The Crown (2016) s02e06 Episode Script
Vergangenheit
1 [BIRDS SQUAWK IN THE DISTANCE.]
[FAINT RUMBLING.]
[RUMBLING INTENSIFIES.]
[SPLASHES.]
[ENGINE REVS.]
[OFFICER.]
How much further, Loesch? [VON LOESCH.]
Straight on.
[VON LOESCH SPEAKING GERMAN.]
- [OFFICER.]
Pull over, Private.
- [VON LOESCH.]
Stop.
[OFFICER.]
Grab those shovels.
- Show us, Loesch.
- [SHOVELS CLANG.]
Spread out.
[VON LOESCH.]
Here.
Start digging.
[SOLDIER GRUNTS.]
[SHOVELS CLANG AGAINST SOMETHING.]
[SOLDIER.]
We got something.
[SOLDIERS PANT.]
[SOLDIER GROANS.]
[SOLDIERS BREATHE HEAVILY.]
[PANTING.]
[METAL CLANGING.]
[SHOUTING.]
[OFFICER.]
Here it is.
[BOX THUDS.]
[BANGING.]
[COMMANDER.]
What's he asking for? [OFFICER.]
Freedom in a country of his choice.
And a generous pension to last the rest of his lifetime.
[COMMANDER.]
Well, let's see how good it is first.
Get it translated.
[CHURCH BELLS RING.]
[MACHINE FLICKERS.]
[MACHINE SQUEAKS.]
[TYPEWRITER CLICKS.]
[TYPEWRITER CONTINUES CLICKING.]
[CHATTERING.]
[CHATTERING.]
- Don't you knock? - Sir.
[WOMAN.]
Uh, gentlemen, may I help you? [KNOCKS ON DOOR.]
[MAN 1.]
Enter.
[MAN WITH FILE.]
Sir.
I'm going to need to speak to the Prime Minister.
I need to see the King.
[KING GEORGE.]
We all suspected it.
These papers must never see the light of day, Winston.
Ever.
Publication could do grave harm to the national interest.
[KING GEORGE.]
The gravest.
What is written here brings the greatest shame upon this family.
[SIGHS.]
Our people would, rightfully, never forgive us.
[MAN ON TV.]
The mighty Harringay Arena in London draws a capacity crowd of over 11,000 for the first meeting in Britain of the American evangelist team, headed by Billy Graham.
Mr.
Graham, who wears a slate-gray suit and a modest tie, makes his address from a purple-draped platform.
[BILLY ON TV.]
The Bible teaches that all of us are wrong.
We have all gone astray, with everyone turned to his own way.
And when you turn It's rare and not entirely reassuring to see religious certainty - in someone so young.
- [CROWD ON TV APPLAUDS.]
- He's not young; he's my age.
- Precisely.
A child.
[QUEEN MOTHER.]
I think moral authority and spiritual guidance should come from someone with a little life experience.
Not from someone who learned their trade selling brushes door to door in North Carolina.
But there's a humility to that which I like.
Are those people crying? [MAN ON TV.]
Billy Graham has spoken to more than one and a half million people - What's happening to this country? - Now, he sums up his crusade.
The people of Great Britain never cried during the war.
Now they're weeping like children.
[BILLY ON TV.]
I'm calling for a revival that will cause every man and woman to return to their offices and shops and live out the teachings of Christ in their daily relationships.
I'm going to preach a gospel, not of despair, but of hope.
Hope for the individual, hope for society, hope for the world.
Turning out in droves for an American zealot.
He's not a zealot.
He's shouting, darling.
Only zealots shout.
[BILLY CONTINUES.]
When you close your eyes, close your ears to God's way, you will soon prefer your own ideas to the ideas of God.
You come to a stage where your own evil seems to you good - and God's good seems to be evil.
- [CROWD ON TV CHEERS.]
[PEACOCK CALLS.]
Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday, dear Trooper Happy birthday - On three.
-to you.
- Happy birthday, Trooper! - [TROOPER BARKS.]
Good boy.
[DOGS BARK.]
[GUNSHOT.]
Good shot! Bravo.
- [GUNSHOT.]
- Well done.
[DOGS CONTINUE BARKING IN THE DISTANCE.]
- [GUNSHOT.]
- [DOG BARKS.]
[DUCHESS SCREAMS.]
Now we are losing.
- [WOMAN.]
Is it me? - It's me, it's me! No, I don't want one.
Oh, darling.
Where's your pep? [DUKE.]
You look very dashing.
[DUCHESS.]
A hat! - Monsieur.
- Alors, qu'est-ce que vous pensez? - Magnifique! Parfait! - I don't like it.
Oh, no, no, no, I cannot go like this.
[DUCHESS.]
Why not? At least that way, I get to be queen once.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [SWING MUSIC PLAYS.]
- [PARTY GUESTS CHATTER, LAUGH.]
[SWING MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING IN THE DISTANCE.]
[PARTY GUESTS APPLAUD.]
Would you like to know what my day consisted of today? Don't tell me.
The same as every other day.
I rose late.
Past 11.
Then inspected the gardens.
Then ate lunch with people of no consequence.
- My friends! - People of no consequence.
I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but a life of pleasure really has its limits.
Try a life spent living with you.
My motto, as Prince of Wales, was "Ich dien.
" "I serve.
" Deeply rooted within me is a need to serve my country.
I need a job, a purpose.
- Not this again.
- Yes, this.
Well, where do you intend to find one? I will simply have to go to London to set things in motion.
Shall I tell you what else is deeply rooted within your family? Delusion.
They won't let you in the country, let alone give you a job.
- That's not what my lawyer says.
- You've spoken to George? - Why didn't you tell me? - Well, I'm telling you now.
I still have allies, you know, important allies.
Disciples of the truth, advocates of justice, who could mobilize opinion, start a campaign to have a former king be forgiven.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Finally, there's a request, ma'am, from the government, for you to open the new airport at Gatwick.
Um, they've offered some dates.
Third of June works best for us, I think.
- [ELIZABETH.]
Yes, all right.
- And that is it from me.
[ELIZABETH.]
Thank you, Michael.
- Oh, there was something.
- There was [MICHAEL.]
Ma'am.
If I wished to meet Reverend Graham, do you think that could be arranged? The evangelist, ma'am? Yes.
[MICHAEL.]
Well, I should need to give it some thought.
Um One might imagine an invitation being extended to preach at All Saints' Chapel at Windsor and a private lunch to follow? Lovely.
We should have to be careful, though, ma'am, that any invitation to, or association with, Reverend Graham, not be perceived as an endorsement of his crusades, which would not be compatible with your role as the head of the Church.
I'm sure you'll handle it all perfectly, Michael.
And you had something? [HESITANT.]
Yes, um His Royal Highness, the Duke of Windsor, has written with a request.
- [PHILIP.]
Oh.
- What for? - To be allowed to enter the country.
- Denied! [MICHAEL.]
To research a book which he's planning to write.
On what subject? How To Be a Truly Great King: a Guidebook.
- [ELIZABETH.]
Mm.
- [CHUCKLES.]
[MICHAEL.]
He didn't say.
I suppose we could let him stay at Kensington Palace.
He's intending to stay with his friend Major Metcalfe.
Fruity? But doesn't he live in Surrey? - Sussex, I believe.
- Oh, that's quite good.
- Out of public eye.
- The further the better, if you ask me.
So, that is a yes.
- No! - Yes.
- No.
- Yes.
Yes, let him come.
Ma'am.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS.]
- Morning.
- [ARCHIVIST.]
