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.
06:01Oh.
06:04Oh.
06:06Oh.
06:07Ma'am.
06:11It...
06:13In a plush and a plated pram.
06:20Wheel me round St. James's, ma'am.
06:25Let your...
06:29Ma'am?
06:34Let your...
06:40Ma'am.
06:42Is she off?
06:42He is.
06:43Smart book a lot.
06:45Why?
06:46Oh my God.
06:49Oh my God.
06:49Oh my God.
06:51Ah!
07:13Oh my God.
07:14Oh my God.
07:29Oh my God.
07:30Oh my God.
07:31Oh my God.
07:31Oh my God.
07:32Oh my God.
07:33Oh my God.
07:33Oh my God.
07:33Oh my God.
07:34Oh my God.
07:36Oh my God.
07:36Oh my God.
07:37Oh my God.
07:38Oh my God.
07:38Oh my God.
07:39Oh my God.
07:40Oh my God.
07:41Oh my God.
07:41Oh my God.
08:09Transcription by CastingWords
08:27Transcription by CastingWords
09:11Transcription by CastingWords
09:32Transcription by CastingWords
09:33Goodbye, Lilibus.
09:35See you tomorrow.
10:14See you tomorrow.
10:32Well, I'm happy to say the stroke was relatively mild, ma'am, and we ought to be able to treat
10:37the condition effectively with just an aspirin a day to thin the blood, along with statins to reduce your cholesterol
10:44and 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.
11:02And 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?
11:52No!
11:54Oh!
12:17Ah!
12:18No!
12:18men do. Get out of here and get me some money too. Why don't you do right like some other
12:35men do. Like some other men do. Like some other men do.
12:53Oh. Oh. Bad time? Good time?
12:59Mm. Honestly, I take a nap and everyone thinks I've kicked the bucket. And now you arrive
13:09unannounced with anxious looks. I just wanted to see how you are.
13:15I'm well. Thank you. Of course you are. But I do hope you're taking it easy. And cancelling
13:22official engagements? Some of them, yes. No need to cancel all of them. You know how I
13:31hate an empty diary. See? There's that look again. I'm fine, Lilibet. Bouncing back on
13:41the way up. Not on the way out.
14:09Mom? Thank you.
14:18Well, Highness. Thank you. I thought perhaps a gentle stroll, nice siesta, and then dinner
14:35on the terrace. Just the two of us. Stroll? Yes. But then I'd like a picnic on the beach
14:42with the whole gang, cocktails at the Cotton Club, and dinner, followed by General Bacchanalia
14:49here at Basil's. I'm only here for two weeks. I intend to make the most of it. All right. You're
14:58the boss. I most certainly am.
15:30inкив
15:31there.
17:33The doctor saw instantly that I'd had another stroke, but that, as it turns out, was the least of my
17:42problems.
17:43Because even after he'd stabilized me with a cocktail of drugs, the soles of my feet were so burned, it
17:53meant 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.
18:06The car had to be specially modified, handrails put all over the place, like a home for geriatrics.
18:16I don't have handrails anywhere.
18:19Now I'm back.
18:21The doctors want to use leechless on my feet as an anticoagulant.
18:33Her voice is a little odd, but what is she saying?
18:35I think it was anticoagulant.
18:37You've given me the Velcro slippers instead of shoes.
18:43Gone 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.
18:58I'd rather die than do exercise.
19:02And, seeing as I'm going to be dead soon anyway, I thought I might as well go out with a
19:08bang.
19:10It's my 70th birthday this year, and I've decided I want to celebrate it with a nice big party.
19:19What?
19:20What?
19:20At the Ritz.
19:22Because we love the Ritz.
19:25Don't we, Lilibet?
19:27Do we?
19:28We do.
19:30We have such special memories.
19:36Oh, it ain't my loss.
19:40Oh, it ain't my fault.
19:44Have I missed something?
19:46Oh, it ain't my fault.
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.
20:04Then you're going to have to bite your eyelids a little.
20:08Go on.
20:18Evening, miss.
20:19Here you go.
20:25How are you pulling your lips up?
20:27Here you go.
20:30Will you look at that?
20:32Well, what do we do now?
20:35Dive in, I suppose.
20:38Miss the message.
20:41You certainly got me well.
