king's speech queen elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth On 'The King's Speech': 'Moved,' Reacts Favorably

So what's The Queen's Review of 'The King's Speech'?

Two royal thumbs up.

Queen Elizabeth II of England, depicted as the young daughter of King George VI (played by Colin Firth) in the Oscar-nominated film 'The King's Speech,' received a screening about her father's struggle with public speaking and his eventual triumph in inspiring his nation in the face of a German invasion. According to producers The Weinsten Company, she was "moved" by the movie.

The film was only made following the death of her mother, The Queen Mum, who is played by Helena Bonham Carter in the film. She asked writer David Seidel to refrain from committing his screenplay to film until her passing, as it was too painful for her to watch.

Firth has won all the major film awards thus far, including the Golden Globe , for his role as King George VI, and the film, nominated for 12 Oscars , is considered by some to be the favorite after a number of Guild wins over 'The Social Network.'

Here's the full release from The Weinstein Company.

New York, NY, February 4, 2011 - The Weinstein Company (TWC) is honored to learn that Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth , has enjoyed a private screening of THE KING'S SPEECH, as reported by Duncan Larcombe, Royal Editor, in today's edition of The Sun. The film, directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler, tells the story of Her Majesty's father, King George VI, as he struggles to overcome a crippling speech impediment while grappling with his sudden, unexpected ascension to throne and the mounting danger of Nazi Germany. THE KING'S SPEECH stars Colin Firth as King George VI, Geoffrey Rush as the King's speech therapist, Lionel Logue, and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. THE KING'S SPEECH has been seen and admired by many notable public figures, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, who hosted a private screening at his home over the Christmas holidays; Prince Andrew; Lord and Lady William Astor; Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill; and Edwina Sandys, the granddaughter of Winston Churchill (portrayed in the film by Timothy Spall). Screenwriter David Seidler said, "To learn Her Majesty has seen the film, and was moved, in turn moves and humbles me greatly. When, thirty years ago, the Queen Mother asked me to wait and not tell this story during her lifetime, because the memory of these events was still too painful, I realized the depths of the emotions involved. Now this story has been written and filmed with a great deal of love, admiration, and respect for Her Majesty's father. That Her Majesty has responded favorably to this, is wonderfully gratifying." Said Harvey Weinstein, TWC co-Chairman and executive producer of THE KING'S SPEECH, "On behalf of the director Tom Hooper; the producers, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin; Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and our entire ensemble cast: we are deeply honored and humbled by Her Majesty's appreciation of the film. It was a labor of love for all of us and this is high praise, indeed."

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The King's speech

King Charles addresses the nation for the first time after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. In his speech he touched upon his ‘feelings of sorrow’ for his ‘beloved mother’ and his own faith.

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King Charles Remembers the Late Queen Elizabeth in His First King’s Speech 

King Charles delivered his very first speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday, becoming the first king to do so in over 70 years. 

It marked a significant and highly anticipated moment with King Charles wearing the Imperial State Crown and his ermine Robe of State in a ceremony that did not fall short of pomp and pageantry. 

King Charles III and Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla recycled her coronation gown from designer Bruce Oldfield as well as the crimson Robe of State and famous State Diamond Diadem crown and necklace – a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth’s. 

In recent years, the State Opening of Parliament has been scaled down because of COVID-19 restrictions and the late Queen Elizabeth’s ailing health. Tuesday’s ceremony, however, included all the official royal regalia associated with the occasion including crowns and thrones and a procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords in the Diamond State Coach. 

Last May, Charles delivered the monarch’s speech on behalf of Queen Elizabeth who had to pull out of the occasion because of her poor health. On that day, Charles and Camilla were seated alongside the Imperial State Crown. 

On Tuesday, King Charles wore the crown (the same one he wore for his coronation on May 6) in what was a deeply symbolic moment. The crown, which contains 2868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, five rubies and 269 pearls, has not been worn at a State Opening of Parliament for seven years. The Queen found the crown too heavy to wear in later life and opted for a hat and day dress instead. 

Queen Camilla and King Charles III depart from the Sovereign’s Entrance at the Palace of Westminster following the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords.

The King’s decision to opt for all of the formalities at Tuesday’s ceremony – which included page boys to carry the trains of the royal robes — is an indicator of Charles’ penchant for tradition and heritage.