Good morning, sir.
[MAN.]
Uh, did you finish that paperwork? Yes, sir.
- Thank you.
- [WOMAN.]
This one's for Mr.
Sweet.
- This one for - [MAN.]
Morning, Margaret.
Morning, sir.
Monsieur Robert.
[ARCHIVIST.]
Yes, ma'am.
[TYPEWRITER CLICKS, DINGS.]
Take a look at this.
It's practically an injunction.
[MARGARET.]
Sir.
Are you aware of this? I am.
As historians, we have a duty to publish the truth, no exceptions.
Otherwise, what are we all doing? Protecting Nazis? Protecting something else.
My hands are tied.
But his are not.
That's right.
I have access to the US State Department duplicate files.
[FRENCH MAN.]
Including this.
There's nothing to stop the American government publishing if the British government won't.
[TRAIN WHISTLES.]
[DUKE.]
"My dearest darling Peaches, let us hope the rest of the trip is not as miserable as the journey.
It was a most disagreeable crossing, due to bad weather.
The company on the boat was dreadful too, common and uninteresting people, pestering me to join them for drinks or play cards.
On arrival in London, my mood was lifted slightly by a large group of welcoming supporters who cheered my name - and removed their hats.
- [CAMERA CLICKS.]
And my niece, the Queen, sent me one of the hearses.
Later in the evening I feared things would go from bad to worse, as we arrived at Fruity's rather drab little house, somewhere in Sussex.
" [DUKE.]
Fruity.
- Your Royal Highness.
- How are you? - Very well.
- Your Royal Highness.
Baba dear.
[DUKE.]
"But George excelled, as ever, and revealed the work he had already done.
" [MAN.]
Of course the true purpose of the visit can't be known to anybody.
Should anyone get wind of any "job hunting" by His Royal Highness, it might be seen as a violation of the agreement made after the abdication and His Royal Highness might find himself not only being asked to leave the country, but also without a pension.
So, this trip must be perceived, first and foremost, as a literary one.
- [FRUITY.]
I trust you came prepared.
- I brought quill and ink.
[LAUGHTER.]
[MAN.]
All that notwithstanding, I've started a campaign, gathering friends and supporters.
And early indications are most encouraging.
Walter Monckton has agreed to host a dinner, and we've had "yesses" from Lord Salisbury, Lord Beaverbrook, Lord Dudley, the American ambassador and the Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd.
Ooh, Cecil Beaton and Noel Coward have agreed to hold a little supper party for you.
- Oh, dear Cecil - [LAUGHTER.]
and his inedible food.
[CARS APPROACHING.]
- [PHILIP.]
Do we really have to do this? - Indulge me.
I'm interested.
Couldn't you just make up an excuse and say I'm off sinning somewhere? No.
[CAR DOORS SLAMMING.]
[PHILIP.]
Lanky bugger, isn't he? I think he's rather handsome.
A door-to-door salesman in a hideous shiny suit.
- Where's his box? - What box? - The one containing his brushes.
- Oh, no, look.
- Come on.
We'll be late.
- Hair brushes.
Floor brushes.
- Toothbrushes.
- Do shut up, Philip.
[BILLY.]
As I was thinking about what to preach about today, I considered various topics which speak to me personally, but I thought that I would start with a simple question.
What is a Christian? The Bible tells us; Colossians 1:27 says that a Christian is a person in whom Christ dwells.
It's Christ in you.
The hope of glory.
It means that you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
That encounter has taken place.
You have received Christ as savior.
And that is what a Christian is.
[ELIZABETH.]
I enjoyed that very much.
You do speak with such wonderful clarity and certainty.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- I find it very reassuring.
And it's not only me.
The rest of the country are too, I imagine.
- Yes.
- [ELIZABETH CHUCKLES.]
We've been surprised ourselves at the turnout.
- Really? - Mm-hm.
Well, you shouldn't be.
In an increasingly complex world, we all need certainty, and you provide it.
Well, that's not me.
The scriptures provide it.
Yes, but you illuminate them so well.
[INHALES.]
The great joy that I have felt today was that of being a simple congregant, being taught, being led.
You see, as head of the Anglican Church, in terms of rank, even the great Archbishops of York and Canterbury are below me.
Above me there is only God.
- Well, that must be lonely sometimes.
- Yes, it is.
[CHUCKLES.]
Which is why it's lovely, as Queen, to be able to just disappear and be [BILLY.]
A simple Christian.
Yes.
[SIGHS.]
Above all things, I do think of myself as just a simple Christian.
It's the values of Christian living that root me, guide me.
Define me.
Have you always been such a good speaker? I was actually a shy child.
- No.
- Mm-hm.
Speaking as a shy child myself, I have to say that I find that very hard to believe.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- No, ma'am, it's true.
The first time I ever spoke in public, I was 12 years old.
At school.
The school principal told my mother he thought I was a natural, that, of all things, I had a gift.
[CAR DOORS SLAM.]
[CAR DOOR SLAMS.]
[MACMILLAN.]
I've no objection to his being here.
It's the word "crusade" - that troubles me.
- [LAUGHTER.]
If the Reverend Graham is the crusader, the implication is that we're heathens! - [LAUGHTER.]
- [MACMILLAN.]
Not sure I go along with it.
Mr.
Wheeler-Bennett, sir.
- Ah, excuse me.
- [LAUGHTER.]
- [PHONE RINGS.]
- [MEN CONTINUE CHATTING.]
Prime Minister.
Thank you for seeing me.
You didn't give me much choice.
"A matter of the greatest urgency.
" Your team of troublesome historians? Committed historians.
Principled historians.
- Is that the file in question? - Yes.
Let's make a start.
- [LAUGHTER.]
- [CHATTER.]
- Ah, there you are! Plotters all! - [GUESTS CHUCKLE.]
[GUESTS.]
Your Royal Highness.
Are the curtains drawn? - Does treason abound? - [LAUGHTER.]
George, thank you so much.
- Cecil, it's so good of you to come.
- Sir.
- Dear Bobbety.
How are you? - Hello, sir.
I'm very well.
Walter, thank you so much for all this.
[MAN.]
We all know why we're here tonight.
- [LIGHTER CLICKS.]
- To see if we can help our dear friend, His Royal Highness, in his quest to find A final act to this sad drama.
And to turn it into a great history play.
He seeks a job.
A purpose.
Well, that's why I'm here.
To ask you all, my council of war, my my Brains Trust of politicians, artists and philosophers.
- Something in the military, perhaps? - [DUKE.]
Well, why not? I was made a major-general, attached to the British military mission in France at the beginning of the war, in a liaising role between us and the French, and I very much enjoyed it.
Or a position within the Board of Trade.
Well, what kind of position? Helping promote Britain's economic interests abroad.
- Well Yes.
- The right man in the right position could contribute so much to Britain's economy, helping boost our much-needed dollar reserves.
- A man with charm, contacts, influence.
- [DUKE.]
Hmm.
And the magic of being a former King.
Look, doesn't it all feel a little grubby, Walter, all those grasping international businessmen, the whiff of profit and self-interest? No, I like the direction we were heading earlier, the idea of a liaison post.
- Then what about the diplomatic service? - Oh, I like that idea.
Don't the Americans have these unofficial roving ambassadors nowadays? Yes, they have two in London at the moment.
Hmm.
Well, something like that would be ideal.
[WALTER.]
Well, I think we have [DUKE.]
"My dearest darling Peaches.
What a weight is off my mind.
Monckton really did come up with the goods, and his friends really do seem to want to help me.
