Classic Albums: Queen - The Making of 'A Night at the Opera'

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'After weeks of campaigning

'Tony Blair and his family

'strolled to the polling station

'this election day morning.

'The Labour faithful feel pride

'in Mr Blair's achievements

'as he is about to become

the youngest PM this century.'

- Have you voted yet, Mr Crawford?

- Yes, Ma'am.

I was there when they opened.

First in line, seven o'clock.

I don't mind telling you,

it wasn't for Mr Blair.

- You're not a moderniser?

- Certainly not.

We're in danger of losing too much

that is good about this country.

'There is a growing sense

of excitement.

I envy you, being able to vote.

Not the actual ticking of the box,

although it would be nice

to experience that once...

...but the sheer joy of being partial.

Yes. Of course, one forgets that as

sovereign, you're not entitled to vote.

- No.

- Still, I don't feel sorry for you.

You might not be allowed to vote,

ma'am...

...but it is your government.

Yes.

I suppose that is some consolation.

Good morning.

- Shall I draw the curtains?

- Yes, please.

So, did you stay up all night?

Yes, ma'am.

And was it as expected?

Yes, ma'am. Mr Blair.

By a landslide.

Oh, I see.

'They've stopped the traffic

completely

'for Tony Blair's first day of power

in London.

'You've got the ceremonial,

the official

'and you've got a lovely summer's day.

'Tony Blair waving to the crowds,

people waving to them there.

'I guess they know it's

the Prime Minister on the streets.'

The Prime Minister is on his way,

ma'am.

To be, Robin. The Prime Minister to be.

I haven't asked him yet.

He's a hard one to read, isn't he?

Yes. On the one hand,

his background is quite establishment -

father a Conservative,

educated at Fettes.

He had the same tutor

as the Prince of Wales.

We'll try not to hold that against him.

On the other, his manifesto promises

the most radical shake-up

of the constitution in 300 years.

- Think he'll try to modernise us?

- I wouldn't put it past him.

His wife has

anti-monarchist sympathies.

You may remember her curtsy

the first time you met.

It could best be described as shallow.

I don't measure

the depth of a curtsy, Robin.

I leave that to my sister.

Downing Street

is expected to be informal -

everyone on first-name terms,

at the Prime Minister's insistence.

- What, "Call me Tony"?

- Yes, ma'am.

Oh, I don't like that.

Have we sent him a protocol sheet?

- Funny, I'm actually rather nervous.

- Why? You've met her before.

I know, but never one to one,

and never as Prime Minister.

Well, remember, you're a man

that's just been elected by the nation.

But she's still, you know, the Queen.

The audience room is upstairs.

When we reach the audience room,

I will knock.

We shall go straight inside.

Standing by the door, we bow,

from the neck.

I will introduce you.

The Queen will extend her hand.

You go to her, bow again,

then shake her hand.

A couple of other things -

it's ma'am as in ham,

not ma'am as in farm.

When you're in the presence,

at no point must you show your back.

- The presence?

- Yes, sir.

That's what it's called

when you're in Her Majesty's company.

Would you like to sit there, Mrs Blair?

How nice to see you again, Mr Blair.

- And congratulations.

- Thank you.

- Your children must be proud.

- I hope so.

- You've three, haven't you?

- That's right.

Such a blessing, children.

Do sit down.

Thank you.

Have we shown you

how to start a nuclear war yet?

- Er... no.

- Oh. First thing we do, apparently.

Then we take away your passport

and send you round the worid.

You obviously know my job

better than I do.

Yes, well, you are

my tenth prime minister, Mr Blair.

My first was Winston Churchill.

He sat in your chair

in a frock coat and top hat.

He was kind enough to give a young girl

like me quite an education.

I can imagine.

With time, one has hopefully added

experience and wisdom,

better enabling us to execute

our constitutional responsibility,

to advise, guide and warn

the government of the day.

Advice which I...

Iook forward to receiving.

Yes. We'll save that

for our weekly meetings.

If there's nothing else, I believe

we have some business to attend to.

Of course.

Your Majesty,

my party has won the election,

and so I ask your permission

to form a...

No, Mr Blair. I ask the question.

The duty falls upon me, as sovereign,

to invite you to become Prime Minister

and to form a government in my name.

And if you agree,

the custom is to say yes.

Yes.

Mrs Blair, lovely to see you again.

And congratulations.

You must be very proud.

- Yes.

- And exhausted, I imagine.

- Where will you spend the summer?

- France.

- Lovely.

- You'll be in Balmoral?

Yes. Wonderful place.

My great, great grandmother,

Victoria said,

"In Balmoral, all seems to breathe

freedom and peace

"and make one forget the worid

and its sad turmoils."

- Your Majesty...

- Oh, excuse me.

No. Really?

Oh. Yes, of course.

I'm so sorry.

We're going to have to leave it there.

Not too short, was it, 15 minutes?

- One doesn't want to be rude.

- No, ma'am.

Morning.

- "Thanks for coming. Now, f*** off."

- What was that about?

God knows.

It'll be something to do with Diana.

'Princess Diana

embroiled in controversy

'as she pulls out of a meeting

with MPs.'

Princess Diana moved to mend relations

with the former nanny...

Princess Diana attended

a memorial service

for the fashion designer

Gianni Versace.

'... where another

royal controversy sparkles.'

...was embroiled

in a second controversy this week.

I am not a political figure.

Princess Diana sailed

out into the Mediterranean

in one of Mr Mohamed Al Fayed's

yachts today.

- With his son.

...quarter of a million pounds

for photographs which appear

to show the couple embracing.

Once again,

her judgement's under scrutiny.

Earlier today, they visited the...

Robin Janvrin.

What?

Tell Sir Guy I want everyone in ASAP.

Ma'am? Ma'am?

- Yes?

- Ma'am, Mr Janvrin is here to see you.

What?

Oh.

Good evening ma'am.

I'm sorry to disturb, but I've just had

a call from our embassy in Paris.

- It's the Princess of Wales.

- Why? What's she done now?

I see. Er...

Who are we speaking to there?

Right, well, keep me updated.

It's Diana.

She's been in a car accident in Paris.

Is it serious?

Apparently Dodi Fayed is dead.

'Let's recap on the details

of those injuries, Maxine.'

'They're saying the Princess is in

the intensive care unit

'of a southeast Paris hospital.

- 'She has concussion, a broken arm... '

- Why was she in Paris?

- I thought she was in London.

- You know what she's like.

Charles, isn't this awful?

- What will you do about the boys?

- Let them sleep until we know more.

- Yes, that's sensible.

- I should go to Paris.

I told my people to organise a jet.

- What, a private one?

- Yes.

Isn't that the sort of extravagance

they attack us for?

How else can I get to Paris

at this time of night?

Charles, dear, use the royal flight.

They keep one plane

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