At his side were Queen Camilla and his sister, Princess Anne, who as Gold Stick in Waiting is the King’s chief “protector.” The Princess Royal entered the chamber with Charles, a sign of just how important she is to him.

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal arrives at the Sovereign's Entrance to the Palace of Westminster ahead of the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords.

In his speech, Charles honored his “beloved mother” and spoke of her legacy of “service and devotion.” “It is mindful of the legacy of service and devotion to this country set by my beloved mother the late Queen that I deliver this, the first King’s Speech in over 70 years,” he said from the throne in the House of Lords Chamber.

The last King to deliver such a speech was his grandfather King George VI in 1951 when Charles was a toddler. 

Since becoming King, Charles, who was once seen as a meddling Prince of Wales who lobbied ministers with handwritten letters about issues he cared about, has been careful not to be seen to be political in any way. 

The King’s Speech, which commentators have described having been delivered in a “resolutely neutral tone,” laid out government’s legislation and Charles was obliged to outline Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ’s plans to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda, something the King is privately said to strongly disagree with. On Tuesday, he had his best poker face on, there was no hint of whether he approved or not.

Anti-monarchy demonstrators hold placards reading "Not My King" as they protest against the monarchy and the Crown during a procession for the State Opening of Parliament which marks the formal start of the parliamentary year in London.

While the reception to Charles’s debut King’s Speech has been mostly well received, anti-monarchist demonstrators were out in force at Whitehall. Waving placards with the words “Not My King” and “Down with the Crown” there were loud boos from the 200 or so protestors who had lined the processional route. Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, described the King’s Speech as a “pantomime” but the King seemed oblivious, waving to protestors as he passed by in the state coach.

The King and Queen have engagements later this week including this weekend’s Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.

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The King's Speech (2010)

Helena bonham carter: queen elizabeth.

• Photos (15)

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Quotes 

Queen Elizabeth : [Using the name "Mrs. Johnson"]  My husband is, um... well, he's required to speak publicly.

Lionel Logue : Perhaps he should change jobs.

Queen Elizabeth : He can't.

Lionel Logue : Indentured servitude?

Queen Elizabeth : Something of that nature, yes.

Myrtle Logue : [sees the Queen at her dining table, stunned]  You. You...?

Queen Elizabeth : It's 'Your Majesty' the first time. After that, it's 'ma'am', as in 'ham'. Not 'ma'am', as in 'palm'.

Lionel Logue : [Bertie is lying on the floor, and Elizabeth is sitting on his chest]  Take good deep breaths...

[Bertie inhales] 

Lionel Logue : ...and up comes Her Royal Highness... and slowly exhale...

[Bertie exhales] 

Lionel Logue : ...and down comes Her Royal Highness...

Queen Elizabeth : You all right, Bertie?

King George VI : Yes.

Queen Elizabeth : It's actually quite good fun.

Lionel Logue : Well, we need to have your hubby pop by. Uh, Tuesday would be good. He can give me his personal details, I'll make a frank appraisal, and then we'll take it from there.

Queen Elizabeth : Doctor, forgive me, ah... I don't have a "hubby," we don't "pop," and nor do we ever talk about our private lives. No, you must come to us.

Lionel Logue : I'm sorry, Mrs. Johnson - my game, my turf, my rules.

Lionel Logue : Am I considered the enemy?

Queen Elizabeth : You will be, if you remain unobliging.

Queen Elizabeth : [to Winston Churchill, on the hold that Wallis Simpson seems to have on Edward VIII]  Apparently she has certain skills - acquired in an establishment in Shanghai.

Myrtle Logue : Will their Majesties be staying to dinner?

Queen Elizabeth : We'd love to - such a treat - but, ah... alas, a... previous engagement. What a pity.

Queen Elizabeth : My husband has this... mechanical difficulty.

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A Guide to the King’s Speech: Crown Jewels, Black Rod and a Mace

When King Charles unveils the U.K. government’s agenda in Parliament, he is surrounded by rituals that nod to hundreds of years of history.

By Megan Specia and Allison McCann

Reporting from London

A “hostage,” a search for explosives, heaps of royal jewels and a five-foot mace . Welcome to the reopening of Britain’s Parliament, replete with ancient traditions and elaborate rituals.