Now, all I must do is wait, while they discreetly make representations on my behalf.
I would say 'wait and pray, ' but all taste for prayer has left me, as I survey the madness involving the American evangelist here.
What has happened to the people of this country, turning like lemmings to this crusading showman from Charlotte for their inspiration? Rumor reached me that Shirley Temple even invited the fool to preach at Windsor Chapel.
Can you imagine the banality of those exchanges? The smugness, self-congratulation and hypocrisy.
What a grotesque occasion that must have been.
Now bed calls, and for once, as my head hits the pillow without yours beside me, I can truthfully say, all is well.
Today was a day worth living.
Your loving husband, David.
" - [MICHAEL.]
Good morning, sir.
- Primed and ready? Ready for you now, sir.
I received a visit yesterday afternoon from John Wheeler-Bennett, the senior historian in charge of publishing the German war files, who informed me that this government was now left with no choice but to publish certain material, which both my predecessor, Winston Churchill, and yours, your late father, tried to suppress.
What material? The Marburg Files, ma'am.
[TYPEWRITER CLICKS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
This was always going to come back to haunt us.
Shortly after the war ended, some British troops Uh American.
American troops arrested a German soldier, as he was retreating from Treffurt.
Near Eisenach.
In central Germany.
I don't remember the soldier's name.
Leutnant von Loesch.
[QUEEN MOTHER.]
Turns out, this soldier was Hitler's personal translator.
[MICHAEL.]
Uh The assistant to Hitler's personal translator, ma'am.
Hitler's personal translator was Dr Schmidt, Dr Paul Schmidt.
All right, you tell the story, Michael.
Please.
Thank you, ma'am.
When his offices were being evacuated [GERMAN SOLDIERS CHATTER.]
[MICHAEL.]
Dr.
Schmidt asked his assistant, von Loesch, to dispose of all the top-secret papers, which he had placed in archives.
Von Loesch duly burnt the vast majority.
[GERMAN SOLDIERS SHOUT AT ONE ANOTHER.]
But, he secretly kept the most valuable material, hoping to use it to negotiate his freedom and to escape trial.
[BIRDS CALL.]
- [BOX THUDS.]
- [GROANS.]
Among the papers which von Loesch kept back, there was one file pertaining to Anglo-German relations, in particular, the relationship of Nazi high command with His Royal Highness, the Duke of Windsor.
I think it's fair to say, the reality exceeded even our worst fears.
- We did everything to contain this - [MAN.]
That's your lot.
unaware that a copy had been sent to the Americans [TYPEWRITER CLICKS.]
who are now insisting that this volume of the Marburg Files be published.
[QUEEN MOTHER.]
And this is the man you inexplicably let back into the country.
I hope you have a strong stomach.
[EXHALES.]
[DUKE.]
Thank you, Joe.
- Your Royal Highness.
- Foreign Secretary.
- Please.
- Thank you.
You have loyal and persistent friends, sir.
Oh, thank you.
Following their representations and having given the matter careful thought, it looks like we now have several options.
Please.
The first option I'd like you to look at would be the role of ambassador to France.
[WALTER.]
To a happy and purposeful future.
- Hear, hear! - [WALTER.]
His Royal Highness.
[ALL.]
His Royal Highness! [DUKE.]
"My dearest darling one, I met with the Foreign Secretary today who has managed to find three posts where I could do something of value and importance.
I am so happy.
These posts would offer me the chance to serve my country and make a difference.
As to the green light, as far as government is concerned, it's a go.
Only one obstacle remains, to get the blessing of the Crown, which involves a brief trip back to that miserable mausoleum, Buckingham Palace.
Counting down the minutes until I am back in your arms again.
- Your loving husband, David.
" - [INHALES, EXHALES.]
[BELL RINGS.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
The Duke of Windsor, Your Majesty.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- Your Majesty.
- Ah, yes.
It's your first time back.
- In this room, yes.
That color was me, French Gray.
So, to what do we owe the pleasure? I assume it's about this new book that you're writing.
Oh, actually, I've come here today on another matter.
A job.
That while I'm clearly no longer a young man, I'm also not yet an old one and might be able to usefully serve the Crown.
You had a chance to serve this country, the greatest chance.
You gave it up.
Well, I gave it up because of the way my wife was treated, not because I no longer wished to serve this country.
Anyway, one or two ideas came up.
For jobs, which would require the blessing both of government and Crown.
Of course, before coming here and bothering you, I made sure the support would be given by government and I've been assured of that support.
Support for what jobs? Well, three possibilities came up.
The first is the ambassadorship to France.
The PM and Foreign Secretary aren't keen on the incumbent, Gladwyn Jebb.
And the second option? Oh, uh, as a special liaison to the Board of Trade.
The third? As, uh, High Commissioner, working with the Commonwealth Relations Office to protect and promote British interests throughout the world.
This would suit me, I think, uh, as it specializes in the practical side of diplomatic work.
Entertaining.
Well, I'm sure that you'd do all three jobs very well indeed.
But in light of what I've recently learned about [STUTTERS.]
About what? About events that took place, while you were in Lisbon during the war.
- From whom? - From state papers.
Which state papers? German state papers which American historians, supported by the French and the British, are now threatening to publish.
And what exactly is in these papers? Letters.
And telegrams.
Communications detailing your relationship with Nazi high command.
Well, it's utter nonsense.
In one telegram, from 1940, it states that you were considering publicly going against the government and pledging your support for peace with Germany, thereby breaking with my father, the King.
In another, it says that, in return for your support, the German government offered you a home in Spain, where you could wait out the rest of the war in peace and safety while your countrymen gave their lives.
I went to the Bahamas as the British government instructed.
Yes, you were instructed to go to the Bahamas because of your views.
In these papers, you're quoted as saying that the Führer's desire for peace was in complete agreement with your own point of view.
[INHALES, EXHALES.]
You were too young to remember.
I, alas, not.
Hitler and his henchmen were once our friends.
As King, I was committed to the idea, passionately committed, that England and Germany should never be enemies again after the horrors of the Great War.
People forget, there was no indication of who Hitler would become.
You could argue that we were the ones that made a monster of him, by refusing to be his allies.
This is the point.
People make stands.
They grandstand to pat themselves on the back for their great virtue.
And what is the consequence? Another grotesque war.
Millions more dead.
When peace was all that mattered to me.
In that spirit, I am asking you to make peace with me today.
Elizabeth, the British are a sensible people; they will never believe these claims against me.
They will dismiss these papers for what they are: baseless rumors and German propaganda.
[BELLS RING IN THE DISTANCE.]
[PHILIP.]
Everything all right? - [ELIZABETH.]
Can I ask your opinion? - Of course.
What about? [SIGHS.]
Forgiveness.
Goodness.
What have I done now? [ELIZABETH.]
No, not you.
Uncle David.
- I think it's time that he be forgiven.
- Are you mad? - You can't forgive that man.
- Why not? What he did to this country.
Those were different times.
He's explained all that to me.
Mm, I bet he did.
Philip.
Forgiveness is very important to me.
It's not often I say this, so perhaps if I do, you will take it seriously.
[SIGHS.]
[LAUGHS.]
Ask Tommy Lascelles to come and see you.
- What? - [LAUGHS.]
And tell him of your proposed course of action.
- I can't keep summoning him like that.
- Why not? - Well, he's retired for one thing.
- Well, then go and see him, in an unofficial capacity.
For sherry or tea.
Or human blood, whatever that monster drinks.
And ask him about your uncle.
He was his private secretary while he was King.
He knows everything there is to know.
