a drink?

Not just now, Wallis.
Thank you.

-Are you sure?
-No, thank you, sir.

Was that all quite clear, Hugh?

Oh, yes, sir.
Quite clear.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

[ Chuckles ]
I fixed it.

-Ooh.
-I fixed it!

Thank you, Hugh!

-Terribly frosty.
-[ Laughs ]

Of course, I shall have to
make up for it when we get home.

Can I fix you a drink?

Oh, no, thank you.

Hmm.

Yes, amongst other things,
of course,

I shall have to speak
to my father about you and me.

Oh.
Is he well enough?

Why worry him
until you really have to?

Well, he knows about us, Wallis,
and he'll be concerned.

Oh, he never concerned himself
all that much

with your other friendships.

Well, this is very different.

That's why I should like to talk
to him.

I think I owe it to him, Wallis.

Oh, David,

I-I thought we agreed it would
be better to bide our time.

I should like him to meet you.

Of course if he met you
he'd be won over.

But, David, we have met already.

Please.

Think carefully before you say
anything emphatic to him.

Well, all the same...

...I think I'd like to
come clean with him.

He never speaks either to his
mother or to me about anything.

But we are both much concerned
about this latest friendship.

Well, he has had previous
friendships of the kind, sir.

Both the queen and I think
this is more serious.

Such behavior has become
far more common

and open with our young men
since the war.

The world won't hold this affair
against him.

It may even make him yet more
popular in certain quarters.

But suppose...

suppose he kept her on
after my death.

Oh, she might be acceptable
to the country

until he took a wife.

It is, of course,
out of the question

that he should take her
as his wife.

No.

But it would do the Crown
enormous damage

with almost every section
of the country

if he continued to, uh...
entertain her

as he does presently
after he'd married someone else.

So we leave it as it is
for the time being.

We leave it, sir, though I
at least cannot condone it.

As the Bard has it, "God send
the prince a better companion."

God send the companion
a better prince.

Then he'd soon be rid of her.

[ Laughs ]

[ Drums beating, applause ]

You'd better go quickly, sir,

or you'll be late joining
Her Majesty at the reception.

I'm sure I'd rather stay here.

There. That's better.
Off you go, sir.

-You'll come and see me off?
-Mm-hmm.

Thank you, Emerald,
for the most agreeable evening.

I'm so sorry I have to leave you
in the middle of it.

Good night, Sybil.

-Good night, Harold.
-Good night, sir.

Well, what do you make
of all that?

Well, she encourages him
to be polite and pleasant.

We should all be very grateful.

-Don't you agree, Harold?
-Yes, I suppose so.

I still think there's something
not quite right about it.

I think I'll pass up
the last act.

Tarts dying noisily of
consumption are a horrid bore.

Good night, Emerald.

Thank you for the hospitality
of your box.

-Good night, Sibyl.
-Oh, good night, Harold.

Tell me, Sybil --

Have you noticed her jewels
lately?

They're so profuse and dazzling,
I sometimes think --

Well, I don't quite know
what to think.

They're all absolutely real,
dear,

if that's what's bothering you.

No dressmaker's rubbish
for our Wallis.

Then I don't think, do you,

that Mr. Simpson
can have paid for them.

Rich as he is supposed to be.

Where is he, by the way?

He's here less and less.

Business takes him away a lot,

and they tend to arrange
separate holidays.

She, of course, will be with HRH

on someone's yacht again
this summer.

As for him, they do say
he's found consolation

in some rural cottage.

The unimportance
of being Ernest.

[ Both laugh ]

Thank you --

[ Clears throat ]

Darling, there's been no chance
to talk to my father.

The Jubilee, Harry's wedding,
and now the holiday season.

That will be over soon.

What have you planned
to tell him?

That I have an overwhelming need
of you

and I wish to bring you
permanently into my life.

He can't argue
with your sincerity.

No.

He can't overrule love.

My father can overrule anything

in the name of what he calls
duty.

David, you say you have
an overwhelming need of me

and a desire to bring me
permanently into your life.

And I mean it.
You know I mean it.

Are you prepared to say so
to your father?

Yes.

But I...I rather dread doing it.

Still, there's one good thing.

My brother Bertie
is much more like my father.

He would make
a very suitable king.

David, you mustn't say that.

You mustn't even think
of giving up the crown.

Things will be different
after your father is dead.

Then there'll be no one
to stand in your way.

Only a regiment
of canting bishops

and both houses of Parliament.

David.

Your father is an old man
and a sick one.

Why worry him with things
he won't understand?

If I say nothing, he may call
on me to declare my intentions.

No.

He'll put it off
for the same reasons you have.

If you dread what you must say
to your father,

he dreads what he must hear
from his son.

After I'm dead, the boy
will ruin himself in 12 months.

Have you tried speaking to him,
sir?

So far I've followed a policy
of "wait and see."

Now I'm so unwell,
I must talk to him.

Christmas.

At Christmastime,
he'll come to me and his mother

at Sandringham.

I have something to say to you.

Yes, Papa.

Please...

Please be more punctual
at meals.

You've been late twice
in the last three days.

Is that...all you have to say
to me, Papa?

Is it such a little thing?

Clocks in this house
are half an hour fast

by my order
and my father's before me.

It should be easy enough
to be on time.

Yes, but that's just it.

If you know the clocks
are half an hour fast,

you don't pay any attention...
and you end up being late.

I don't end up being late.

Have you something to say to me?

No.

Only that I'd like a day's
rough shooting at Windsor

after I leave here,
if that's all right.

Oh, of course.

Ground needs shooting over.

Hope you'll continue to take
an interest.

And that was as near
as I could get.

Perhaps you should try again.

We should have found him a wife
long ago.

Unlike his brothers, he would
never look at anyone suitable.

It is better
he should not marry.

I pray to God
he will never marry --

or have children

and that nothing will stand
between Bertie and Lilibet

and the throne.

[ Gunshots ]

Special delivery, sir.

[ Dog whining ]

My mother would like me back
at Sandringham for the weekend.

His Majesty?

Yes.

Well, Dawson says
no immediate danger,

but...my mother would like me
to go.

I'm sorry, sir.

You'd better go to London now
and warn the prime minister.

When you next see me, I s--

My father will be dead.

The voice of acceptance.

One must accept it.

I still feel pain, Wallis.

I know.

But you've changed, David.

I see and I hear
there's no longer any panic.

Now I must go and see Baldwin.

MAN ON RADIO: The king's life
is moving peacefully

towards its close.

I've just been listening to
the bulletin over the wireless.

They did it well.

I w-wish I'd heard it.

Well, why didn't you come
to the study, Bertie?

I looked at one of the clocks
and it said nearly...10:00,

and I thought the -- the --
the bulletin was at 9:30

so I'd missed it.

I forgot, you see, they always
kept the clocks here fast.

I'll fix those bloody clocks.

Yes, sir?

Send for the clockmen

and have all the clocks
in this place

put back to the right time.

Now, sir?

Now!

[ Breathing raggedly ]

[ Bird hooting ]

[ Clicking ]

The king is dead.

Long live the king.

MAN:
Fire!

Fire!