The Queen (2006)

Helen Mirren: The Queen

Photos 

Quotes 

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Have we shown you how to start a nuclear war yet?

  Tony Blair : Er, no.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : First thing we do, apparently, then we take away your passport and spend the rest of our time sending you around the world.

  Tony Blair : You obviously know my job better than I do.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes well, you are my tenth Prime Minister, Mr Blair. My first, of course, was Winston Churchill, he sat in your chair in a frock coat and top hat. And he was kind enough to give a shy young girl like me quite an education.

  Tony Blair : I can imagine.

• Portrait Artist : You may not be allowed to vote, ma'am, but it is your government.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes. I suppose that is some consolation.

• HM The Queen Mother : You will have to talk to Lord Chamberlain about all this.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, I have. And to Robert Fellowes, and it seems they both agree with Mr. Blair.

  HM The Queen Mother : I see.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Something's happened. There's been a change, some shift in values. When you no longer understand your people, Mummy, maybe it is time to hand it over to the next generation.

  HM The Queen Mother : Don't be ridiculous. Remember the vow you took?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : I declare that my whole life, rather it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.

  HM The Queen Mother : Your whole life. That is a commitment to God, as well as your people.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : But what if my actions are damaging the crown?

  HM The Queen Mother : Damaging it? You're the greatest asset this institution has. One of the greatest it has ever had. The problem will come when you leave. But you mustn't think about that now, certainly not today.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, Mummy.

  HM The Queen Mother : You must show your strength, reassert your authority. You sit on the most powerful throne in Europe, head of an unbroken line that goes back more than a thousand years. Do you really think that any of your predecessors would've dropped everything and gone up to London because a bunch of hysterics carrying candles needed help with their grief? And as for that silly Mr. Blair, with his Cheshire Cat grin...

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, really? You don't think that what affection people once had for m... for this 'institution' has been diminished?

  Tony Blair : No, not at all. You are more respected now than ever.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : I gather some of your closest advisors were less fulsome in their support.

  Tony Blair : One or two... But as a leader, I could never have added my voice to that chorus.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Because you saw all those headlines and you thought: 'One day that might happen to me'...

  Tony Blair : Oh... er...

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : ...and it will, Mr. Blair. Quite suddenly and without warning... So, shall we get on with the business in hand?

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Prime Minister.

  Tony Blair : Good morning, Your Majesty. Sorry to disturb, but I was just wondering whether you'd seen any of today's papers?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : We've managed to look at one or two, yes.

  Tony Blair : In which case my... next question would be whether you felt some kind of response...

  [Queen Elizabeth puts Blair on speakerphone] 

  Tony Blair : ...might be necessary?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : No. I believe a few over-eager editors are doing their best to sell newspapers. It would be a mistake to dance to their tune.

  Tony Blair : Under normal circumstances I would agree. But... well, my advisors... have been taking the temperature among people on the streets... and, well, the information I'm getting is that the mood is quite delicate.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : So, what would you suggest, Prime Minister - some kind of a statement?

  Tony Blair : No, ma'am. I believe the moment for statements has passed. I would suggest flying the flag at half-mast above Buckingham Palace... and... coming down to London at the earliest opportunity. It would be a great comfort to your people... and would help them with their grief.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : [Picks up the receiver]  THEIR grief? If you imagine I'm going to drop everything and come down to London before I attend to my grandchildren who've just lost their mother... then you're mistaken. I doubt there is anyone who knows the British people more than I do, Mr. Blair, nor who has greater faith in their wisdom and judgement. And it is my belief that they will any moment reject this... this "mood", which is being stirred up by the press, in favor of a period of restrained grief, and sober, private mourning. That's the way we do things in this country, quietly, with dignity. That's what the rest of the world has always admired us for.

  Tony Blair : If that's your decision, ma'am, of course the government will support it. Let's keep in touch.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : [Curtly]  Yes. Let's.

  [the Queen slams down the phone] 

  Prince Philip : Bloody fool! And now your tea's gone cold.

• Prince Philip : Have you seen the latest funeral guest list?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : No.