[CAR APPROACHES IN THE DISTANCE.]
[CAR PULLS UP OUTSIDE.]
[GRUNTS.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
- Your Majesty.
- Tommy, is it terribly inconvenient? [TOMMY CHUCKLES.]
- [ELIZABETH HUMS.]
- [TOMMY SIGHS.]
Ah! - You're mid-battle! - Yes, ma'am.
Now, don't say anything.
Ah Yes, those uniforms - It's 19th century? - Yes.
And that standard is the Duke of Wellington.
Very good, ma'am.
So it's Waterloo.
- Salamanca.
- Ah.
Ah And these? [TOMMY.]
Troops of Sir Edward Pakenham's Third Infantry Division.
Oh, they're lovely.
Did you have them made? A gift, ma'am.
From your grandfather, when I was in his service.
Hmm.
- [TOMMY.]
Shall we, ma'am? - [ELIZABETH.]
Yes.
[EXHALES.]
I'm proposing to let the Duke of Windsor back into public life.
And, as an example of a Christian in a Christian country, to forgive.
Your Majesty, that would [CLEARS THROAT.]
In my view [SIGHS.]
Be a mistake.
Why? Before you make your decision, ma'am, I believe you should be in full possession of the facts.
- I've read the Marburg Files.
- So have I.
I said full possession.
- You mean there's more.
- Yes, ma'am.
[TOMMY.]
The Duke of Windsor made his loyalties clear as soon as he became King.
Surrounded himself with a new breed of courtier, men such as Carl, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, a renowned Nazi.
He also shared classified Allied documents with the Duchess of Windsor, who was herself, we believe, sharing a bed forgive me, ma'am with the German ambassador, Herr Ribbentrop.
It became so bad that the government had to stop putting secret and sensitive papers in his red box.
But we needn't have worried, because then we had the abdication.
Having promised to retire from public life, we now know that he had no such intention.
Why else would the pair of them decide to visit Hitler in Germany? [CROWD CHATTERING.]
[OFFICER.]
Heil Hitler! [CROWD.]
Heil Hitler! [TOMMY.]
The Führer labeled the trip an unofficial state visit, so it is unsurprising that it was on that same trip, at the home of Herr Hess, that the plan was hatched.
A plan to reinstate the Duke of Windsor as King of England effectively betraying and dethroning your dear late father, in return for German forces being given free rein across Europe.
German troops were even promised to quell a colonial rebellion, if necessary.
And there were visits to SS training schools and early versions of the concentration camps.
Now, of course, the full horrors were yet to come.
Nonetheless, he visited.
Shall I continue, ma'am? When a German aircraft crashed in Belgium carrying Hitler's entire military plan for the invasion of France, the Duke wasted no time in letting his Nazi friends know that Allied forces had, indeed, recovered this priceless information, which gave Germany time to change its plans.
And, in less than a month, Paris fell to German occupation.
But perhaps worst of all, the Duke told the German government that resolve in the United Kingdom in the face of the German aerial bombardment was weakening and that continued bombing that is, the continued slaughter of his fellow countrymen and former subjects, would, I quote, "soon make Britain ready for peace.
" [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[BILLY ON TV.]
The problems of the world can be summed up in one three-letter word: S-I-N.
Sin.
From Psalm 58, "The wicked are estranged from the womb.
They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
" God looks deep down inside of you.
God sees how you really are down inside.
Now, you may be outwardly genteel, refined, cultured, a churchman, of good standing in the community, but is your heart far from God? I've had a chance to think about your request to serve your country.
I was keen to help you and, weighing it all up the amount of time that has passed and my affection for you, personally, all spoke in its favor.
But? But, on balance I think not.
And I'm sure you don't need reminding that under the terms of the agreement reached after the abdication, you are permitted to return to the United Kingdom only at the pleasure and invitation of the sovereign.
Yes? I find myself unable to grant that permission.
And who has fed you this poison? Your mother? No.
Tommy Lascelles? - I came to my own mind.
- But you have no mind of your own.
That's why everyone's so thrilled with you.
The last royal to have a mind of his own was me and that's why they threw me out.
Fine.
I will go.
But let me ask you this.
Who has done more damage to the monarchy? Me, with my willfulness, or you lot, with your inhumanity? We all closed our eyes, our ears, to what was being said about you.
We dismissed it as fabrications, as cruel chatter, in light of your decision to give up the throne.
But when the truth finally came out The truth! It makes a mockery of even the central tenets of Christianity.
There is no possibility of my forgiving you.
The question is: how on earth can you forgive yourself? - [BELL RINGS.]
- [DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
- [REPORTER 1.]
How was your trip? - [REPORTER 2.]
Sir! - [REPORTER 3.]
How's the Duchess? - [REPORTER 4.]
Your Royal Highness! [REPORTERS CLAMORING.]
[REPORTER 5.]
Sir! [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS.]
- Good morning, sir.
- Morning.
- [WHEELER-BENNETT.]
Morning.
- [WOMAN.]
Morning, sir.
- [WOMAN 2.]
Morning, sir.
- [WHEELER-BENNETT.]
Morning.
We have the go-ahead to publish.
Thank you, sir.
[TRAIN WHISTLES.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
[MAN.]
Reverend Graham, Your Majesty.
[BILLY.]
Your Majesty.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
You're very kind to find time for me again.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Oh, do sit down.
[SIGHS.]
Reverend Graham, uh I asked you here today because there's something that I'd very much like to hear your views on.
Ma'am? Forgiveness.
Are there any circumstances, do you feel, where one can be a good Christian and yet not forgive? Christian teaching's very clear on this.
No one is beneath forgiveness.
Dying on the cross, Jesus himself asked the Lord to forgive those that killed him.
Yes.
But we must remember his words.
"They know not what they do.
" That forgiveness, it was conditional.
True, but he still forgave.
God himself forgives us all.
Who are we to reject the example of God? Mere mortals.
We are all mortals, that is our fate, but we need not be un-Christian ones.
[ELIZABETH SIGHS.]
The solution for being unable to forgive: one asks for forgiveness oneself.
Humbly and sincerely, and one prays for those that one cannot forgive.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[PHILIP.]
Saying one for me? - [ELIZABETH.]
Not on this occasion, no.
- Go on.
Put a word in.
[PHILIP.]
We all know you have the ear of the big man upstairs, - as, as head of his church.
- Oh, you're drunk.
- I am.
I don't deny it.
- Get off.
But not nearly as drunk as either of my drinking companions tonight.
- Care to take a guess? - I wouldn't dare.
[PHILIP CHUCKLES.]
Your de your de [LAUGHS.]
Your dear Ma was one.
- What?! - [PHILIP LAUGHS.]
[PHILIP.]
And Tommy Lascelles the other.
- No.
- Yes! I know.
Hideous thought.
But we all agreed to put aside our historical differences to celebrate the one good thing we all have in common.
Which is? You.
[SIGHS.]
And the heroic way you kicked that wretched fool out today, tail between his legs.
It was hardly heroic.
On the contrary, it was entirely heroic.
And don't, don't for one minute start on about it being a failure of Christianity.
- Uh, it is.
- No.
It's not.
You protected your country and you protected the reputation of your family.
Not to mention successfully banishing Satan from entering the Garden of Eden.
That's Christ's business in anyone's books.
So, it's a gold star from Jesus.
[LAUGHS.]
And a gold star from me.
What are you doing? - [ELIZABETH LAUGHS.]
No! - Yes.
- No.
No, darling.
- Oh, yes, darling! Come on.
[ELIZABETH.]
