King Charles III Page #4

but if he needed inspiration,

he could mull how William IV

resolved a not entirely

different situation.

William IV?

I just suggest you might research

the past.

Your Majesty.

# Lacrimosa dies illa

# Qua resurget ex favilla

# Judicandus homo reus

Huic ergo parce Deus...

You think I didn't love you.

It's not true.

Diana?

An indecisive man,

and oft so sad,

will be the

greatest king we ever had.

Lacrimosa...

The greatest king?

SCREAM ECHOES:

You're never up this early

in the morn

unless for you

it's still the night before.

I'm...I'm sure I heard a scream.

So did I.

So like our mother's voice.

It freaked me out.

I've checked,

there's nothing going on.

Well, that's the story of my life.

Once woke, I lay and thought,

"I've had enough."

This appointed house we share

is yours, not mine.

You will be King, Kate your Queen.

Even if our father's making waves,

at least he's allowed to choose

his course, but I just...

chase your wake, a ginger joke,

bereft of value.

The way our father acts,

the joke may be on all of us.

But then, I saw my phone

and found that Jess had sent a text

which said she thought

that it would never work.

She would embarrass me.

From what I've read, I thought this

Jessica did cheer your mood?

The two of you had fun?

We have, she does -

and not just fun.

We have done things

that most do every day but...

I assumed were

not within my compass Royal.

She has unblinkered me,

and op'ed my eyes.

The world is wider now,

more depth and shape, but...

with this new perspective,

I do only seem more trapped...

by this, the family.

There will be girls to come,

there've always been before.

She's not just a girl.

And if our father's crisis black

does shadow more,

I hope that I can turn,

as I've always done, to you.

And you'll be there,

already at my side,

the pact our mother made us make

as resolute as on the day was sworn.

# Lacrimosa

Lacrimosa.

It's not too late.

Just go at once and persuade your

father of the damage he inflicts.

Catherine, I cannot. You can.

Since Mum died, he's wondered

if myself and Harry

are more loyal to mother lost than

to our father who survived and aged.

To question him on such

a subject now,

when he, I know,

will be embattled and besieged,

will in a second make him draw away.

Instead... Your Highness?

The Prime Minister.

Thank you. Show him in.

Go back to bed

and leave all this to me.

I will not go.

For surely you'll be King some day -

but on that day

I am as much the Queen

and I do not intend to be a

silent partner in that regal match.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Before, when sleeping,

did you hear a scream?

A scream? What scream?

Good Mr Evans, what a kindness shown

to come at such an early hour thus.

I fear my family does cause

you pains.

My lady, I cannot pretend that, yes,

my life would be a joy in recent

weeks if Britain was republic.

Today, you still intend

to call together

all the members of the House,

and then propose exclusion

of the Crown from making law?

I do. Ideally, I'd preserve

the role of the Crown.

But as things stand,

I haven't got a choice.

Would you consider

waiting for a week,

and giving time to let

my father change?

Already, we have waited,

and he changes not.

What if William went at earliest

hour to see his father?

Kate, I can't. What time's the vote?

It's 11 o'clock.

I wonder if Prime Minister

might have one more attempt?

See, I cannot think that if

my father truly understood...

He comprehends it well.

He will not sign.

I have no choice.

My nervous future King,

it's not just him or you you risk

by sitting here

and doing nothing thus -

it is our children, and their

children hence,

and after that all generations Royal

that are to come.

They all do look to you,

insisting you defend the Crown

against this fool's indulgence.

It wouldn't change a thing.

He is too proud.

Then think not only

of persuading him,

but finding lever so he must agree.

What lever?

The fact that both of us

command support

that near thrice outweigh

the aged King...

and if we wanted might begin to itch

in waiting for the Throne.

I will never step across

my father's right.

I'm sorry it's come to this.

I really am.

You did embarrass him.

DOOR CLOSES IN DISTANCE

My husband, look at me.

My love for you is full

and as the moment that we met.

I do not think you weak

at all, but wrong.

Now, become the man I know you

are and act. I am not King.

CLOCK TICKS:

Lacrimosa dies illa...

RHYTHMIC CREAKING

# Qua resurget ex favilla

Judicandus homo reus...

William.

You're now the man

I never lived to see.

Such pain, my son, such hurt.

But now be glad...

..you'll be the greatest

king we ever had.

Lacrimosa dies illa...

Long night, then?

I, erm...

I think I might quit my job.

Be careful about that...

way things are.

I mean, we all have sh*t jobs,

don't we?

Don't want to be rude, but perhaps

your mum and dad can help you out?

My mum's dead.

Oh, right.

Mine, too.

I suppose everybody's mother

dies one day.

Even the King.

His mother dies, he don't even cry.

Now what's that about?

Why do you want to quit, then?

I think I'm in love.

Hmm, pretty girl?

Yeah.

You going to run off with her?

Maybe.

Found that money yet?

Yeah, sorry.

Out of date now, innit?

You know, since she died,

world's gone mad, I swear.

Every night, people have this look.

Bit like you.

And it's like they're terrified.

They don't know where they live.

They don't know what Britain is.

What do you mean?

Like this meat here.

It's not one thing.

Different pieces, different slices,

collected around

one core piece of steel.

But you take that away,

it all falls apart.

Maybe she is

what held it all together.

Where's this girl of yours, then?

She left me.

Do you love her?

Yeah.

Yeah, I think I do.

Find her.

MRS STEVENS:

'I thank you, Mr Speaker,

'and because we know the facts

upon the matter well,

'I will unusually be very brief.'

LAUGHTER:

'There is a contract made between

a man or woman and the State...'

Kate?

'..to which both sides

must there agree,

'that citizen does have a voice

and in return will keep the law.

'And so an intervention such as

this which so removes the voice,

'but keeps the law

is absolutely wrong...'

'Hear, hear!'

Not at the table.

MR EVANS:
'I make assumption we all

will vote in favour of this bill.

'We all here now have made

a choice to come and represent

'constituents to have their say

in this, their House,

'and give their weight

and influence...'

Where is he?

He's upstairs.

He'll be down shortly.

Upstairs?!

Roberts said he

was not to be disturbed.

'..and now he oversteps...'

So we must act.

And not out of disrespect,

but since we have no other choice

than to protect our democratic,

British, way of life.

ALL:
Hear, hear!

And now by ancient process,

on this most important matter,

we'll divide the House.

THREE LOUD KNOCKS

We will divide the House and vote.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote