The Drunken Feathers

Scene X

(Windsor Castle, later that week. The ROYAL FAMILY stands in a hallway outside the throne room and prepares for Court. KING GEORGE III entertains PRINCESS MARY and PRINCESS SOPHIA.)

PRINCESS MARY

Lift me, Papa!

PRINCESS SOPHIA

No, lift me!

KING GEORGE III

How about both of you at once?

(KING GEORGE III lifts his daughters in his arms and laughs with them. As he turns around with them, however, he frowns. The PRINCE OF WALES is shown standing across from him. He bows to KING GEORGE III, who was not expecting to see his eldest son.)

PRINCE OF WALES

Good morning, Your Majesty.

KING GEORGE III

(To PRINCESS MARY and PRINCESS SOPHIA)

Go to your sisters.

(PRINCESS MARY and PRINCESS SOPHIA skip off to find their other sisters. KING GEORGE III turns his back toward the PRINCE OF WALES and adjusts his crown and robe, trying to ignore his son.)

KING GEORGE III

I had it from Lord Southampton that the Prince of Wales was ill and could not attend Court today.

PRINCE OF WALES

I was, sir; perhaps I still am, but I was eager to see Your Majesty today. Several weeks have passed since...

KING GEORGE III

We are about to enter Court, sir; now is not the time to make a request.

PRINCE OF WALES

I only wish to discuss...

KING GEORGE III

If the Prince of Wales wishes to discuss a matter with me, he may write me when it is convenient for him, and I shall answer when it is convenient for me.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Nervously rubbing hands together)

I feel it my duty to inform Your Majesty of a resolution I have been induced to take from the peculiar and very embarrassed state of my affairs, arising from the necessary expenses I incurred during the course of the last year.

(He takes a shaky breath)

I mean putting in full practice a system of economy by immediately going abroad.

(KING GEORGE III, shocked, turns around to face the PRINCE OF WALES, now paying full attention.)

KING GEORGE III

The Prince of Wales, if not void of every degree of reflection and of those feelings which a good heart must experience, need not be told the unpleasant sensations this idea has occasioned, in addition to what I constantly suffer from his reprehensible conduct.

PRINCE OF WALES

I am more shocked than I can possibly express at Your Majesty's reaction, as I am fearful you have misunderstood my conduct and intentions. I find that by staying in England, the object of economy is so perfectly unattainable that nothing but my going abroad can possibly put me in the situation I should wish.

KING GEORGE III

Your Royal Highness' abrupt and offensive manner of announcing this purpose could not fail in the first instance of producing that effect.

PRINCE OF WALES

I feel I have taken every possible and respectful means of acquainting Your Majesty with my intention. Therefore, I have an idea of residing for some time in Brunswick, which I hope will meet with Your Majesty's approbation, as I see no fresh reason for altering my resolution of traveling.

KING GEORGE III

If your improper plan of going abroad was put into execution, your character would be forever blasted in this country, and also in all Europe. I therefore insist on your giving up a measure that would be a public breach with me.

(QUEEN CHARLOTTE notices the argument and approaches KING GEORGE III.)

PRINCE OF WALES

(Becoming emotional)

Your Majesty must easily conceive how truly hurt I would be at a public breach, but...

KING GEORGE III

An open breach with me is but one among the many still greater mischiefs which the step you seem misled enough to take probably leads to. To save you has been my only reason for putting up with many unpleasant things. But if you are resolute to ruin your character, at least I will not bear any part of the blame, and my people shall know that this shameful flight is in defiance of my express prohibition both as king and father.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE

We are due for Court, Your Majesty.

KING GEORGE III

Good.

(KING GEORGE III storms off toward the door, still in a bad mood. The PRINCE OF WALES is near tears now, overwhelmed by the conversation and still recovering from his suicide attempt the previous night. QUEEN CHARLOTTE notices how upset he is.)

QUEEN CHARLOTTE

You look unwell, sir. You ought not to have come.

PRINCE OF WALES

Why won't he allow me to go?

QUEEN CHARLOTTE

Your duty as the Prince of Wales is to remain in this kingdom. The King is right to forbid you from going abroad.

PRINCE OF WALES

If he could only know how much I suffer...

QUEEN CHARLOTTE

He does, mein liebling, and he suffers twice what you do. It is painful to watch your child choose extravagance and pleasure over righteousness.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Beat)

I am hot and tired. I must excuse myself from Court.

(She gently presses the back of her hand against his forehead and then his cheek.)

QUEEN CHARLOTTE

Yes, return to London and rest; you are growing feverish. I shall inform the King.

(The PRINCE OF WALES weakly nods, and he and QUEEN CHARLOTTE kiss each other on the cheek.)

QUEEN CHARLOTTE (cont.)

Auf weidersehen, mein Lieber sohn.

PRINCE OF WALES

Leb wohl, Mamma.

(QUEEN CHARLOTTE returns to KING GEORGE III and whispers in his ear. KING GEORGE III turns around to see the PRINCE OF WALES, who curtly bows and walks away. KING GEORGE III seems to feel guilty for a moment. Cut to SCENE XI.)