00:07Yesterday morning at 2.41 a.m. at General Eisenhower's headquarters, General Jodl,
00:17the representative of the German High Command, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all
00:26German land, sea, and airports in Europe, hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight
00:38tonight, Tuesday the 8th of May.
00:54We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, today is victory in Europe's day, long live
01:05the cause of freedom. God save the King.
01:14Ready? Margaret, I'm not sure this is a good idea.
01:17Come on, the war is over. We have to celebrate. What if something goes wrong?
01:21We'll have Porchy and Peter Townsend with us. What could possibly go wrong?
01:30We're escaping from the palace. Quick, out the servants' door before anyone sees us.
01:39We can't just break out like this. Oh shush, hurry up.
01:46Come on, girls. Hold your noses. Why?
01:54It stinks of alcohol. And sweat. It smells of life.
02:22No. Green Park or Trafalgar Square? I say the Ritz. It's where all the most elegant people go,
02:28and some G's in Worcester. Good plan. The Ritz it is.
02:31Shall we be inside the palace? Why? So we can wave to Mummy and Papa?
02:35Honestly, what's the matter with you? Can't you be irresponsible just once?
02:51Margaret? Margaret? Oh.
02:59Next week is May the 8th. Do you know, it's been over 50 years, and we've never done anything to
03:07commemorate it.
03:08What are you talking about? The Sovereign? I attend VE Day celebrations every year.
03:15No. I mean, our VE Day. It was quite a night. Do you remember?
03:25Of course I remember. We almost lost you. And then we very much found you. The real you. The you
03:39that you gave up in order to be the other you.
03:43Yes, all right. Don't you miss her? She was so much fun.
03:48Oh, it ain't my fault. Oh, it ain't my fault.
03:56And as I recall, we swore to keep the events of that evening secret.
04:05Gin.
04:07Well done.
04:09Revenge?
04:10I can't, I'm afraid. Early start. I'm expected in Clapham Junction, first thing.
04:17Whatever for?
04:18Something to do with the local council's closed circuit television system.
04:25Oh. Do you not have anything tomorrow? No. But, must eat soon. At the weekend. Good.
04:40Why? I always think that's where you're happiest. Come on, dogs. Come on.
04:48Come on.
05:07Green with lust. And sick with shyness. Let me lick your lacquer, Jones.
05:17God, oh, gosh, your royal highness. Put your finger up my nose.
05:29John Betjeman was so mad for me that his friend Morris Bower wrote this filthy bone about it.
05:39Pin your teeth upon my dress. Plant my head with watercress. Only you can make me happy. Wrap me in
05:51a woolen nap.
06:12In a plush petit prat.
06:21Ma'am, wheel me round St. James's, ma'am, let your, ma'am, let your, ma'am, let your, ma
06:41'am,
06:42is she on?
06:43Is she on?
06:43Oh, good luck.
06:45Why?
06:46Oh, my God.
06:51Oh, my God.
07:13Oh, my God.
07:15Oh, my God.
07:28Oh, my God.
07:31Oh, my God.
08:01Transcription by CastingWords
08:31Transcription by CastingWords
09:01Transcription by CastingWords
09:01What? I can't hear you properly
09:02That's because my mouth is still numb
09:06I could bite off my own tongue
09:10and I wouldn't feel a thing
09:11Are we bringing you home?
09:13Yes, tomorrow, apparently for further tests
09:18and edible food
09:20with any luck
09:22I'm smiling
09:24as I say that
09:26Not that you'd notice
09:32But goodbye, Lilibet
09:35See you tomorrow
09:38Oh...
10:09I'll see you tomorrow
10:10I know that
10:32Well, I'm happy to say the stroke was relatively mild, ma'am,
10:35and we ought to be able to treat the condition effectively with just an aspirin a day to thin the
10:41blood,
10:42along with statins to reduce your cholesterol and atenolol to lower your blood pressure.
10:49But these alone will not be enough, ma'am, to prevent the risk of a second, more serious stroke.
10:58You will need to look more closely at your lifestyle.
11:01And make one or two modifications.
11:08So, no more Chesterfields, no more whiskey, no more sweet treats.
11:18Just lemon barley water, nicotine gum, and lots of rehabilitation exercises.
11:33Get out of here, man.
11:35I'm not willing to...
11:37Get in some money, too.