20:47What's this, please?
20:50Cheers in the gears.
20:51I said so.
21:01Come on.
21:04Cheers.
21:22I'm going to put this in the cloak, Crump.
21:23Oh, let me escort you.
21:24No need.
21:31Hello, miss.
21:39I'll shoot that.
21:40Thanks.
21:44Excuse me, ma'am.
21:45Sorry.
21:47Have a nice evening.
21:49Wait.
21:51Don't go up there.
21:52Come with us.
21:54Way more fun.
22:19I wouldn't go down there if I were you.
22:22Americans.
22:24Ever heard of the jitterbug?
22:26Well, I know about the doodlebug.
22:28It's a dance.
22:29Band here, and with good reason.
22:32Comes from Harlem.
22:33Where?
22:34A ghetto in New York.
22:38Wait.
22:40Don't I recognize you?
22:41I don't think so.
22:52Right.
22:54I'll be off.
22:55Will you make my apologies?
22:57I will.
22:59And wish the birthday girl a very happy birthday.
23:02I will.
23:03You taking anyone?
23:05Anne.
23:06And Porchy will be there.
23:08Ah, good 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 worrying about Margaret all the time.
23:28Ah, well, hasn't it always been like that?
23:32Yes.
23:33I suppose it has.
24:04I suppose it has.
24:05Sorry, ma'am.
24:08Go on.
24:33Do you need a hand, ma'am?
24:34No, I'm all right.
24:35How are you feeling now, ma'am?
24:39Are you still smoking cigarettes, ma'am?
24:43How are you feeling?
24:44How are you?
25:02Thank you all for coming this evening.
25:08As you know, I've spent much of my time recently lying in hospital beds, sitting in wheelchairs, staring out of
25:23windows at that little patch of blue that prisoners call the sky.
25:33But one thing that throughout it all sustained me, memories.
25:46As it turns out, I have rather fond memories of quite a few evenings at the Ritz that I'd like
25:59to share with you.
26:00One in particular comes to mind when a very different side of the young Princess Elizabeth was revealed.
26:16And I'm sure everyone would love to hear about that.
26:20Yes, they would, Lilibet, which is why I'm telling it.
26:24It would miss the point entirely of why we're all here tonight.
26:27To celebrate you.
26:34As a child, I always felt sorry for children who didn't have a brother or a sister.
26:38From the day she was born, Margaret Rose has been my constant companion.
26:45We were rarely able to see other children.
26:48We relied on one another and, like Juno's swans, we were inseparable.
26:55We shared a room, wore the same clothes, enjoyed the same activities.
27:02In particular, managing our collection of wooden horses on wheels that we would groom and water and race.
27:13And whenever we got into trouble, Margaret would blame everything on her imaginary friend, Cousin Halifax.
27:21Yes, I would.
27:24There really wasn't anything Cousin Halifax wouldn't do.
27:28Sounding the air raid bell to wake the guards.
27:31Hiding the gardener's tools.
27:34He really was very mischievous.
27:38It's not always easy.
27:40Growing up in a family where one person has to wear the crown.
27:44Being the number two.
27:47But Margaret has been my ally, day in, day out.
27:52And that's the person I wanted to tell you about tonight.
27:54Not the dazzling, you all know that already.
27:59But the dutiful.
28:02Never wavering.
28:04My lifelong companion and support.
28:09Without whom?
28:15Well.
28:20It would be unimaginable.
28:24Well.
28:24Dearest Margaret.
28:28Many happy returns.
28:39I don't know whether to be touched or cross.
28:43Why?
28:45I've always wanted to sing your praises in public.
28:48Well.
28:49It was both uncalled for and rather thrilling.
28:55Everyone is being so nice.
28:57One should be seriously ill more often.
29:03No.
29:04Listen to that cough.
29:05You haven't started smoking again.
29:07No.
29:08Of course not.
29:10That was...
29:12Cousin Halifax.
29:18Good night, Lilibet.
29:20Good night.
29:30Oh.
29:35Oh.
29:38Oh.
29:41Oh.
29:45Oh, God.
30:15Oh.
30:53I don't know.
31:18Hello, you.
31:28Well, goodbye, you.
31:30Stop it.
31:32We'll have you up and out of here in no time.
31:35No.