No! [LAUGHS.]
Ha!
[FAINT RUMBLING.]
[RUMBLING INTENSIFIES.]
[SPLASHES.]
[ENGINE REVS.]
[OFFICER.]
How much further, Loesch? [VON LOESCH.]
Straight on.
[VON LOESCH SPEAKING GERMAN.]
- [OFFICER.]
Pull over, Private.
- [VON LOESCH.]
Stop.
[OFFICER.]
Grab those shovels.
- Show us, Loesch.
- [SHOVELS CLANG.]
Spread out.
[VON LOESCH.]
Here.
Start digging.
[SOLDIER GRUNTS.]
[SHOVELS CLANG AGAINST SOMETHING.]
[SOLDIER.]
We got something.
[SOLDIERS PANT.]
[SOLDIER GROANS.]
[SOLDIERS BREATHE HEAVILY.]
[PANTING.]
[METAL CLANGING.]
[SHOUTING.]
[OFFICER.]
Here it is.
[BOX THUDS.]
[BANGING.]
[COMMANDER.]
What's he asking for? [OFFICER.]
Freedom in a country of his choice.
And a generous pension to last the rest of his lifetime.
[COMMANDER.]
Well, let's see how good it is first.
Get it translated.
[CHURCH BELLS RING.]
[MACHINE FLICKERS.]
[MACHINE SQUEAKS.]
[TYPEWRITER CLICKS.]
[TYPEWRITER CONTINUES CLICKING.]
[CHATTERING.]
[CHATTERING.]
- Don't you knock? - Sir.
[WOMAN.]
Uh, gentlemen, may I help you? [KNOCKS ON DOOR.]
[MAN 1.]
Enter.
[MAN WITH FILE.]
Sir.
I'm going to need to speak to the Prime Minister.
I need to see the King.
[KING GEORGE.]
We all suspected it.
These papers must never see the light of day, Winston.
Ever.
Publication could do grave harm to the national interest.
[KING GEORGE.]
The gravest.
What is written here brings the greatest shame upon this family.
[SIGHS.]
Our people would, rightfully, never forgive us.
[MAN ON TV.]
The mighty Harringay Arena in London draws a capacity crowd of over 11,000 for the first meeting in Britain of the American evangelist team, headed by Billy Graham.
Mr.
Graham, who wears a slate-gray suit and a modest tie, makes his address from a purple-draped platform.
[BILLY ON TV.]
The Bible teaches that all of us are wrong.
We have all gone astray, with everyone turned to his own way.
And when you turn It's rare and not entirely reassuring to see religious certainty - in someone so young.
- [CROWD ON TV APPLAUDS.]
- He's not young; he's my age.
- Precisely.
A child.
[QUEEN MOTHER.]
I think moral authority and spiritual guidance should come from someone with a little life experience.
Not from someone who learned their trade selling brushes door to door in North Carolina.
But there's a humility to that which I like.
Are those people crying? [MAN ON TV.]
Billy Graham has spoken to more than one and a half million people - What's happening to this country? - Now, he sums up his crusade.
The people of Great Britain never cried during the war.
Now they're weeping like children.
[BILLY ON TV.]
I'm calling for a revival that will cause every man and woman to return to their offices and shops and live out the teachings of Christ in their daily relationships.
I'm going to preach a gospel, not of despair, but of hope.
Hope for the individual, hope for society, hope for the world.
Turning out in droves for an American zealot.
He's not a zealot.
He's shouting, darling.
Only zealots shout.
[BILLY CONTINUES.]
When you close your eyes, close your ears to God's way, you will soon prefer your own ideas to the ideas of God.
You come to a stage where your own evil seems to you good - and God's good seems to be evil.
- [CROWD ON TV CHEERS.]
[PEACOCK CALLS.]
Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday, dear Trooper Happy birthday - On three.
-to you.
- Happy birthday, Trooper! - [TROOPER BARKS.]
Good boy.
[DOGS BARK.]
[GUNSHOT.]
Good shot! Bravo.
- [GUNSHOT.]
- Well done.
[DOGS CONTINUE BARKING IN THE DISTANCE.]
- [GUNSHOT.]
- [DOG BARKS.]
[DUCHESS SCREAMS.]
Now we are losing.
- [WOMAN.]
Is it me? - It's me, it's me! No, I don't want one.
Oh, darling.
Where's your pep? [DUKE.]
You look very dashing.
[DUCHESS.]
A hat! - Monsieur.
- Alors, qu'est-ce que vous pensez? - Magnifique! Parfait! - I don't like it.
Oh, no, no, no, I cannot go like this.
[DUCHESS.]
Why not? At least that way, I get to be queen once.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [SWING MUSIC PLAYS.]
- [PARTY GUESTS CHATTER, LAUGH.]
[SWING MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING IN THE DISTANCE.]
[PARTY GUESTS APPLAUD.]
Would you like to know what my day consisted of today? Don't tell me.
The same as every other day.
I rose late.
Past 11.
Then inspected the gardens.
Then ate lunch with people of no consequence.
- My friends! - People of no consequence.
I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but a life of pleasure really has its limits.
Try a life spent living with you.
My motto, as Prince of Wales, was "Ich dien.
" "I serve.
" Deeply rooted within me is a need to serve my country.
I need a job, a purpose.
- Not this again.
- Yes, this.
Well, where do you intend to find one? I will simply have to go to London to set things in motion.
Shall I tell you what else is deeply rooted within your family? Delusion.
They won't let you in the country, let alone give you a job.
- That's not what my lawyer says.
- You've spoken to George? - Why didn't you tell me? - Well, I'm telling you now.
I still have allies, you know, important allies.
Disciples of the truth, advocates of justice, who could mobilize opinion, start a campaign to have a former king be forgiven.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Finally, there's a request, ma'am, from the government, for you to open the new airport at Gatwick.
Um, they've offered some dates.
Third of June works best for us, I think.
- [ELIZABETH.]
Yes, all right.
- And that is it from me.
[ELIZABETH.]
Thank you, Michael.
- Oh, there was something.
- There was [MICHAEL.]
Ma'am.
If I wished to meet Reverend Graham, do you think that could be arranged? The evangelist, ma'am? Yes.
[MICHAEL.]
Well, I should need to give it some thought.
Um One might imagine an invitation being extended to preach at All Saints' Chapel at Windsor and a private lunch to follow? Lovely.
We should have to be careful, though, ma'am, that any invitation to, or association with, Reverend Graham, not be perceived as an endorsement of his crusades, which would not be compatible with your role as the head of the Church.
I'm sure you'll handle it all perfectly, Michael.
And you had something? [HESITANT.]
Yes, um His Royal Highness, the Duke of Windsor, has written with a request.
- [PHILIP.]
Oh.
- What for? - To be allowed to enter the country.
- Denied! [MICHAEL.]
To research a book which he's planning to write.
On what subject? How To Be a Truly Great King: a Guidebook.
- [ELIZABETH.]
Mm.
- [CHUCKLES.]
[MICHAEL.]
He didn't say.
I suppose we could let him stay at Kensington Palace.
He's intending to stay with his friend Major Metcalfe.
Fruity? But doesn't he live in Surrey? - Sussex, I believe.
- Oh, that's quite good.
- Out of public eye.
- The further the better, if you ask me.
So, that is a yes.
- No! - Yes.
- No.
- Yes.
Yes, let him come.
Ma'am.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS.]
- Morning.
- [ARCHIVIST.]
Good morning, sir.
[MAN.]
Uh, did you finish that paperwork? Yes, sir.
