Page 50 of The Gathering Storm (Morland Dynasty #36)
At the Royal Lodge, Windsor, there was a farewell dinner that evening for the royal family only: the Queen, his brothers and sister, and the Queen’s brother and his wife, who had been staying with her since the beginning of the crisis.
An effort had been made with flowers and pretty china to lighten the gloom of the occasion, and the Duke of Windsor at least seemed cheerful, though the Queen was nervous about what he might say in the broadcast he had persuaded the government to allow him to make.
Sir John Reith and Walter Monckton were waiting for him in a specially prepared room in Windsor Castle, and he began speaking at ten o’clock to the nation.
At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.
A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the Empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.
But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.
And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course.
I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all.
This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the Empire.
And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me – a happy home with his wife and children.
During these hard days I have been comforted by Her Majesty my mother and by my family.
The ministers of the crown, and in particular, Mr Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration.
There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, and between me and Parliament.
Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise.
Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the Empire. For that I am very grateful.
I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden.
It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and Empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.
And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!
‘It was a pretty good speech,’ Emma said, turning off the wireless. She had found herself unexpectedly moved, close to tears. It was so momentous, so colossally sad and unnecessary, that things had come to this.
‘It was a very dishonest speech,’ Kit said.
He had also been moved, not for the King personally but on behalf of the country, the people, and history itself.
‘“I was only thinking of what was best for everyone,”’ he quoted.
‘“There has never been any constitutional difference between me and the government.” I especially liked “I did not forget the country or the Empire.” How many times were they invoked to his deaf ears?’
‘But I suppose there were things he had to say,’ said Emma, ‘or they wouldn’t have let him speak at all.’
‘Well, it’s over now. For him, at any rate. For poor Bertie York, it’s just beginning.’
After the broadcast, the ex-King went back to the Royal Lodge to say his final farewells to his family, before his departure for Austria, where on Monckton’s strict instructions he was to wait out the period before the decree absolute.
He did not linger long. He embraced his mother, kissed the Princess Royal and Princess Alice, shook hands with the men, bowed to his brother the King.
All were making a tremendous effort to keep their upper lips stiff, and pretend that it was just the end of another day.
His black Buick was brought round, and he climbed in without looking back. Footmen closed the heavy door with a quiet click, and the Buick rolled away into the swirling fog, a very big motor-car carrying a very small man into the darkness.
As they went up to bed, Kit said, ‘I wonder if Eddie will be made equerry to the new king, or if there’ll be a purge.’
‘But Eddie and Sarah have always been friendly with the Yorks. They live next door to them, for goodness’ sake,’ Emma said.
Kit yawned. ‘True. But you and I might have seen our last royal invitation. We shouldn’t have spent all those weekends at the Fort.’
‘As if we had a choice!’ Emma exclaimed. She paused at the bedroom door. ‘I keep thinking of those little York girls. They’re princesses now. And quiet, good little Elizabeth will almost certainly be Queen one day.’
He recognised the tone of her voice. ‘I’m sad too, darling,’ he said tenderly. He examined her expression. ‘Would you like me to sleep with you tonight?’
‘Would you?’ she said gratefully.
He put a companionable arm round her, and they went in together.