  Prince Philip : I suggest you keep it that way. A chorus line of soap stars and homosexuals.

• [Cherie has just offered a shallow curtsy. The Queen looks at her and smiles] 

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Mrs. Blair, lovely to see you, and congratulations.

  [the Queen shakes Cherie's hand] 

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : You must be very proud, and exhausted, I imagine. Where will you be spending the summer?

  Cherie Blair : Erm, France.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, lovely.

  Tony Blair : You'll be in Balmoral?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, yes, I can't wait. It's such a wonderful place. My great-great-grandmother Victoria once said 'Balmoral always seems to breathe peace and make one forget the world and its sad turmoils'.

  Robin Janvrin : [comes into room]  Your Majesty?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, excuse me.

  [Robin whispers something inaudible into the Queen's ear] 

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : [to Tony and Cherie]  I'm so sorry, we're going to have to leave it there.

  [she shakes both their hands and they exit without showing their backs] 

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : [to Robin]  It wasn't too short was it? Fifteen minutes, one doesn't want to be rude.

  Robin Janvrin : No ma'am.

• Prince Charles : Why is it? Why do they hate us so?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Not *us,* dear.

  Prince Charles : What?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Hmm?

• Robin Janvrin : The Prime Minister is on his way, ma'am.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : To be, Robin, Prime Minister to be. I haven't asked him yet.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Do you think it wise for the boys to go stalking so soon?

  HM The Queen Mother : Anything that gets them into the fresh air is a good thing.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Well maybe they shouldn't take their guns, I mean if a photographer were to see them it might send out the wrong signal.

  HM The Queen Mother : If there is a photographer out there, he could be the first kill of the day.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh has anyone heard from Spencers' yet? Have they made up their minds when the funeral will be?

  HM The Queen Mother : Hmm? Well I don't know, nobody tells me anything.

• Prince Philip : It's not right, you know.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : No, but further discussion is no longer helpful, either.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : [Charles comes into the room during news report]  Charles, isn't this awful?

  [long pause] 

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : What are you going to do about the boys?

  Prince Charles : Let them sleep until we know more.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, that's sensible.

  Prince Charles : I should go to Paris, I told my people to start organizing a jet.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : What, a private one?

  Prince Charles : Yes.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Isn't that precisely the sort of extravagance they always attack us for?

  Prince Charles : How else am I supposed to get to Paris at this time? The airport at Aberdeen will be closed and...

  HM The Queen Mother : Charles, Charles dear, use the Royal Flight; they keep one plane on permanent standby, in case I should kick the bucket.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : No, Mummy, that's out of the question; this isn't a matter of State.

  Prince Charles : What are you talking about?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Diana's no longer a member of the Royal Family, she's not an HRH, this is a private matter!

  Prince Charles : She's mother to your grandchildren!

  HM The Queen Mother : What's happening now?

  Prince Philip : I don't know; I can't hear, everyone's shouting!

• Prince Philip : Your sister called, from Tuscany.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : I hope you told her to come back, cut her holiday short.

  Prince Philip : I did.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : I'd imagine she was pleased.

  Prince Philip : That's putting it milder.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : What did she say?

  Prince Philip : Something about Diana managing to be even more annoying dead than alive.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Just make sure you never let the boys hear you talk like that!

• [last lines] 

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : So tell me, Mr. Blair, what might we expect from your first parliament?

  Tony Blair : Well, ma'am, top of the list is education reform. We want to radically reduce classroom sizes.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, yes. Yes, we must.

  Tony Blair : Create a much lower teacher-pupil ratio.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, it will be difficult to achieve...

  [trailing off, inaudible] 

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Nowadays people want glamor and tears, the grand performance. I've never been good at that.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Have you voted yet, Mr. Crawford?

  Portrait Artist : Yes, ma'am. I was there when they opened. First in line. Seven o'clock. I don't mind telling you, it wasn't for Mr. Blair.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : You're not a modernizer then.

  Portrait Artist : Certainly not. We're in danger of losing too much that is good about this country as it is.