- Thank you.
- [WOMAN.]
This one's for Mr.
Sweet.
- This one for - [MAN.]
Morning, Margaret.
Morning, sir.
Monsieur Robert.
[ARCHIVIST.]
Yes, ma'am.
[TYPEWRITER CLICKS, DINGS.]
Take a look at this.
It's practically an injunction.
[MARGARET.]
Sir.
Are you aware of this? I am.
As historians, we have a duty to publish the truth, no exceptions.
Otherwise, what are we all doing? Protecting Nazis? Protecting something else.
My hands are tied.
But his are not.
That's right.
I have access to the US State Department duplicate files.
[FRENCH MAN.]
Including this.
There's nothing to stop the American government publishing if the British government won't.
[TRAIN WHISTLES.]
[DUKE.]
"My dearest darling Peaches, let us hope the rest of the trip is not as miserable as the journey.
It was a most disagreeable crossing, due to bad weather.
The company on the boat was dreadful too, common and uninteresting people, pestering me to join them for drinks or play cards.
On arrival in London, my mood was lifted slightly by a large group of welcoming supporters who cheered my name - and removed their hats.
- [CAMERA CLICKS.]
And my niece, the Queen, sent me one of the hearses.
Later in the evening I feared things would go from bad to worse, as we arrived at Fruity's rather drab little house, somewhere in Sussex.
" [DUKE.]
Fruity.
- Your Royal Highness.
- How are you? - Very well.
- Your Royal Highness.
Baba dear.
[DUKE.]
"But George excelled, as ever, and revealed the work he had already done.
" [MAN.]
Of course the true purpose of the visit can't be known to anybody.
Should anyone get wind of any "job hunting" by His Royal Highness, it might be seen as a violation of the agreement made after the abdication and His Royal Highness might find himself not only being asked to leave the country, but also without a pension.
So, this trip must be perceived, first and foremost, as a literary one.
- [FRUITY.]
I trust you came prepared.
- I brought quill and ink.
[LAUGHTER.]
[MAN.]
All that notwithstanding, I've started a campaign, gathering friends and supporters.
And early indications are most encouraging.
Walter Monckton has agreed to host a dinner, and we've had "yesses" from Lord Salisbury, Lord Beaverbrook, Lord Dudley, the American ambassador and the Foreign Secretary Selwyn Lloyd.
Ooh, Cecil Beaton and Noel Coward have agreed to hold a little supper party for you.
- Oh, dear Cecil - [LAUGHTER.]
and his inedible food.
[CARS APPROACHING.]
- [PHILIP.]
Do we really have to do this? - Indulge me.
I'm interested.
Couldn't you just make up an excuse and say I'm off sinning somewhere? No.
[CAR DOORS SLAMMING.]
[PHILIP.]
Lanky bugger, isn't he? I think he's rather handsome.
A door-to-door salesman in a hideous shiny suit.
- Where's his box? - What box? - The one containing his brushes.
- Oh, no, look.
- Come on.
We'll be late.
- Hair brushes.
Floor brushes.
- Toothbrushes.
- Do shut up, Philip.
[BILLY.]
As I was thinking about what to preach about today, I considered various topics which speak to me personally, but I thought that I would start with a simple question.
What is a Christian? The Bible tells us; Colossians 1:27 says that a Christian is a person in whom Christ dwells.
It's Christ in you.
The hope of glory.
It means that you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
That encounter has taken place.
You have received Christ as savior.
And that is what a Christian is.
[ELIZABETH.]
I enjoyed that very much.
You do speak with such wonderful clarity and certainty.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- I find it very reassuring.
And it's not only me.
The rest of the country are too, I imagine.
- Yes.
- [ELIZABETH CHUCKLES.]
We've been surprised ourselves at the turnout.
- Really? - Mm-hm.
Well, you shouldn't be.
In an increasingly complex world, we all need certainty, and you provide it.
Well, that's not me.
The scriptures provide it.
Yes, but you illuminate them so well.
[INHALES.]
The great joy that I have felt today was that of being a simple congregant, being taught, being led.
You see, as head of the Anglican Church, in terms of rank, even the great Archbishops of York and Canterbury are below me.
Above me there is only God.
- Well, that must be lonely sometimes.
- Yes, it is.
[CHUCKLES.]
Which is why it's lovely, as Queen, to be able to just disappear and be [BILLY.]
A simple Christian.
Yes.
[SIGHS.]
Above all things, I do think of myself as just a simple Christian.
It's the values of Christian living that root me, guide me.
Define me.
Have you always been such a good speaker? I was actually a shy child.
- No.
- Mm-hm.
Speaking as a shy child myself, I have to say that I find that very hard to believe.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- No, ma'am, it's true.
The first time I ever spoke in public, I was 12 years old.
At school.
The school principal told my mother he thought I was a natural, that, of all things, I had a gift.
[CAR DOORS SLAM.]
[CAR DOOR SLAMS.]
[MACMILLAN.]
I've no objection to his being here.
It's the word "crusade" - that troubles me.
- [LAUGHTER.]
If the Reverend Graham is the crusader, the implication is that we're heathens! - [LAUGHTER.]
- [MACMILLAN.]
Not sure I go along with it.
Mr.
Wheeler-Bennett, sir.
- Ah, excuse me.
- [LAUGHTER.]
- [PHONE RINGS.]
- [MEN CONTINUE CHATTING.]
Prime Minister.
Thank you for seeing me.
You didn't give me much choice.
"A matter of the greatest urgency.
" Your team of troublesome historians? Committed historians.
Principled historians.
- Is that the file in question? - Yes.
Let's make a start.
- [LAUGHTER.]
- [CHATTER.]
- Ah, there you are! Plotters all! - [GUESTS CHUCKLE.]
[GUESTS.]
Your Royal Highness.
Are the curtains drawn? - Does treason abound? - [LAUGHTER.]
George, thank you so much.
- Cecil, it's so good of you to come.
- Sir.
- Dear Bobbety.
How are you? - Hello, sir.
I'm very well.
Walter, thank you so much for all this.
[MAN.]
We all know why we're here tonight.
- [LIGHTER CLICKS.]
- To see if we can help our dear friend, His Royal Highness, in his quest to find A final act to this sad drama.
And to turn it into a great history play.
He seeks a job.
A purpose.
Well, that's why I'm here.
To ask you all, my council of war, my my Brains Trust of politicians, artists and philosophers.
- Something in the military, perhaps? - [DUKE.]
Well, why not? I was made a major-general, attached to the British military mission in France at the beginning of the war, in a liaising role between us and the French, and I very much enjoyed it.
Or a position within the Board of Trade.
Well, what kind of position? Helping promote Britain's economic interests abroad.
- Well Yes.
- The right man in the right position could contribute so much to Britain's economy, helping boost our much-needed dollar reserves.
- A man with charm, contacts, influence.
- [DUKE.]
Hmm.
And the magic of being a former King.
Look, doesn't it all feel a little grubby, Walter, all those grasping international businessmen, the whiff of profit and self-interest? No, I like the direction we were heading earlier, the idea of a liaison post.
- Then what about the diplomatic service? - Oh, I like that idea.
Don't the Americans have these unofficial roving ambassadors nowadays? Yes, they have two in London at the moment.
Hmm.
Well, something like that would be ideal.
[WALTER.]
Well, I think we have [DUKE.]
"My dearest darling Peaches.
What a weight is off my mind.
Monckton really did come up with the goods, and his friends really do seem to want to help me.
Now, all I must do is wait, while they discreetly make representations on my behalf.
