A United Kingdom Page #4

to interfere with my wish to marry?

I will tell you... exactly.

I received advice

from the Archbishop of Canterbury,

who was instructed by the Secretary

of State for Commonwealth Affairs,

who was himself instructed

by the solicitor, Douglas Buchanan,

who was, in turn,

instructed by his client,

your uncle, Tshekedi Khama.

So, you see...

...everyone here, and in southern Africa,

is acting entirely according

to the wishes... of your uncle.

I knew he wouldn't take it well,

that he'd be angry with me,

but why is he allowing himself

to be used by them?

It's only you and I

who want us to be together.

No one else.

You are the only one

I want to spend my life with.

There's nothing in law

that says we cannot marry.

SERETSE :
Have you got the rings?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

REGISTRAR :
It is with pleasure

I pronounce you man and wife.

May I offer you my congratulations?

(CHEERING AND LAUGHTER)

RUTH :
Thank you so much.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Mrs Khama...

(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)

Mrs Khama, do you intend

to learn the native language?

- I will try, yes.

- And I will give her plenty of help.

Mr Khama, I hear your tribe are rebelling

against you bringing a white queen home,

according to South Africa this morning.

South Africa has her own agenda.

Perhaps you should report on that.

Thank you. That'll be all.

(CLAMOURING)

Rebelling?

It's exaggeration. It has to be.

REPORTER :
'Bechuanaland chief from the

southern African British protectorate...'

REPORTER 2 :
'Office girl, Ruth Khama,

will travel to Africa...'

REPORTER 3 :
'Bechuanaland

will meet their new queen...'

(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)

Mrs Khama... welcome.

(CLAMOURING)

Will your family be coming to visit?

- (SPEAKS SETSWANA)

- Sir.

(SIGHS) Sir Alistair Canning

wants to meet before I see my uncle.

PORTER :
Good afternoon, sir.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

I have special dispensation as the king.

But we use a different entrance.

CANNING :
Mr and Mrs Khama.

Welcome, Mrs Khama.

Thank you.

We didn't want to leave it too long

before Ruth could see her new home.

What would you like to drink, Mrs Khama?

Gin and lime would be lovely.

CANNING :

We have lemonade for you, Mr Khama.

You are aware of the prohibition

of alcohol for blacks in Bechuanaland?

Well, if my husband is having lemonade,

then I will have lemonade.

Ah, here he is! It's our new district

commissioner, Mr Rufus Lancaster.

How do you do, Mr Khama?

A pleasure.

- Mrs Khama.

- How do you do?

Let me pour you that lemonade.

CANNING :
I've asked Mr Lancaster along

to give you an assessment of affairs

in Serowe,

in light of your meeting at the kgotla,

Mr Khama.

You would like to tell me

how my people are feeling?

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