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to ask for your uncle's consent

before you ask for her hand?

And your people?

(CLICKS TONGUE)

SERETSE :
'Dear Uncle...

'...I realise this won't please you.

'You and the tribe won't like it.

'I have asked an Englishwoman to marry me.

'A white woman.'

(CREAKING)

It will not happen.

It will.

What in God's name is wrong with you?

At least Muriel

only wants to convert them!

I've said yes.

- She might change her mind, George.

- She won't!

Mum, I've met the man

I want to spend my life with.

And how many other wives

do you think he's already got, eh?

- You disgust me.

- George, don't.

You think about this, Ruth.

You marry a black,

you make it impossible for us.

For your mother, for Muriel.

You may choose

a life of insults and shame...

...but what about us?

We've only ever loved you.

Father...

I can't see you again.

Not if you choose him.

(SERETSE PANTS)

This... is not how I wanted it to be.

You separated from your family.

I have fears, Ruth.

Not just about this, but... my uncle.

You can't take us all this way

to tell me you have fears!

Not for me, for you!

For everything

I am asking you to sacrifice.

Can you... even imagine a life in Africa?

Yes.

We'll take it moment by moment, won't we?

Together.

(TYPEWRITERS CLACKING)

Morning, ladies.

An early tea break for you all.

I need to speak to Miss Williams.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Ruth, uh, there's a gentleman to see you.

Good morning.

MANAGER :
I'll leave you to it.

- Sir Alistair Canning.

- (DOOR CLOSES)

I am the British Government

representative in southern Africa.

And yet I find myself in London today.

Because it is my duty to inform you

that Mr Seretse Khama

has been gravely mistaken

in believing he may take you as his wife.

A marriage between you cannot take place.

A chief cannot simply come to London,

and pluck a girl out of a typing pool.

I'm not a typist.

Any union between you and Mr Khama

will have implications

for the not-insignificant neighbouring

countries of Bechuanaland.

Not least South Africa,

the prime minister of which is currently

enshrining into law the policy of...

The policy of apartheid.

Do you know this word?

(LIGHTER CLICKS)

No.

No. Well, it is this...

The black must live separately

from the white.

He must attend

his own school, hospital, church,

and he must never conjoin

with a white woman.

Your entry in Africa with him

would be seen as a flagrant disregard

for the current political climate.

It would be an act more powerful

than your limited experience

will allow you to comprehend.

We have already heard the presidents

of South Africa, southwest Africa

and the Rhodesias.

Yet all demanding that

this marriage not take place.

As a matter of diplomatic necessity.

I take it you need no more from me

to confirm that

you will not marry this man.

I will confirm nothing of the kind.

Have you no shame?

The British administration may dictate

many things in my country,

but they will not dictate who I marry.

They are trying to define us,

based on their rules,

their idea of the world,

and how they see it.

Seretse, do you hear yourself?

These men are at the very top

of government. They're powerful.

- Muriel, stop interfering.

- Stop it! Both of you!

Ruth...

Father won't talk to you.

You're called a whore in the street,

and now this.

You know how much I love Seretse.

But you don't have to do this.

Muriel, I've never wanted anything

like I want this.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Enter.

Sir.

CANNING :
Mr Khama.

Good morning.

Sir Alistair Canning.

How do you do?

I believe you've met my fiance,

Ruth Williams.

- Indeed.

- Sir.

We are told you can provide us

with some information, Sir Alistair.

Well, if I can,

then I most certainly will.

SERETSE :
Who exactly has asked you

to interfere with my wish to marry?

I will tell you... exactly.

I received advice

from the Archbishop of Canterbury,

who was instructed by the Secretary

of State for Commonwealth Affairs,

who was himself instructed

by the solicitor, Douglas Buchanan,

who was, in turn,

instructed by his client,

your uncle, Tshekedi Khama.

So, you see...

...everyone here, and in southern Africa,

is acting entirely according

to the wishes... of your uncle.

I knew he wouldn't take it well,

that he'd be angry with me,

but why is he allowing himself

to be used by them?

It's only you and I

who want us to be together.

No one else.

You are the only one

I want to spend my life with.

There's nothing in law

that says we cannot marry.

SERETSE :
Have you got the rings?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

REGISTRAR :
It is with pleasure

I pronounce you man and wife.

May I offer you my congratulations?

(CHEERING AND LAUGHTER)

RUTH :
Thank you so much.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Mrs Khama...

(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)

Mrs Khama, do you intend

to learn the native language?

- I will try, yes.

- And I will give her plenty of help.

Mr Khama, I hear your tribe are rebelling

against you bringing a white queen home,

according to South Africa this morning.

South Africa has her own agenda.

Perhaps you should report on that.

Thank you. That'll be all.

(CLAMOURING)

Rebelling?

It's exaggeration. It has to be.

REPORTER :
'Bechuanaland chief from the

southern African British protectorate...'

REPORTER 2 :
'Office girl, Ruth Khama,

will travel to Africa...'

REPORTER 3 :
'Bechuanaland

will meet their new queen...'

(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)

Mrs Khama... welcome.

(CLAMOURING)

Will your family be coming to visit?

- (SPEAKS SETSWANA)

- Sir.

(SIGHS) Sir Alistair Canning

wants to meet before I see my uncle.

PORTER :
Good afternoon, sir.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

I have special dispensation as the king.

But we use a different entrance.

CANNING :
Mr and Mrs Khama.

Welcome, Mrs Khama.

Thank you.

We didn't want to leave it too long

before Ruth could see her new home.

What would you like to drink, Mrs Khama?

Gin and lime would be lovely.

CANNING :

We have lemonade for you, Mr Khama.

You are aware of the prohibition

of alcohol for blacks in Bechuanaland?

Well, if my husband is having lemonade,

then I will have lemonade.

Ah, here he is! It's our new district

commissioner, Mr Rufus Lancaster.

How do you do, Mr Khama?

A pleasure.

- Mrs Khama.

- How do you do?

Let me pour you that lemonade.

CANNING :
I've asked Mr Lancaster along

to give you an assessment of affairs

in Serowe,

in light of your meeting at the kgotla,

Mr Khama.

You would like to tell me

how my people are feeling?

80% of the people

support your uncle's refusal

to accept your wife

as queen of your tribe.

May I ask how you arrived

at that figure, Mr Lancaster?

We are recommending that you resign

any claim to the chieftainship,

and that you announce that fact

to your tribe with a meeting.

The kgotla, Sir Alistair,

is the place where

our tribal decisions are made,

where every man has his say.

There, and only there, can the support or

dissatisfaction of my people be measured.

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