I would say 'wait and pray, ' but all taste for prayer has left me, as I survey the madness involving the American evangelist here.
What has happened to the people of this country, turning like lemmings to this crusading showman from Charlotte for their inspiration? Rumor reached me that Shirley Temple even invited the fool to preach at Windsor Chapel.
Can you imagine the banality of those exchanges? The smugness, self-congratulation and hypocrisy.
What a grotesque occasion that must have been.
Now bed calls, and for once, as my head hits the pillow without yours beside me, I can truthfully say, all is well.
Today was a day worth living.
Your loving husband, David.
" - [MICHAEL.]
Good morning, sir.
- Primed and ready? Ready for you now, sir.
I received a visit yesterday afternoon from John Wheeler-Bennett, the senior historian in charge of publishing the German war files, who informed me that this government was now left with no choice but to publish certain material, which both my predecessor, Winston Churchill, and yours, your late father, tried to suppress.
What material? The Marburg Files, ma'am.
[TYPEWRITER CLICKS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
This was always going to come back to haunt us.
Shortly after the war ended, some British troops Uh American.
American troops arrested a German soldier, as he was retreating from Treffurt.
Near Eisenach.
In central Germany.
I don't remember the soldier's name.
Leutnant von Loesch.
[QUEEN MOTHER.]
Turns out, this soldier was Hitler's personal translator.
[MICHAEL.]
Uh The assistant to Hitler's personal translator, ma'am.
Hitler's personal translator was Dr Schmidt, Dr Paul Schmidt.
All right, you tell the story, Michael.
Please.
Thank you, ma'am.
When his offices were being evacuated [GERMAN SOLDIERS CHATTER.]
[MICHAEL.]
Dr.
Schmidt asked his assistant, von Loesch, to dispose of all the top-secret papers, which he had placed in archives.
Von Loesch duly burnt the vast majority.
[GERMAN SOLDIERS SHOUT AT ONE ANOTHER.]
But, he secretly kept the most valuable material, hoping to use it to negotiate his freedom and to escape trial.
[BIRDS CALL.]
- [BOX THUDS.]
- [GROANS.]
Among the papers which von Loesch kept back, there was one file pertaining to Anglo-German relations, in particular, the relationship of Nazi high command with His Royal Highness, the Duke of Windsor.
I think it's fair to say, the reality exceeded even our worst fears.
- We did everything to contain this - [MAN.]
That's your lot.
unaware that a copy had been sent to the Americans [TYPEWRITER CLICKS.]
who are now insisting that this volume of the Marburg Files be published.
[QUEEN MOTHER.]
And this is the man you inexplicably let back into the country.
I hope you have a strong stomach.
[EXHALES.]
[DUKE.]
Thank you, Joe.
- Your Royal Highness.
- Foreign Secretary.
- Please.
- Thank you.
You have loyal and persistent friends, sir.
Oh, thank you.
Following their representations and having given the matter careful thought, it looks like we now have several options.
Please.
The first option I'd like you to look at would be the role of ambassador to France.
[WALTER.]
To a happy and purposeful future.
- Hear, hear! - [WALTER.]
His Royal Highness.
[ALL.]
His Royal Highness! [DUKE.]
"My dearest darling one, I met with the Foreign Secretary today who has managed to find three posts where I could do something of value and importance.
I am so happy.
These posts would offer me the chance to serve my country and make a difference.
As to the green light, as far as government is concerned, it's a go.
Only one obstacle remains, to get the blessing of the Crown, which involves a brief trip back to that miserable mausoleum, Buckingham Palace.
Counting down the minutes until I am back in your arms again.
- Your loving husband, David.
" - [INHALES, EXHALES.]
[BELL RINGS.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
The Duke of Windsor, Your Majesty.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- Your Majesty.
- Ah, yes.
It's your first time back.
- In this room, yes.
That color was me, French Gray.
So, to what do we owe the pleasure? I assume it's about this new book that you're writing.
Oh, actually, I've come here today on another matter.
A job.
That while I'm clearly no longer a young man, I'm also not yet an old one and might be able to usefully serve the Crown.
You had a chance to serve this country, the greatest chance.
You gave it up.
Well, I gave it up because of the way my wife was treated, not because I no longer wished to serve this country.
Anyway, one or two ideas came up.
For jobs, which would require the blessing both of government and Crown.
Of course, before coming here and bothering you, I made sure the support would be given by government and I've been assured of that support.
Support for what jobs? Well, three possibilities came up.
The first is the ambassadorship to France.
The PM and Foreign Secretary aren't keen on the incumbent, Gladwyn Jebb.
And the second option? Oh, uh, as a special liaison to the Board of Trade.
The third? As, uh, High Commissioner, working with the Commonwealth Relations Office to protect and promote British interests throughout the world.
This would suit me, I think, uh, as it specializes in the practical side of diplomatic work.
Entertaining.
Well, I'm sure that you'd do all three jobs very well indeed.
But in light of what I've recently learned about [STUTTERS.]
About what? About events that took place, while you were in Lisbon during the war.
- From whom? - From state papers.
Which state papers? German state papers which American historians, supported by the French and the British, are now threatening to publish.
And what exactly is in these papers? Letters.
And telegrams.
Communications detailing your relationship with Nazi high command.
Well, it's utter nonsense.
In one telegram, from 1940, it states that you were considering publicly going against the government and pledging your support for peace with Germany, thereby breaking with my father, the King.
In another, it says that, in return for your support, the German government offered you a home in Spain, where you could wait out the rest of the war in peace and safety while your countrymen gave their lives.
I went to the Bahamas as the British government instructed.
Yes, you were instructed to go to the Bahamas because of your views.
In these papers, you're quoted as saying that the Führer's desire for peace was in complete agreement with your own point of view.
[INHALES, EXHALES.]
You were too young to remember.
I, alas, not.
Hitler and his henchmen were once our friends.
As King, I was committed to the idea, passionately committed, that England and Germany should never be enemies again after the horrors of the Great War.
People forget, there was no indication of who Hitler would become.
You could argue that we were the ones that made a monster of him, by refusing to be his allies.
This is the point.
People make stands.
They grandstand to pat themselves on the back for their great virtue.
And what is the consequence? Another grotesque war.
Millions more dead.
When peace was all that mattered to me.
In that spirit, I am asking you to make peace with me today.
Elizabeth, the British are a sensible people; they will never believe these claims against me.
They will dismiss these papers for what they are: baseless rumors and German propaganda.
[BELLS RING IN THE DISTANCE.]
[PHILIP.]
Everything all right? - [ELIZABETH.]
Can I ask your opinion? - Of course.
What about? [SIGHS.]
Forgiveness.
Goodness.
What have I done now? [ELIZABETH.]
No, not you.
Uncle David.
- I think it's time that he be forgiven.
- Are you mad? - You can't forgive that man.
- Why not? What he did to this country.
Those were different times.
He's explained all that to me.
Mm, I bet he did.
Philip.
Forgiveness is very important to me.
It's not often I say this, so perhaps if I do, you will take it seriously.
[SIGHS.]
[LAUGHS.]
Ask Tommy Lascelles to come and see you.
- What? - [LAUGHS.]
And tell him of your proposed course of action.
- I can't keep summoning him like that.
- Why not? - Well, he's retired for one thing.
- Well, then go and see him, in an unofficial capacity.
For sherry or tea.
Or human blood, whatever that monster drinks.
And ask him about your uncle.
He was his private secretary while he was King.
He knows everything there is to know.
[CAR APPROACHES IN THE DISTANCE.]