The restart of parliamentary business centers on a speech by King Charles III, a ceremonial duty in which he sets out the government’s agenda. Charles delivered his first King’s Speech last November , and he delivered the Queen’s Speech on behalf of his mother , Elizabeth II, in 2022, but Wednesday’s was the first heralding a new party’s time in power.

Despite the name, the speech is not written by the king, but by government officials. The monarch just reads it out.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, which won a landslide victory in a general election earlier this month , announced more than 35 proposed pieces of legislation on issues including energy, transport and the makeup of the House of Lords.

The opening was rife with ceremony and symbolism, all of it steeped in history — with some elements dating back to the Middle Ages. Here is a guide.

A Gaslit Hunt for Explosives

Some elements of Parliament’s reopening take place behind the scenes, including a ceremonial search of the cellars of government buildings for explosives.

Before the king’s arrival, his guards, decked out in royal red, trek down to the cellars, gas lamps in hand. Based on historical precedent, the tradition is a nod to the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot by Guy Fawkes and his Catholic collaborators to blow up Parliament and, with it, King James I, a Protestant.

Then there is the “hostage taking.”

A member of Parliament is ceremonially held hostage in Buckingham Palace while the king visits Westminster, just in case the lawmakers decide not to return him.

This is rooted in the 1600s, when the relationship between Parliament and the monarchy was particularly fraught under Charles I. (He was eventually beheaded at the end of a civil war.)

A Royal Entrance

The king travels from Buckingham Palace through the streets of London to the government buildings at Westminster in a horse-drawn carriage escorted by the Household Cavalry, who serve as his mounted bodyguards.

The Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and the Great Sword of State arrive in their own carriage.

The king pulls up to a special passageway — a looming archway known as the Sovereign’s Entrance — that’s reserved just for him.

The King’s Royal Threads

Then, it was time for a costume change. The monarch heads into the elaborate Robing Room and emerged wearing the Robe of State, an 18-foot red velvet cape. He also wears the Imperial State Crown, encrusted with 2,868 diamonds and hundreds of other jewels, including 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls.

Think bling.

It must be heavy. That may be part of the reason Charles’ mother, Elizabeth, took to wearing a smaller Diamond Diadem in some of her last appearances. She was an expert in opening Parliament, having conducted the ceremony dozens of times throughout her reign.

Slamming the Door in Black Rod’s Face

Sarah Clarke, the House of Lords official known as the Usher of the Black Rod, named for the black stick that she wields, is then sent from the Lords’ Chamber to summon the lawmakers in the House of Commons. She is the first woman to hold the position, taking it up in 2018.

On approach, the speaker of the House of Commons then — ceremoniously, of course — slams the door in her face.

Black Rod must then knock on the door three times. Some say this tradition, which dates from the English Civil War of the 1600s, symbolizes the House of Commons’s independence from the monarchy, although Erskine May, a 19th-century guide to Britain’s parliamentary proceedings, says the custom “is to allow the Commons to establish Black Rod’s identity.” After three strikes on the door, Black Rod is let in. She then leads a procession of lawmakers back to the House of Lords to listen to the king’s speech.

Accompanying her is the sergeant-at-arms, whose role dates from the 1400s, carrying the mace : a five-foot, silver-gilt ornamental staff that represents the royal authority of the crown and dates from at least 1559 .

The King’s Speech

Then it is time for the main event.

From a throne in the House of Lords, the king reads out the agenda and legislative policies of the government.

The Sovereign’s Throne — elaborately carved wood, gilded, set with crystals and upholstered in royal red velvet — was constructed and designed in 1847. It is based on a throne from 1308 that sits nearby in Westminster Abbey.

While the speech is rooted in tradition, its aftermath could be anything but routine, after the remarkable election victory by Labour ended 14 years of Conservative-led government.

The party is now leading the country at a moment of volatility both inside Britain and on the global stage, and faces considerable challenges after a period of intense instability.

Megan Specia reports on Britain, Ireland and the Ukraine war for The Times. She is based in London. More about Megan Specia

Allison McCann is a reporter and graphics editor, covering a range of topics, including abortion, gun violence, voting and, occasionally, women’s soccer. More about Allison McCann