31:37I'm afraid it's serious this time.
31:43I can feel it, or can't feel it, or like, I can't feel anything, or see anything.
31:56My body's...
32:02deserting 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, your favourite, jam tarts.
32:26Now you're talking.
32:33And a very pretty walking stick for when you're back on your feet.
32:40Mm-hmm.
32:42Mm-hmm.
32:43Mm-hmm.
32:43Mm-hmm.
32:44Mm-hmm.
35:30So sad.
35:32And such terrible news about Lord Carnarvon too.
35:37Why?
35:40What's happened?
35:42He collapsed while he was watching the news.
35:46Heart attack.
35:49Poor Gene.
35:52Poor you too.
35:55He was such a special friend.
36:03He would bring horse news, which is the only news I ever really want to hear.
36:09He used 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?
36:29Poor she?
36:31Yes.
36:32Mummy?
36:33Soon?
36:35Yes.
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.
37:00You 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, not some horrid black thing.
37:19And 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, the Swan Lake playing on the organ as people arrive.
37:40And one more thing, very important.
37:45Yes.
37:46Of course.
37:49Promise me that I will actually be dead when they close the coffin.
37:58Oh, Mum.
38:02Oh, 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?
38:31I 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?
39:02No.
39:03You and the Ritz.
39:06If people don't know about that night, they'll never fully understand.
39:11How irresponsible I was.
39:14The scale of the sacrifice you've made.
39:19How much of your true self you've locked up, hidden away.
39:27You caused havoc that night.
39:32It was the end of the war.
39:45No.
39:48No.
39:49No.
40:10Oh, my God.
40:42Oh, my God.
41:10Oh, my God.
41:11Oh, my God.
41:14Oh, my God.
41:16Oh, my God.
41:18You came.
41:19We actually went with friends upstairs and really should go.
41:21Why?
41:22Down here is the place to be.
41:24Oh, my God.
41:28Oh, my God.
41:29And why is that?
41:30Down here, there's no rank or background.
41:33Just the music.
41:42Well, 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.
42:13You blame her.
42:14I blame her.
42:15It ain't my fault.
42:17Let's go.
42:18I said, no, 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.
42:33I blame her.
42:34It ain't my fault.
42:35All right.
42:37No, it ain't my fault.
42:40All right.
42:43No, it ain't my fault.
42:46No, no, it ain't my fault.
42:47I said, no, it ain't my fault.
42:51You blame her.
42:52I blame her.
42:54It ain't my fault.
43:11You two haven't seen Elizabeth, have you?
43:13Stop worrying about her.
43:14She never does anything irresponsible.
43:16She's been a long time.
43:18I'm going to look for her.
43:22I'll come with you, Porchy.
43:26All right.
43:28Wait for me.
43:39All right.
43:41Wait for me.
44:03Come on, Portie.
44:04Let's get her out of here.
44:06No, don't.
44:08Leave her.
44:10Look how happy she is.
44:13Leuna, baby.
44:18We're out of here.
44:20We're out of here.
44:22We're out of here.
44:28There's a lot.
44:34We're out of here.
44:36We're out of here.
45:41There must have been 50 men chasing you out.
45:44Don't exaggerate.
45:46What?
45:47I said don't exaggerate.
45:49It's hard to talk.
45:51When you're sloshed.
45:52When you're chewing gum.
45:56When did you get that?
45:58Well, I'm not sure.
46:01I think it might have come after a kiss.
46:03Minivert!
46:04You didn't intend to kiss him.
46:06This is what everyone else was doing.
46:07They didn't want to be rude.
46:10I think Portia might have seen got a bit cross.
46:13Oh, dear.
46:14I think we are.
46:29Look.
46:31The blossom's out.
46:33Yes.
46:34The sun is rising.
46:40What will this future hold?
46:43For us all?
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.
47:34Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep.
47:39When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep.
47:45Bewitched, bothered and bewildered.
47:50Am I?
47:56Lost my heart, but what a bit.
48:01He is cold.
48:04I agree.
48:05Quiet.
48:05He can laugh, but I love it.
48:12Although the laugh's on me.
48:17I'll sing to him each spring to him.
48:23And long for the day when I'll cling to him.
48:28Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I.
48:39All right.
48:44All right.
49:11You
50:07You
50:17You
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