[CAR PULLS UP OUTSIDE.]
[GRUNTS.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
- Your Majesty.
- Tommy, is it terribly inconvenient? [TOMMY CHUCKLES.]
- [ELIZABETH HUMS.]
- [TOMMY SIGHS.]
Ah! - You're mid-battle! - Yes, ma'am.
Now, don't say anything.
Ah Yes, those uniforms - It's 19th century? - Yes.
And that standard is the Duke of Wellington.
Very good, ma'am.
So it's Waterloo.
- Salamanca.
- Ah.
Ah And these? [TOMMY.]
Troops of Sir Edward Pakenham's Third Infantry Division.
Oh, they're lovely.
Did you have them made? A gift, ma'am.
From your grandfather, when I was in his service.
Hmm.
- [TOMMY.]
Shall we, ma'am? - [ELIZABETH.]
Yes.
[EXHALES.]
I'm proposing to let the Duke of Windsor back into public life.
And, as an example of a Christian in a Christian country, to forgive.
Your Majesty, that would [CLEARS THROAT.]
In my view [SIGHS.]
Be a mistake.
Why? Before you make your decision, ma'am, I believe you should be in full possession of the facts.
- I've read the Marburg Files.
- So have I.
I said full possession.
- You mean there's more.
- Yes, ma'am.
[TOMMY.]
The Duke of Windsor made his loyalties clear as soon as he became King.
Surrounded himself with a new breed of courtier, men such as Carl, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, a renowned Nazi.
He also shared classified Allied documents with the Duchess of Windsor, who was herself, we believe, sharing a bed forgive me, ma'am with the German ambassador, Herr Ribbentrop.
It became so bad that the government had to stop putting secret and sensitive papers in his red box.
But we needn't have worried, because then we had the abdication.
Having promised to retire from public life, we now know that he had no such intention.
Why else would the pair of them decide to visit Hitler in Germany? [CROWD CHATTERING.]
[OFFICER.]
Heil Hitler! [CROWD.]
Heil Hitler! [TOMMY.]
The Führer labeled the trip an unofficial state visit, so it is unsurprising that it was on that same trip, at the home of Herr Hess, that the plan was hatched.
A plan to reinstate the Duke of Windsor as King of England effectively betraying and dethroning your dear late father, in return for German forces being given free rein across Europe.
German troops were even promised to quell a colonial rebellion, if necessary.
And there were visits to SS training schools and early versions of the concentration camps.
Now, of course, the full horrors were yet to come.
Nonetheless, he visited.
Shall I continue, ma'am? When a German aircraft crashed in Belgium carrying Hitler's entire military plan for the invasion of France, the Duke wasted no time in letting his Nazi friends know that Allied forces had, indeed, recovered this priceless information, which gave Germany time to change its plans.
And, in less than a month, Paris fell to German occupation.
But perhaps worst of all, the Duke told the German government that resolve in the United Kingdom in the face of the German aerial bombardment was weakening and that continued bombing that is, the continued slaughter of his fellow countrymen and former subjects, would, I quote, "soon make Britain ready for peace.
" [BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[BILLY ON TV.]
The problems of the world can be summed up in one three-letter word: S-I-N.
Sin.
From Psalm 58, "The wicked are estranged from the womb.
They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
" God looks deep down inside of you.
God sees how you really are down inside.
Now, you may be outwardly genteel, refined, cultured, a churchman, of good standing in the community, but is your heart far from God? I've had a chance to think about your request to serve your country.
I was keen to help you and, weighing it all up the amount of time that has passed and my affection for you, personally, all spoke in its favor.
But? But, on balance I think not.
And I'm sure you don't need reminding that under the terms of the agreement reached after the abdication, you are permitted to return to the United Kingdom only at the pleasure and invitation of the sovereign.
Yes? I find myself unable to grant that permission.
And who has fed you this poison? Your mother? No.
Tommy Lascelles? - I came to my own mind.
- But you have no mind of your own.
That's why everyone's so thrilled with you.
The last royal to have a mind of his own was me and that's why they threw me out.
Fine.
I will go.
But let me ask you this.
Who has done more damage to the monarchy? Me, with my willfulness, or you lot, with your inhumanity? We all closed our eyes, our ears, to what was being said about you.
We dismissed it as fabrications, as cruel chatter, in light of your decision to give up the throne.
But when the truth finally came out The truth! It makes a mockery of even the central tenets of Christianity.
There is no possibility of my forgiving you.
The question is: how on earth can you forgive yourself? - [BELL RINGS.]
- [DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
- [REPORTER 1.]
How was your trip? - [REPORTER 2.]
Sir! - [REPORTER 3.]
How's the Duchess? - [REPORTER 4.]
Your Royal Highness! [REPORTERS CLAMORING.]
[REPORTER 5.]
Sir! [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS.]
- Good morning, sir.
- Morning.
- [WHEELER-BENNETT.]
Morning.
- [WOMAN.]
Morning, sir.
- [WOMAN 2.]
Morning, sir.
- [WHEELER-BENNETT.]
Morning.
We have the go-ahead to publish.
Thank you, sir.
[TRAIN WHISTLES.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
[MAN.]
Reverend Graham, Your Majesty.
[BILLY.]
Your Majesty.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
You're very kind to find time for me again.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
Oh, do sit down.
[SIGHS.]
Reverend Graham, uh I asked you here today because there's something that I'd very much like to hear your views on.
Ma'am? Forgiveness.
Are there any circumstances, do you feel, where one can be a good Christian and yet not forgive? Christian teaching's very clear on this.
No one is beneath forgiveness.
Dying on the cross, Jesus himself asked the Lord to forgive those that killed him.
Yes.
But we must remember his words.
"They know not what they do.
" That forgiveness, it was conditional.
True, but he still forgave.
God himself forgives us all.
Who are we to reject the example of God? Mere mortals.
We are all mortals, that is our fate, but we need not be un-Christian ones.
[ELIZABETH SIGHS.]
The solution for being unable to forgive: one asks for forgiveness oneself.
Humbly and sincerely, and one prays for those that one cannot forgive.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[PHILIP.]
Saying one for me? - [ELIZABETH.]
Not on this occasion, no.
- Go on.
Put a word in.
[PHILIP.]
We all know you have the ear of the big man upstairs, - as, as head of his church.
- Oh, you're drunk.
- I am.
I don't deny it.
- Get off.
But not nearly as drunk as either of my drinking companions tonight.
- Care to take a guess? - I wouldn't dare.
[PHILIP CHUCKLES.]
Your de your de [LAUGHS.]
Your dear Ma was one.
- What?! - [PHILIP LAUGHS.]
[PHILIP.]
And Tommy Lascelles the other.
- No.
- Yes! I know.
Hideous thought.
But we all agreed to put aside our historical differences to celebrate the one good thing we all have in common.
Which is? You.
[SIGHS.]
And the heroic way you kicked that wretched fool out today, tail between his legs.
It was hardly heroic.
On the contrary, it was entirely heroic.
And don't, don't for one minute start on about it being a failure of Christianity.
- Uh, it is.
- No.
It's not.
You protected your country and you protected the reputation of your family.
Not to mention successfully banishing Satan from entering the Garden of Eden.
That's Christ's business in anyone's books.
So, it's a gold star from Jesus.
[LAUGHS.]
And a gold star from me.
What are you doing? - [ELIZABETH LAUGHS.]
No! - Yes.
- No.
No, darling.
- Oh, yes, darling! Come on.
[ELIZABETH.]
No! [LAUGHS.]
Ha!