• Robin Janvrin : The atmosphere at Downing Street is expected to *very* informal. Everyone on first name terms - at the Prime Minister's insistence.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : What, as in call me Tony?

  Robin Janvrin : Yes, Ma'am.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, I don't like that. Could we send him a protocol sheet?

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : That's how I think best: on my feet. I've never been one for sitting around endlessly. A good walk and fresh air sorts everything out.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : [Getting her car stuck in a ford]  Oh, bugger it.

• Robin Janvrin : His manifesto promises the most radical modernization and shake up of the constitution in 300 years.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, you mean he's going to try and modernise us?

  Robin Janvrin : I wouldn't let it past him. He's married to a woman with known anti-monarchist sympathies. You may remember her curtsy, the first time you met. It could best be described as: shallow.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : I don't measure the depth of a curtsy, Robin. I leave that to my sister.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Nowadays people want glamour, and tears, the grand performance. I'm not very good at that. I never have been. I prefer to keep my feelings to myself. And foolishly, I believed that was what people wanted from their Queen, not to make a fuss, nor wear one's heart on one's sleeve. Duty first, self second. That's how I was brought up. That's all I've ever known.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Why do they do that? Why do they bury their bodies so soon after the death?

  HM The Queen Mother : Islamic tradition. Something to do with the heat. It stops the body decomposing.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : I can see that the world has changed and one must - modernize.

  Tony Blair : Well, perhaps that's where I can help.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, don't get ahead of yourself, Prime Minister, and remember, I am the one supposed to be advising you.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : This is a family funeral, Mr. Blair, not a fairground attraction.

• Prince Philip : [referring to the Royal Standard]  It hasn't been lowered for anyone.

  HM The Queen Mother : [to Charles]  Your grandfather didn't get the flag at half mast, when he died.

  [whispers] 

  HM The Queen Mother : If you're mother died tomorrow, she wouldn't either.

  Prince Charles : Yes, granny. But sometimes, you know, in a situation like this, one has to be flexible. It is just a flag.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : What about the Union Jack? Was Mr. Blair's next suggestion.

  HM The Queen Mother : For heavens sake?

  Prince Philip : The next thing he'll be suggesting you change your name to Hilda and mine to Hector! Who does he think he's talking to? You're the Sovereign, the Head of State. You don't get dictated to.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, look. I do love this time of day. Shall we walk, while there is still light? You know the clocks go back next week, it will be dark before five. I do hope you're a walker?

  Tony Blair : I am.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Good. I always think these meetings have a far greater chance of success if the Prime Minister is a walker.

• Tony Blair : You obviously know my job better than I do.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Well, you are my tenth prime minister, Mr. Blair. My first, of course, was Winston Churchill. He sat in your chair, in a frock coat and top hat. He was kind enough to give a shy young girl like me quite an education.

  Tony Blair : I can imagine.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : With time, one has hopefully added experience to that education, and a little wisdom, better enabling us to execute our constitutional responsibility, to advise, guide, and warn the government of the day.

  Tony Blair : Advice which I look forward to receiving.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, we'll save that for our weekly meetings. If there's nothing else, I believe we have some business to attend to.

  Tony Blair : Of course. Your majesty, my party has won the election, so now I come to you to ask your permission to form a government.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : No, Mr. Blair. Mr. Blair, I ask the question. The duty falls upon me, as your sovereign, to invite you to become prime minister, and to form a government in my name. And if you agree, the custom is to say yes.

  Tony Blair : Yes.

• HM Queen Elizabeth II : The chaplain called. He wanted to know, whether we should make any changes in the service - any special mention of Diana.

  Prince Philip : What did you say?

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : Well, I told him not to change a thing.

  HM The Queen Mother : Quite right.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : I think the less attention one draws to it, the better.

• Prince Philip : On our walk today one of the ghillies said he'd seen a large stag up Craggie Head. He reckoned, 14 pointer.

  HM The Queen Mother : We haven't had one as big as that on the estate, for years.

  Prince Philip : No, quite. Anyway, I thought it might be a good distraction - for the boys.

  HM Queen Elizabeth II : What? Stalking?