Speaker of the House, and took his place at the dispatch box.
“Further to my press announcement at Downing Street last evening, Mr. Speaker,” he said, “it is my regretful duty to inform this House of the death of our monarch, His Royal Highness Edward the Ninth, King of England, at his winter residence. He was pronounced dead on arrival by the medical staff at the Hospital of the Holy Ascension in Funchal, Madeira, approximately fifteen minutes past eight o’clock local time last night. Preliminary investigations conducted by the police, with full knowledge of and cooperation with our own consular authorities, indicate that the King was found at his home by his personal valet, who, having been alerted by the sound of an explosion, discovered the King suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head.
“It is not known at this time whether the fatal wound was accidental, the result of an action by the King himself, or the tragic outcome of an attack by a person or persons unknown. A ruling on this question has been requested by this government as a matter of utmost priority. We are assured that the relevant authorities are in full sympathy with our concerns.”
He paused to take a drink from the glass of water beside the dispatch box, thereby giving members a chance to interrupt with questions. “Mr. Speaker!” they shouted, waving their order papers to be recognized. “Mr. Speaker!”
“Order!” cried Olmstead Carpenter, Speaker of the House, from his elevated chair. “Order, ladies and gentlemen, please! The Prime Minister will continue with his statement.” Carpenter glared at the assembled MPs, as if daring them to make another outburst.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” continued the Prime Minister when the shouting had abated. “I would merely add that arrangements are being made by this government for the remains of the King to be flown back to London for burial. We have obtained assurances from the Portuguese authorities that the body will be released at the earliest possible moment following the conclusion of their investigations. I hasten to assure the House that even now we are working closely with our foreign colleagues to bring about a swift and satisfactory resolution to what is for all concerned an extremely lamentable and sorrowful affair.”
The Prime Minister sat down abruptly, which was the signal for the Opposition benches to have at it. First on his feet and first to be recognized was Huw Griffith, the feisty, wirehaired leader of the Unified Alliance Party, the Government’s erstwhile opposition. The UAP was a coalition of five smaller parties which struggled year after year to mount a meaningful, coherent opposition to Waring’s British Republic Party juggernaut.
“Are we to understand, Mr. Speaker,” roared the amply padded MP, “that the death of our monarch is the subject of a continuing police investigation? Does this indicate foul play? If so, what are the circumstances? If not, what, in heaven’s name, does the Prime Minister mean? I would ask the Right Honorable Member for additional clarification, if it is not too much trouble.”
Griffith sat down, glaring across the table at his rival. Amid the shouts of friend and foe alike, the PM rose to his feet. “I would most happily provide clarification for the Honorable Gentleman, Mr. Speaker, if that were possible. Unfortunately, I can only say that inasmuch as King Edward was apparently alone in his residence, further details of the tragic event must await the results of the official investigation.”
The PM sat down, and the clamor resumed. “Mr. Speaker!” shouted Charles Graham, shadow home secretary, and leader of the New Conservatives, one of the coalition Opposition parties. “I am appalled, Mr. Speaker, that the death of our nation’s monarch should be treated in this callous and irreverent manner. Will the Government mount a full and thorough inquiry into this tragic affair immediately?”
The Prime Minister
“Further to my press announcement at Downing Street last evening, Mr. Speaker,” he said, “it is my regretful duty to inform this House of the death of our monarch, His Royal Highness Edward the Ninth, King of England, at his winter residence. He was pronounced dead on arrival by the medical staff at the Hospital of the Holy Ascension in Funchal, Madeira, approximately fifteen minutes past eight o’clock local time last night. Preliminary investigations conducted by the police, with full knowledge of and cooperation with our own consular authorities, indicate that the King was found at his home by his personal valet, who, having been alerted by the sound of an explosion, discovered the King suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head.
“It is not known at this time whether the fatal wound was accidental, the result of an action by the King himself, or the tragic outcome of an attack by a person or persons unknown. A ruling on this question has been requested by this government as a matter of utmost priority. We are assured that the relevant authorities are in full sympathy with our concerns.”
He paused to take a drink from the glass of water beside the dispatch box, thereby giving members a chance to interrupt with questions. “Mr. Speaker!” they shouted, waving their order papers to be recognized. “Mr. Speaker!”
“Order!” cried Olmstead Carpenter, Speaker of the House, from his elevated chair. “Order, ladies and gentlemen, please! The Prime Minister will continue with his statement.” Carpenter glared at the assembled MPs, as if daring them to make another outburst.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” continued the Prime Minister when the shouting had abated. “I would merely add that arrangements are being made by this government for the remains of the King to be flown back to London for burial. We have obtained assurances from the Portuguese authorities that the body will be released at the earliest possible moment following the conclusion of their investigations. I hasten to assure the House that even now we are working closely with our foreign colleagues to bring about a swift and satisfactory resolution to what is for all concerned an extremely lamentable and sorrowful affair.”
The Prime Minister sat down abruptly, which was the signal for the Opposition benches to have at it. First on his feet and first to be recognized was Huw Griffith, the feisty, wirehaired leader of the Unified Alliance Party, the Government’s erstwhile opposition. The UAP was a coalition of five smaller parties which struggled year after year to mount a meaningful, coherent opposition to Waring’s British Republic Party juggernaut.
“Are we to understand, Mr. Speaker,” roared the amply padded MP, “that the death of our monarch is the subject of a continuing police investigation? Does this indicate foul play? If so, what are the circumstances? If not, what, in heaven’s name, does the Prime Minister mean? I would ask the Right Honorable Member for additional clarification, if it is not too much trouble.”
Griffith sat down, glaring across the table at his rival. Amid the shouts of friend and foe alike, the PM rose to his feet. “I would most happily provide clarification for the Honorable Gentleman, Mr. Speaker, if that were possible. Unfortunately, I can only say that inasmuch as King Edward was apparently alone in his residence, further details of the tragic event must await the results of the official investigation.”
The PM sat down, and the clamor resumed. “Mr. Speaker!” shouted Charles Graham, shadow home secretary, and leader of the New Conservatives, one of the coalition Opposition parties. “I am appalled, Mr. Speaker, that the death of our nation’s monarch should be treated in this callous and irreverent manner. Will the Government mount a full and thorough inquiry into this tragic affair immediately?”
The Prime Minister
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