The Queen

Scene 5: Modern Man (32.40 – 40.34)

In an effort to distract William and Harry, Charles has organised for them all to go stalking (the British term for the stealthy pursuit of deer on foot with the intention of killing the deer for meet, sport or to quell the numbers) in hopes that it will take their mind off things.

Janvrin must break the news to the Queen and her mother that the committee has altered the plans and it will now be a public funeral with a slightly less uppity service. Celebrities will be in attendance and he suggests some minor changes to the routine practices at Buckingham to cater for the crowds.

In an effort to maintain normality, Charles and the Queen take a ride together in the old army truck along the Balmoral Estate. Charles defends Diana, praising her as a warm mother and a caring woman. He also admits that he feels threatened, that he’s never felt the wrath of the British people so acutely.

The scene concludes with a sweeping shot over the Balmoral Highlands, showing the boys stalking their prey with rifles at the ready.

Scene 5 Quotes

‘They screwed up her life. Let’s hope they don’t screw up her death.’ (Blair, on the royal family) Scene 5

‘”It proves, the Royals are not like us”, the Mirror. “Time to change the Old Guard at Buckingham Palace”. Express.’ (An administration aide at Blair’s office reads the daily headlines of the press) Scene 5

Scene 6: Bad Publicity (40.34 – 53.40)

As the Queen and Philip are getting ready for bed, an infamous interview with Diana is being replayed on the television. The interview was one that Lady Diana once admitted she regretted doing as she condemned the institution and said they’d had a part in her failed marriage. She believed she had been excommunicated from the royal family because she was different and admitted that she acted from the heart as opposed to always adhering to duty and obligation.

The Queen and Philip discuss the possibility that they were partially to blame for the doomed marriage between Charles and Diana; they have since regretted approving the marriage and assuming that Camilla Parker-Bowles (Charles’ lover at the time) would step aside.

The subheading reads Tuesday. Tempers flair as real footage shows that many of the British public are disappointed at the establishment of the monarchy; they are shocked that there’s been no word from any of the royal members. Just when they believe the public’s opinion can’t be lowered any further, a citizen reveals to the camera crew and Blair’s constituency by proxy that the flag over Buckingham Palace isn’t even at half-mast.

Back at Balmoral, the family are picnicking by the river. William and Harry are fishing in the background, so the family are able to speak freely. Despite the flag only being flown when the Queen is in residence, Charles shares the sentiments of thousands of others and beseeches the Queen to make an exception. He believes, as does Blair, that this will symbolise solidarity with the grieving population. Philip remains steadfast in this matter, as does the Queen Mother, and believes that Blair is overstepping the mark and has no right ordering the Queen in these kinds of matters. Despite all, Philip still believes that in 48 hours, it will have ‘all calmed down’. The Queen is quiet and takes on board what all have to say to her, but she remains sceptical at Philip’s assurance.

The enormity of the situation has become astounding, the flowers outside the palace extend at least a dozen metres out from the gates, people are cueing to sign a condolences book (which has been placed strategically to help corral the crowd) and there is still worldwide hysteria and despair. Charles ensures the High Grove flag (High Grove being the residence of Charles) is being flown at half-mast and that the media have seen fit to report on it. At this stage, we get confirmation that he is making every effort to protect himself by not directly aligning with his mother.

Cherie and Blair sit comfortably in their lounge watching interviews being conducted in the USA as to how the Queen is handling the situation. The sentiment is the same across the Atlantic – Americans also believe that the Queen has not only lost touch with her people but they feel it’s also an insult to the memory of a woman that did so much for others. The conversations have stopped being about Diana and have turned aggressive, many are lashing out against the ‘establishment’ and anti-Monarchists are voicing their long-buried opinions loud and proudly. For the first time, Cherie mentions the possibility of a Republic, a government in which the citizens and their elected representative hold supreme power. Although it seems a giant leap for Blair, the suggestion lingers with Blair and sits uneasily with him.

