The Crown

- Ask my daughters to come and see me. - Yes, ma'am.

Girls, it's too soon. I can't do it.

I'm not strong enough.

That's why you have two grown-up daughters.

To step in for you in situations like this. I'll do it.

Thank you but that makes no sense.

The speech is for Papa about Papa. I would like to do it.

It's right I do it.

You don't enjoy public speaking, whereas I do.

- And I was Pa... - What? Favorite?

- Are you going to deny it? - Your father didn't have a favorite.

He adored you both. Did so equally. As any good father would.

Mummy, you decide, then. As head of the family.

But she's not head of the family. I am. And I will make the speech.

- Ma'am. - Thank you.

Thank you.

Six years ago, I heard the moving words which my father spoke

when he unveiled the statue of King George V.

I did not think then that in so short a time,

I should be called to take his place.

But, it is with pride that I unveil this noble statue today.

Ma'am...

We have been flagging our concern for some time.

These latest events, internationally, merely strengthen our view.

But sending the Queen on this forthcoming tour,

in the current climate, would be to put the Sovereign

in an unacceptable level of danger.

What is it you would have the Queen do? Stay at home

in the wake of minor incidents prosecuted by an insurgent rabble?

What kind of signal would that send? The Crown does not back down.

If Britain had made a habit of backing down,

the world would already be living under the yoke of fascist tyranny

and we wouldn't have an empire at all.

Then might I suggest we bypass Gibraltar altogether?

It's an approach which I would favor too.

She's not ready for something on this scale. She's not yet up to it.

Especially with so many of our dominions demanding independence.

- We must be considerate of her. - Patronize her.

- No, that's not what I'm saying, sir. - Yes, it is.

Bermuda. Jamaica. Australia. Ceylon. Uganda.

It's going to be hot, Your Majesty.

To that end, we've been working a great deal with organza,

crepe de Chine and shantung silk.

We also wanted to feature something particular to each location,

so we thought sprigs of native wild flowers

indigenous to each country that you're visiting.

So, on Her Majesty's arrival in Sydney, we propose a white organza dress

scattered with pale yellow wattle blossom.

How many dresses are there?

- One hundred. - One hundred.

- And hats? - Thirty-six.

- Pairs of shoes? - Fifty.

Isn't this all a bit much? Couldn't we try to economize?

It is. It was a directive from the government itself,

from the very top of the government.

To put our best foot forward for Great Britain. Our very best foot.

It is an absurd pantomime, the whole thing.

I don't know why anyone can't see beyond it.

Actually, I thought the old ostrich feathers rather suited you.

- You should wear those more often. - Up straight, please.

20 years ago, Britain had influence

and control over one-fifth of the world's population.

You look where we are now in India,

Pakistan, South Africa, Iraq, Jordan, Burma, Ceylon:

all independent.

But nobody wants to face it or deal with it, so...

they send us out on the Commonwealth roadshow.

Like giving a lick of paint to a rusty old banger

to make everyone think it's all still fine. But it's not.

The rust has eaten away at the engine and the structure.

The banger is falling apart.

But no one wants to see it.

That's our job, that's who we are.

The coat of paint.

If the costumes are grand enough, if the tiara's sparkly enough,

if the titles are preposterous enough,

the mythology incomprehensible enough, then all must still be fine.

- Are we nearly finished yet? - Not quite, sir.

Four hours we've been here already for a costume fitting.

Uniform, sir, not costume.

You wear uniforms to battle. This is a costume fitting.

It's just a formality, Your Majesty,

confirming your temporary assumption of duties as Councilor of State

while Her Majesty is abroad.

You are so kind to still look after me from your retirement.

How much is still in the diary?

Well, I went through it with Major Adeane

and we tried to throw out as much as we could

but there will still be the usual Privy Council meetings of course,

some investitures and military inspections.

Couldn't we give some of it to Princess Margaret?

I'm just thinking she's had a tough time of it lately.

Being allowed to shine a bit might be good for her.

Get her back on track.

Besides, I had rather hoped to disappear up to Scotland for a while.

And Margaret could deputize for me.

The office is tucked away in a remote part of the embassy

where no one will see me.

