King Charles III Page #6

within this country,

rather than atop the mound, unearned

and with a target on my back.

You would not be a prince?!

I'd be...your son,

but, no - my love

for Jessica comes first.

Because like you,

I don't believe that born a prince

must mean I sacrifice my soul.

Dissimilarity, it seems,

does make a match.

So, Harry...

..yes.

You may do as you wish.

Sir, whatever you may do,

this story is distraction when the

Crown itself is in dispute.

The people need to hear from you.

As we discussed,

despite your reservations,

you must now go and meet the press.

Excuse me.

OK?

OK.

DOOR CLOSES:

William!

I didn't know you would be here.

We'll always serve the

interests of the Crown.

As family, we should be seen as one.

James says it's what they will

expect of us.

It was James persuaded you to come?

It was in conversation, yes.

I don't know how to thank you,

James.

It will be now with pride and

strength of clan

I stand my ground and state my case.

As always, James,

you've thought of everything.

The picture here like this

is now complete.

The family will be my backdrop

and the news will say,

the country's safe,

and clear united.

Ah, no photos yet, please.

Good morning.

As you know, we've only got

about 20 minutes.

So, erm,

His Highness will say a few words.

Then we can do some set-ups

afterwards. Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Gosh, there's quite a few of you -

but thank you all for coming

here today.

My wife and I have been so shocked

by scenes unfolding

here and overseas.

My father has,

through noble conscience said,

as is his right, he will withhold

assent -

and furthermore, as is legal, too,

he has dismissed elected government.

Of course, this has resulted

in disquiet.

Not just in homes

and streets, or in the House,

but in our family, too.

My wife and I respect my

father's choices,

but do wish this could have

been avoided,

and so, today, I do announce

that I, as Prince Of Wales,

from now will try to mediate between

the King and the House of Commons.

I am convinced there is

a way to move on this,

without the need for further

violence,

and respecting both democracy

and the ancient British power

of anointed King.

I have my father's

blessing in this role.

He is as keen as I am to see an end

to this destructive

and divisive time.

I'm also lucky to have

Catherine, too.

For all of this was

actually her idea.

Turns out she's cleverer than

all of us. She'll sort us out.

CAMERAS CLICK AND PRESS SHOU Your Majesty, sir,

I want to explain.

You knew what William

would say to them?!

Indeed. I made it possible

for him to speak.

You're surely not intending

still to work for me,

not after treachery like this?

Your son has offered me employment.

I hope you fail

in everything you do!

Prime Minister.

SHOUTING AND JEERING

Unjust.

Unkind.

Unruly mob! But wait. What's this?

There's now no tank,

there's now no men!

Some loyalty!

Roberts! Roberts!

William, where's Roberts gone?

I said to take an hour off.

You said?

That's right, Your Majesty.

"Your Majesty"?

But William, it's me.

Despite the horrid things

you've done, it's me.

So call me Dad, or Father,

if you like, but not Your Majesty,

like all the rest.

I call you that for that

is what you are. Before my father,

long before all else you are the

King, and that's to whom I speak.

But William, come look at this,

a book...

You think too much on books

and history.

But what is power held

if never used?

Our duty's not to simply sit indoors

and hope things get resolved,

but to engage all parties

and attempt to find a way...

"Engage all parties"?!

King's no such duty.

Duty royal. Shared amongst us all.

I do not request your counsel!

Instead it is support, expected,

and support that you must give.

You should apologise for such

betrayal!

But I'll put it down to youth,

and nerves.

Now help me and go fetch

good Roberts here.

The tank was still remiss,

and all those guards Sir Matthew

kindly put in place have gone.

I know.

You know?

What do you mean, you know?

Sir Matthew came to Kensington.

We spoke.

I said with the unrest and violence

that has spread across the country

we should not be stoking it

with these provocative

militaristic shows.

And what said he?

That it was not a show,

and that he had in consultation

here with you agreed

it was important that the palace

is defended

from attacks within the crowd.

Exactly, you should not have

questioned it!

Having heard his answer I went on

that in an hour

I'll drive straight down The Mall

and enter through the guarded gates.

I then intend to go around the yard

and if, I said, there is a tank,

I'll ask the men in blue

that they do move it off

because it is a danger

having such a deadly weapon

aimed towards the crowd.

And when as promised I drove down

The Mall, police on either side,

expecting that the crowd

would see me and attack the car,

instead they saw who steered and

parted there to let us through.

And as we went between the mob, a

silence briefly fell upon them all.

It was most strange.

They stopped and watched us go...

..and as the gates did

close behind us,

one girl called out,

"You tell him, Will"

And so I must.

Must tell me...what?

You can't go back from

your decision now.

Agreed,

retreating now would be the end.

And yet you can't progress,

the Parliament will never hold

elections as you wish. We'll see!

So I propose on coronation day,

we have two thrones upon the dais

placed, and sat on cushions

next to them are two crowns

awaiting royal heads to rest.

Two thrones, two crowns?

It is not possible for Britain and

the Commonwealth to have,

as you suggest,

two Kings in tandem rule.

No, not two Kings. A King and Queen.

Oh, you mean Camilla?

Oh, oft we have discussed...

Camilla, no.

Then what DO you intend?

Cos if it's what I think

then you must speak the words of

treachery yourself

and shank your father

with a full and clear betrayal.

I mean myself and Kate

are crowned instead.

And what of me?

I simply stand aside?

You offer...abdication

and explain since

taking on the role,

you've felt your age.

There's something in your face

I recognise.

It was Diana...

where I saw it last, and I had hoped

that it had died with her.

But here it is, in you,

ambition lurks!

I'm proud of that ambition,

I'm proud of her...

who, plucked so young,

before she knew the world,

and thrust into a den of lions keen

for meat, was given no protection.

You cast my mum aside, discarded

and destroyed her by repute.

No, I loved your mother at the time

and did my very best

to make sure you weren't harmed!

And that will be your tombstone -

"I did my best. At least I tried."

That's a plea for effort

rather than effect -

and that is you as husband,

you as son, as father, too,

and now as King.

But all our sympathy is

withered up and dry.

This is a job.

You should've got it right

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