The subheading reads Wednesday, and the stalking on the highlands of Balmoral continues. Janvrin reviews the papers and has made all attempts to conceal some of the worst headlines from the family. Blair calls Balmoral once more, imploring her to revisit her decisions to abstain from a speech or any public appearance. Very little escapes the Queen as she admits to having seen the papers, littered with scathing attacks directed toward her. A moment is reached in her parlay with Blair where she manages to remind him with authority that she knows her people better than anyone, and knows what they need. She reminds him that the British will value ‘restrained grief and sober, private mourning’ as she believes ‘that’s the way we do things in this country, quietly, with dignity’. Blair cannot press her any further and must respect her decision, despite knowing that it will be detrimental to their reputation.

Scene 6 Quotes

‘Every strong woman in history has had to walk down a similar path…’ (Diana during her infamous BBC interview) Scene 6

‘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.’ (The Queen defending her decision to stay at Balmoral Castle) Scene 6

‘The next thing he’ll [Blair] be suggesting you change your name to Hilda and mine to Hector? Who does he think he’s talking to? You’re the Sovereign. The Head of State. You don’t get dictated to.’ (Philip expressing his anger at Blair for pressuring the Queen and for, what he feels, is overstepping the line) Scene 6

‘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.’ (Charles is certain that Diana will always be remembered favorably to the public, and that his family need to understand this) Scene 6

Scene 7: The Queen’s Turmoil (53.40 – 1.03.19)

After the phone call ends, Janvrin phones Blair and admits to listening in on the phone conversation. He excuses the Queen’s ambivalence and says that she is a product of history, from a time when this is the kind of reaction the country might have expected from her. He admits she is in shock and that the public’s palpable reaction has ‘thrown her’. Blair promises to do what he can to assuage the countries anger. The Queen decides to join the stalk and takes her old truck, driving recklessly through the beaten landscape. As she forges forward, despite being warned earlier by the group of gillies about the river’s depth, she gets the truck stuck on the river bed and drops the front prop shaft. She admits defeat and calls for help.

While she waits, the Queen takes a seat by the raging river and the camera pulls back to confirm how utterly alone she is. There are no bodyguards, no family, no paparazzi and she begins to cry softly. Behind her, a beautiful deer approaches, undoubtedly the one that the men have been hunting for days. She marvels at its raw magnificence, a tremendously statuesque figure that renders the Queen breathless. In this distance, she hears gunshots and shoos it quickly in an effort to save it from being hunted. The stag skips away. The Queen dries her eyes quickly, composes herself and the scene ends.

Meanwhile, that evening Blair ventures out to visit the people of vigil in the streets. He promises them that the Queen wishes them well, going so far as to say she wishes she could be there but her commitments to her grandchildren remain priority. The Queen watches him on the screen and instead of being angry that he is lying, quietly appreciates the lengths he is going to in order to protect her.

The following morning, more newspapers blast the monarchy for their poor behaviour and little heed is paid to Blair’s comments about the Queen other than to praise him for being down on the ground suffering with the rest of the citizens.

Scene 7 Quotes

‘Prime Minister, I understand how difficult her behavior must seem to you… how unhelpful… but try to see it from her perspective… ‘ (Janvrin when he contacts Blair to try and explains the Queen’s behavior) Scene 7

Suddenly, almost imperceptibly, we notice her shoulders are shaking. Not dramatically, but enough to suggest what is happening. The QUEEN – away from the world – is crying. We only see her back. Presently, she reaches into her jacket pocket, produces a handkerchief, and dabs her eyes. Gradually, she composes herself. (Script notes, when Elizabeth is on the highlands on her own and sees the stag) Scene 7

Scene 8: Critical Situation (1.03.19 – 1.09.20)

In one fleeting effort to sway Her Majesty, Blair contacts the Queen at Balmoral. She takes the phone call in the kitchen, the domestic quarters of her estate. He is blunt when he proffers forward that 70% of English citizens believe the monarchy have handled the situation incorrectly, and that one in four people believe the monarchy should be abolished in place of a Republic.

After consulting her mother for advice, Elizabeth rejects her mother’s advice to ride it all out and in the following scene Philip is told on the moors that the Queen wishes to return to Buckingham Palace immediately to which he replies that ‘it’s madness… bloody madness.’ Charles praises his mother’s turnabout and believes it to be the right decision.

Scene 8 Quote

‘I told the Queen’s private secretary I’d do what I could to help with the press… I think there’s something ugly about the way everyone’s started to bully her.’ (Blair to Cherie) Scene 8