The interior of the House of Commons. The words 'DECEMBER 17, 1788' appear. In the house, everyone is excited and anxious for the big debate that is to come that day. The PRINCE OF WALES arrives on the second story of the House in a state of trepidation, and takes a quick swig of his canteen to ease his nerves.
SPEAKER: Mr. Pitt, Prime Minister of Great Britain, you may rise to deliver your sentiments on your proposed Regency Bill that would restrict the powers of the forthcoming regency.
PITT: [Stands] The belief that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, as His Majesty King George III's heir to the throne, possesses the right to inherit the title of Prince Regent is completely unjustifiable. While he has a claim to the regency, he does not have an inherent right to it. Therefore, if he is to be Prince Regent, he must not be granted the full power of the monarch.
SPEAKER: Mr. Fox, Whig Member for Westminster and Leader of the Opposition, you may rise to deliver your rebuttal.
FOX: [Stands] Mr. Pitt, if the Prince of Wales has the inheritable right to the throne, as you say, why should he not have the inheritable right to the regency? Not only is His Royal Highness of full age and capacity to rule, but I am confident that he shall do so solely for the good of this great country.
PITT: The Prince of Wales may have a claim to the Regency, Mr. Fox, but by no means an inherent right. This, along with the issue of his age-
FOX: What is the issue, Mr. Pitt? The Prince is presently six-and-twenty years old, eight years above the minimum age required to rule. You yourself, as you can recall, were but twenty-four years of age when you took up your post of Prime Minister in 1783.
PITT: That fact is irrelevant, though it is sound.
FOX: If it is so irrelevant, sir, then surely you will answer me this: why was it acceptable for you to be Prime Minister at twenty-four, but not for the Prince of Wales to be Prince Regent at twenty-six?
PITT: Mr. Fox, I never argued that the Prince of Wales should be forbidden from the Regency entirely; I only believe that he should not automatically inherit it. But if His Royal Highness is to be Prince Regent, his powers must be restricted.
BURKE: [Stands] [Vehemently] Your malicious Regency Bill has made it apparent that you have no other endeavor than to usurp the throne from the Prince of Wales!
SPEAKER: Order, Mr. Burke-
BURKE: His Royal Highness has the legitimate right to claim the regency, now that the King is incapacitated-
SPEAKER: Mr. Burke-
BURKE: You, sir, are now his greatest competitor!
SPEAKER: Mr. Burke, I-
BURKE: [Passionately] You have made so bold as to question the Prince's right to rule, which is nothing less than treason!
SPEAKER: [Loudly] I will have order, Mr. Burke! Sit down at once before you are shown out!
BURKE glares at PITT and sits. PITT and FOX also sit. Everyone begins muttering to one another.
LORD CHATHAM: [To PITT] What a shame it is that while the King is kept away at Kew, Mr. Burke is walking the streets a free man!
PITT smiles mildly upon hearing this remark. Cut to ACT II, SCENE XXXXIII.
YOU ARE READING
The Drunken Feathers
Historical FictionIn this biographical series that begins in 1784, twenty-one-year-old George, Prince of Wales-- the eldest son of King George III and heir to the British throne-- spends his youth idly by keeping countless mistresses, drinking profusely, and making f...
