Classic Albums: Queen - The Making of 'A Night at the Opera' Page #3

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Where do they find these people?

Thank you.

Brigadier Sir Charles Wood.

Air Commodore Wessex.

- Prime Minister.

- I'm so sorry, sir.

If there's anything

I or my government can do...

They stood up as we drove past,

in cafs, in restaurants,

removed their hats.

This was Paris,

and you could hear a pin drop.

- I imagine it will be the same here.

- The palace prefers a private funeral.

- What are your feelings on that?

- I...

I think that'll present us

with difficulties.

So do I.

My mother... The Queen comes

from a generation not best equipped.

She grew up in the war.

I think what we need,

what this country needs,

is a more modern perspective,

if you follow.

- Balmoral is...

- I think I understand.

'An aircraft of the Queen's Flight

brought the Princess's body home,

'where the Prime Minister gathered

with members of his government.

'A black hearse crossed the Tarmac

'and a Royal Air Force guard of honour

moved forward.'

Has anyone heard from the Spencers?

Did they say when the funeral will be?

Hmm? I don't know.

Nobody tells me anything.

'President Clinton

heard the news last night.'

'We liked her very much.

'We admired her work for children,

for people with AIDS

'for ending the scourge

of land mines... '

On our walk today, one of the gillies

said he'd seen a stag up Craggy Head.

- He reckoned 14 points.

- Oh.

We haven't had one

as big as that on the estate for years.

No. Quite.

'... and I was tremendously impressed... '

Anyway, I thought

it might be a good distraction.

- For the boys.

- What, stalking?

- You don't think it's too soon?

- Anything that gets them out is good.

'... as their relationship

deteriorated,

'she became increasingly unhappy.

'The couple divorced

in August of last year.

'Their love story

brought crowds into the streets.

'They came to see the Queen

and the Prince,

'but most of all,

they came to see Diana.'

- I'm going to bed.

- 'But the fairytale was destined... '

I'll ring the Lord Chamberlain's office

to say we'll send representatives

to the meeting.

Thank you, Stephen.

She gave us so much.

Why couldn't we have given her

something and left her alone?

It just... hurts me so much.

I've never experienced

anything like this.

I wait to wake up,

like it's a bad dream.

Right, it's ten o'clock.

Let's get started.

Thank you all for coming

at such short notice.

I think we all agree that this is

a sensitive occasion,

which presents us

with tremendous challenges -

logistically, constitutionally,

practically,

diplomatically and procedurally.

Oh, Christ.

After 18 years of opposition,

I am proud to stand before you

as the new Prime Minister...

Labour Prime Minister.

I want to set an ambitious course

to modernise this country,

to breathe new life

into old institutions,

to make privilege

something for the many, not the few.

You think the royals are nutters?

You should meet their flunkies.

Two and a half hours to choose

between a hearse or a gun carriage.

You got raves in the press. This calls

you "The nation's mourner in chief."

This lot says you correctly judged

the country's mood.

- Hello?

- Even The Mail was impressed.

People's princess, mate. You owe me.

- Gordon for you.

- Tell him to hang on.

Alastair...

- Is it going to be a public funeral?

- Yeah. Saturday.

- It's a whopper. The Abbey, the works.

- Great.

- Has anyone told the Queen?

- I don't know.

No doubt some flunky will be

dispatched, grovelling on all fours.

Do you think it's wise

for the boys to go stalking?

Anything

that gets them out is good.

Maybe they shouldn't take guns.

If a photographer saw them,

it might send the wrong signal.

If there is a photographer out there,

he could be the first kill of the day.

I see Mr Fayed was buried last night.

At midnight. No cameras, no fuss.

Very dignified.

Why do they do that? Why do they bury

the bodies so soon after death?

Islamic tradition.

- Something to do with the heat.

- Mmm.

It stops the body decomposing.

Come in.

Good morning, ma'am. Ma'am.

Yes, Robin? What can we do for you?

Er... ma'am, there was a meeting

at the palace this morning.

About the funeral arrangements. Yes.

The Lord Chamberlain faxed these plans

for you to consider.

There is now general agreement, ma'am,

that a public funeral

would be more appropriate.

I see.

And what form will this funeral take?

At the moment, they're suggesting...

and, of course, these are early days,

basing it on Tay Bridge.

- Tay Bridge?

- What?

Tay Bridge is the code name

for my funeral.

Indeed, ma'am,

but it would be

for practical reasons only.

It's the only one

which has been rehearsed,

the only one

that could be put together in time.

But I supervised those plans myself.

Indeed, and the Lord Chamberlain

was at pains to stress

that the spirit of the occasion

will be quite different.

For example, the suggestion is

that instead of 400 soldiers,

charities march behind the coffin.

And, instead of foreign heads of state

and crowned heads of Europe,

the guests would include a sprinkling

of actors of stage and screen,

fashion designers

and other... celebrities.

Celebrities?

Oh.

Er... was there anything else?

No, ma'am.

Oh, yes, one other thing.

The police commissioner was keen

that you consider

the idea of a condolence book.

It would give the growing crowds

something to do,

make marshalling them easier.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

- Oh, and the flowers.

- What flowers?

The flowers outside Buckingham Palace.

They're blocking the main gate,

and making things difficult

for the changing of the guard.

Fine. Just move them away.

The Lord Chamberlain was wondering

whether we shouldn't leave the flowers

and send the guards

through the north gate.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Yes, quite right.

Stephen Lamport on One.

- Who?

- Prince of Wales's private secretary.

- Balmoral.

- He says it's urgent.

It's all right.

- Good morning.

- Good morning, Prime Minister.

The Prince of Wales has asked me

to thank you for your kind words.

Not at all.

The Prince feels that you and he

are both modern men

of similar mind,

who could work well together

at this difficult time.

Er... well, please thank His Highness,

and assure him

he can count on my full support...

...at all times.

- Was that it?

- Er... yes.

Goodbye.

Bizarre.

- Why is Charles doing this?

- What?

Creeping up to me like this,

banging on about being modern.

He did it at the airport.

He knows that if the Queen

gets it wrong over Diana,

the royals will become

public enemy Number One.

- He's terrified of being shot.

- Who, Charles?

His people have asked

for extra protection.

He thinks if he's seen

to be on our side,

that will leave the Queen

in the firing line.

So it's OK for his mother

to take the bullet and not him?

What a family!

- Wait. Where are they?

- Up at Craggy Head.

- I'll come with you.

- In you go.

- Do you want me to drive?

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