11:41A flea and a fly in a fool were in prison, so what could they do?
11:56A flea and a fly in a fool were in prison, so what could they do?
12:15I'm still alive!
12:17Like some other men do.
12:23Get out of here and get me some money, too.
12:30Why don't you do right?
12:33Like some other men do.
12:37Like some other men do.
12:41Like some other men do.
12:51Oh.
12:54Oh.
12:56Bad time?
12:58Good time?
12:59Mm.
13:02Honestly, I take a nap and everyone thinks I've kicked the bucket.
13:08and now you arrive unannounced with the anxious looks I just wanted to see how
13:14you are I'm well thank you of course you are but I do
13:20hope you're taking it easy and cancelling official engagements some of
13:26them yes no need to cancel all of them you know how I hate an empty diary see
13:34there's that look again I'm fine Lilibet bouncing back on the way up not on the way out
14:26I thought perhaps a gentle stroll nice siesta and
14:34and then dinner on the terrace just two of us stroll yes but then I'd like a
14:41picnic on the beach with the whole gang cocktails at the cotton club and dinner
14:46followed by general bacchanalia at Basil's I'm only here for two weeks I intend to
14:54make the most of it all right you're the boss I most certainly am
15:30well
15:50Oh, my God, my God.
16:05Oh
16:31Oh
17:28Oh
17:33The doctor saw instantly that I'd had another stroke
17:39But that, as it turns out, was the least of my problems
17:43Because even after he'd stabilised me with a cocktail of drugs
17:49The soles of my feet were so burnt
17:52It meant I couldn't stand, never mind walk
17:56Then why didn't you come home sooner?
17:58Because all manner of humiliating preparations needed to be made
18:05A car had to be specially modified
18:11Handrails put all over the place
18:14Like a home for geriatrics
18:17I don't have handrails anywhere
18:19Now I'm back
18:21The doctors want to use leeches on my feet
18:25As an anticoagulant
18:33Her voice is a little odd, but what did she say?
18:35I think it was anticoagulant
18:37You've given me these velcro slippers instead of shoes
18:42Gone are the days of heels
18:45Gone are the days of feet, for that matter
18:49Why not try some gentle exercise?
18:53You could use the palace pool
18:55Exercise can help with moods, too
18:57I'd rather die than do exercise
19:01And, seeing as I'm going to be dead soon anyway
19:05I thought I might as well go out with a bang
19:10It's my 70th birthday
19:12This year, and I've decided I want to celebrate it
19:17With a nice big party
19:18What? At the Ritz
19:22Because we love the Ritz
19:24Don't we, Lilibet?
19:26Do we?
19:28We do
19:29We have such special memories
19:36Oh, in my thoughts
19:39Oh, in my thoughts
19:43Have I missed something?
19:55Look at how I'm dressed
19:57Do you think they all have seen?
19:59Of course
20:00Just tell them who you are
20:02That is the one thing I'm not going to do
20:03Then you're going to have to bite your eyelids a little
20:08Go on
20:18Evening, miss
20:19Here you go
20:25How do you pull the elixir?
20:27There you go
20:30Will you look at that?
20:32What do we do now?
20:35Dive in, I suppose
20:50Cheers
20:51Cheers
20:53Cheers
20:59I said so
21:01Come on
21:06Yes
21:22I'm going to put this in the cloak
21:23Oh, let me escort you
21:24No need
21:31Hello, miss
21:36Thank you
21:37Thank you
21:38Thank you
21:39Thank you
21:40Thank you
21:40Thank you
21:40Thank you
21:42Thank you
21:43Thank you
21:44Excuse me, ma'am
21:45Sorry
21:46Have a nice evening
21:49Wait
21:51Don't go up there
21:53Come with us
21:54Way more fun
22:19I wouldn't go down there if I were you
22:23Americans
22:24Ever heard of the jitterbug?
22:25Well, I know about the doodlebug
22:28It's a dance
22:29Band here
22:30And with good reason
22:31Comes from Harlem
22:32Where?
22:34A ghetto
22:35In New York
22:38Wait
22:40Don't I recognize you?
22:42I don't think so
22:52Right
22:54I'll be off
22:55Will you make my apologies
22:57I will
22:58And wish the birthday girl
23:00A very happy birthday
23:02I will
23:03You taking anyone?
