THE KING’S 560 SPEECHES

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 11

THE KING’S 560 SPEECHES

HOW HE PREPARES ROTES The method followed by the King in preparing his speeches is described in a book. ‘ In the Words of the King,’ by Taylor Darbyshire, published recently» The work is a selection of His Majesty’s speeches and messages, from, his first public utterance on March 17, 1916, when he was a naval officer still on the active list, up to his broadcast to the Empire last Christmas. In this 21 years the King made more than 560 speeches, 547 of which preceded his accession to the Throne. His first speech was at the opening of a rifle range at the House of Parliament.

Mr Darbyshire thus describes Hia Majesty’s methods of preparation. “ First, there Was his rough draft of what ho wanted to say, with the facts and figures that might be necessary for the subject. These latter were apparently licked into shape by his staff, and then the result was revised and in some cases re-revised by the King himself, who, indeed, continued the task of revision at the table or on the pintform until almost the moment of delivery of the speech. “ This is especially observable in the earlier speeches of his career, when, with no staff of his own and living in Buckingham Palace with King George V. and Queen Mary, he had on occasion to feud for himself in matters of clerical need. More than one speech among those I have handled was written from first to last in hia own handwriting.” Mr Darbyshire has had access to original records of the speeches preserved- in Buckingham Palace, and also to the King’s own records. On many of the latter are notes and asides, emendations and alterations. “ For example, at one meeting ho noted on the side of his manuscript the very human comment: 1 Room hot, audience difficult,’ and ‘ Very contro. versial subject, some speakers think there ought to be a cut at headquarters.’ ”