- So what do you do all day? - Oh, nothing!

They can't keep you there and give you nothing to do.

- I beg to differ, nothing is all I do. - Are you at least alone in the office?

Oh, no, Sergeant Hewitt is here. He's just walked in.

- Can he hear you? - Oh, yes.

- Does he watch you? - Oh, yes.

- Is that the point of Sergeant Hewitt? - It is the only point.

Oh, God, how awful.

Well, it's not forever.

Feels like it, though. Two years.

Without you to protect me. Guide me.

I feel quite... unanchored without you.

Yes, but it's what we agreed to do, to help your sister.

Then we shall be free.

Well, that's it. That's me off.

See you when you're back from the tour in...

23 weeks.

- Well, call me if you need anything. - Yes.

You won't, of course.

- You don't need me anymore at all. - Yes, of course I do.

No, you don't. Neither of you does.

I have two grown-up daughters quite capable of looking after themselves now.

- Who is it that you're staying with? - The Vyners.

Up in Caithness at the Northern Gate? Dunnett Head?

Goodness. That's the end of the earth.

Yes. A chance to really get away from it all.

- Have a good think. - About what?

Everything.

Well, don't think too much or too deeply. It just gets one in a muddle.

Oh, by the way, I've arranged for Margaret

to deputize for me while I'm gone, as Head of State.

- Why? - Well, someone needs to do it.

Can't have people turning up for knighthoods

and some civil servant handing them out.

- Well, if you think she's up to it. - Up to what?

Standing still, looking pretty and putting a sword on a few people's shoulders?

- And making speeches? - Which will be written for her.

And turning up on time.

There are people who will get her where she needs to be.

And behaving herself.

She will be fine.

And you, if you'll allow me for just one moment?

- Please. - You need to give Margaret some room.

Some space in which to shine. She needs to shine, that one.

And, as elder sister,

you ought to be confident and generous enough to respect that.

I am.

Are you?

On your knees.

- Is that absolutely necessary? - Course!

I want to be sure I know what I'm doing before you go.

All right.

I hope you have a steady hand.

You seem uncharacteristically jumpy. Guilty conscience, perhaps?

- Why should I have a guilty conscience? - Have a think.

- If you mean Peter and his posting... - Banishment.

That wasn't my doing, I was simply acting on the government's advice.

The idea came from your henchman.

- Now, that's a little firm. - Was it?

- Yes. And it's the flat edge, remember? - Oh, sorry.

- So how is he? - Peter? He's getting on with it.

Uncomplainingly. Because that's what strong men do.

But it's a lonely existence in Brussels.

No real job, stuck in a small flat, followed by photographers,

having to steer clear of all the parties, steer clear of all the traps.

- What traps? - Traps being set for him.

Those who would wish to lead him astray. Catch him in a compromising position.

Those who would cheer the dissolution of our friendship.

- Margaret, you're imagining things. - Am I?

Yes. And anyway, it's not for much longer.

Two years?

Yes, but the first three or four months will fly by

while you're kindly filling in for me.

- I'll try not to upstage you. - How kind.

I can't promise I won't bring my own character to it.

Well, I never expected anything less.

That's the advantage of having a character to bring.

Too much character, an excess of character.

Now, look at me and tell me you didn't say that without a little bit of envy.

Just remember who you're standing in for when I'm gone.

My characterless sister.

Your Queen. Not a showgirl.

Were introduced to the people of Bermuda for the very first time.

The Royal couple then flies to Jamaica....

The last time you departed on this tour,

it was cruelly cut short by the death of your dear father.

In his final months, the King told me many times

that he could feel it all slipping away.

The Empire, our place in the world.

He saw this tour as a chance to keep each dominion close,

preserving that Empire.

So take him with you in spirit. Let his...

Let his example guide you. His thoughts influence you.

- I will. - And, if I may...

Never let them see the real Elizabeth Windsor.

The cameras, the television.

Never let them see that carrying the Crown is often a burden.

Let them look at you... but let them see only the eternal.

- Thank you, Winston. - Your Majesty.

Well done! You made it!

If it was easy to come here, everybody would.

Thank God it isn't, and they don't.