23:05Anne
23:06And Porchy will be there
23:08Ah
23:08Good old Porchy
23:10Yes, good old Porchy
23:11Always good company
23:13Never lets one down
23:19Is everything all right
23:23Sorry
23:25I just find myself
23:26Worrying about Margaret
23:27All the time
23:28Ah
23:29Well
23:29Hasn't it always been like that?
23:32Yes
23:33I suppose it has
23:35It's true
23:35It's true
23:38Yeah
23:38Yeah
23:38I know
23:39There's still
23:39A small number of people
23:39It's true
23:47Yeah
23:47And so
23:59Oh
24:04I'm gonna go to
24:05Sorry ma'am. Go on.
24:33Do you need a hand ma'am?
24:34No, I'm alright.
24:35How are you feeling now ma'am?
24:38Are you still smoking cigarettes ma'am?
24:43How are you feeling?
24:44How are you?
24:44How are you feeling now ma'am?
24:55How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:07How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:14How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:16How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:18How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:20How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:21How are you feeling now ma'am?
25:23I'm looking now on for the windows that little patch of blue that prisoners call the sky?
25:33but one thing that throughout it all sustain me memories as it turns out I
25:49have rather fond memories of quite a few evenings at the Ritz that I'd like to
25:59share with you one in particular comes to mind when a very different side of the
26:08young princess Elizabeth was revealed and I'm sure everyone would love to hear
26:18about that which is why I'm telling it it would miss the point entirely why we're
26:25all here tonight to celebrate you as a child I always felt sorry for children
26:36who didn't have a brother or sister from the day she was born Margaret Rose has
26:43been my constant companion rarely able to see other children we relied on one
26:49another and like Juno swans we were inseparable we we shared a room wore the
26:59same clothes enjoyed the same activities in particular managing our collection of
27:06wooden horses on wheels that we would groom and water and race and whenever we got
27:15into trouble Margaret would blame everything on her imaginary friend
27:20cousin Halifax yes I would there really wasn't anything cousin Halifax wouldn't do
27:27you sounding the air raid bell to wake the guards hiding the gardener's tools he he
27:34really was very mischievous it's not always easy growing up in a family where one
27:42person has to wear the crown being the number two but Margaret has been my ally day
27:50in day out that's the person I wanted to tell you about tonight not the dazzling you
27:57all know that already but the dutiful never wavering my lifelong companion and
28:06support and support without whom
28:15well
28:20it would be unimaginable
28:24dearest Margaret many happy returns
28:40I don't know whether to be touched or cross why I've always wanted to sing your praises in
28:47public well it was both uncalled for and rather thrilling everyone is being nice one should be
28:58seriously ill more often listen to that cough you haven't started smoking again
29:07no of course not that was cousin Halifax
29:17good night Lilibet good night
29:20good night
29:26Mm!
29:30Ugh!
29:32Ugh!
29:35Ugh!
29:39Ugh!
29:41Ugh!
30:18Oh...
30:28Oh, my God.
31:18Hello, you.
31:27Well, goodbye you.
31:30Stop it.
31:33We'll have you up and out of here in no time.
31:35No.
31:37I'm afraid it's serious this time.
31:42I can feel it.
31:46Or can't feel it.
31:48Or like...
31:51I can't feel anything.
31:54Or see anything.
31:58My body's...
32:03...deserting me one limb at a time.
32:08The doctors tell me you aren't eating.
32:12I'm really not hungry.
32:17Well, I brought you these.
32:20Your favourite.
32:23Jam tarts.
32:26Now you're talking.
32:33And a very pretty walking stick for when you're back on your feet.
32:40Mm-hmm.
35:30So sad.
35:31And such terrible news about Lord Carnarvon too.
35:48He would bring horse news.
36:05Which is the only news I ever really want to hear.
36:09Used to hold up his mobile phone when horse bidding was underway so I could hear the action.
36:15He was devoted to you.
36:20Now all those closest to you are abandoning you one by one.
36:27What are you talking about?
36:28What are you talking about?
36:31Yes.
36:32Mummy, soon.
36:35Yes.
36:36Yes.
36:37Me?
36:38Don't you dare.
36:39It's the truth.
36:42I'm not thrilled about it.
36:44In fact, I'm furious about it.
36:47I'm not ready to leave this particular party.
36:52But we need to discuss it.
36:55I've written a very detailed plan for my funeral.
36:59You know what a planner.
37:01You know what a planner I am.
37:03And I want your reassurance that it will go exactly as I intend.
37:13I want to wear my flower dress.
37:17Not some horrid black thing.
37:20And please don't let them put red lipstick on me.
37:25For the chapel I want roses and tulips.
37:30And I want the finale.
37:33The Swan Lake playing on the organs people arrive.
37:40And one more thing.
37:43Very important.
37:46Yes, of course.
37:48Promise me that I will actually be dead when they close the coffin.
37:58Oh.
38:01Oh, Mum.
38:05Bertie, old egg, said young Eustace.
38:08Fancy meeting you here.
38:10The one man in London who can support us in the style we are accustomed to.
38:15Well, by the way, you've never met old Dog Face, have you?
38:20Dog Face?
38:21This is my cousin Bertie.
38:23Hmm.
38:24This is silly.
38:25No, it's wonderful.
38:28Go on.
38:29What are you doing in London, I asked.
38:32Oh, buzzing round.
38:34We're just up for the day.
38:36Flying visit, strictly unofficial.
38:39We oil back on the 310.
38:42We oil back on the 310.
38:45And now, touching on that lunch you very decently volunteered to stand us, which shall it be?
38:52Ritz?
38:53Savoy?
38:54Carlton?
38:55Ritz, please.
38:57Because we love the Ritz, don't we?
39:00Honestly.
39:01You and the Ritz?
39:05If people don't know about that night, they'll never fully understand.
39:11Hmm.
39:12How irresponsible I was.
39:14The scale of the sacrifice you've made.
39:19How much of your true self you've locked up.
39:25Hidden away.
39:27You caused havoc that night.
39:32It was the end of the war.
39:45Now.
39:49You rest.
40:02Let's go home.
41:17You came!
41:18Actually, I'm with friends upstairs and really should go.
41:21Why? Down here is the place to be.
41:29And why is that?
41:31Because down here there's no rank or background.
41:34Just music.
41:43Well, in that case...
41:58Well, no, it ain't my fault.
42:02I said, no, it ain't my fault.
42:07Hell, no, it ain't my fault.
42:12You blame her, I blame her.
42:15It ain't my fault.
42:16Let's go!
42:18No, it ain't my fault.
42:22I said, no, it ain't my fault.
42:27Well, no, it ain't my fault.
42:32You blame her, I blame her.
42:34It ain't my fault.
42:36All right.
42:37No, it ain't my fault.
42:41But no, it ain't my fault.
42:45I said, no, it ain't my fault.
42:51You blame her, I'll blame her, it ain't my fault.
42:55No, it ain't my fault.
43:03It's great.
43:05With all the chaps.
43:10You two haven't seen Elizabeth, have you?
43:13Stop worrying about her. She never does anything irresponsible.
43:16Look, she's been a long time. I'm going to look for her.
43:22I'll come with you, Porchie.
43:27Alright, wait for me.
44:03Come on, Porchie. Let's get her out of here.
44:06No, don't.
44:08Leave her.
44:10Look how happy she is.
44:12All right, wait.
44:13Here we go.
44:15Here we go.
44:17Woo, here we go.
44:27Thank you, porchie.
44:28Yeah!
44:31Thatĭs terrible.
44:32Yeah!
44:34Yeah!
44:36Woo!
44:38Woo!
45:08Let's go.
46:05Let's go.
46:08Let's go.
46:08Let's go.
46:10Let's go.
46:11Let's go.
46:38Let's go.
46:41Let's go.
46:43Let's go.
46:44Let's go.
46:51Aren't you coming?
46:53We can join Mummy and Papa for breakfast.
46:59I'm afraid not.
47:03But I will always be by your side.
47:08No matter what.
47:10Let's go.
47:12Let's go.
47:30Let's go.
47:37Let's go.
47:46Let's go.
48:00Let's go.
48:04Let's go.
48:13Let's go.
48:25Let's go.
48:29Let's go.
48:30Let's go.
48:41Let's go.
48:44Let's go.
48:45Let's go.
48:46Let's go.
48:48Let's go.
48:48Let's go.
48:49Let's go.
48:49Let's go.
48:51Let's go.
48:57Let's go.
49:15Let's go.
49:18Let's go.
49:19Let's go.
49:19Let's go.
49:19.
49:49.
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