Another anecdote connected to Queen Mary.

The original Bernard-Shaw play was famously made into a film by Pip Asquith, "Pygmalion". It has the distinction of being the first British film to utter a rude swear word, "bloody" (not terribly strong today, though I still wouldn't say it in front of my older relatives. It's like the m-word in Spain ). As you may know, both King George and Queen Mary were crazy about the cinema, and saw all the latest films; a custom she continued after his death.

Thus, when she was to be present at the premiere of Pygmalion, the officials were in a tizzy because no way was Wendy Hiller, playing Eliza, going to say that in front of Queen Mary! So they excised the word from the film, without her being any the wiser.

But like all royals, she got word of this censorship eventually, and must've been amused because not soon after, once the film had reached the London suburbs and beyond, she went to watch it again, when staying at Luton Hoo -- with "bloody" in all its glory.

As the wife of a sailor, I'm sure she was used to hearing worse.



Well, I don't know how fascinating accents are for anyone else. I suspect it's only me.

Frankly, I'm continuing the topic not just because I love Queen Mary, but also to draw in more English-speakers into this part of the forum. It's more jolly when we can contribute.

Right. But it's still a young board.
Give it time.

I think as well as you that the accent issue is very fascinating, but I can't contribute on that matter

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This is OT, but what did you think of Queen Ena's accent speaking in French in that documentary posted on Youtube?

I should post this question in the "Reina inglesa" thread perhaps -- and also ask if there are any Spanish-language recordings/video of her speaking the language. Her French was heavily "British", albeit very fluent, especially when she started off by answering the question if she thought Alfonso XIII had been a handsome man.

"Pas exactement".

Well, I think her accent is impec.
Probably not as a french-born but very cultivate indeed. I think she could have had a french institutrice when she was a little girl. Unfortunately, in that video, she says one or two spanish words and that's all, but very difficult words as far as I remember, which she does extremely good.

I apologize for my english, it's very late here

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Well, I for one find the topic of accents fascinating. Both Spanish and English are spoken in many different parts of the world and to listen to their variety of accents, inflections and choice of vocabulary is and endless source of joy for me.

I have listened to Queen Mary's voice and I too detect the faintest German tones. However, both King and Queen record their voices in an artificial "speech" style -standard for public addresses at the time- which may hide some aspects of her true accent or highlight others.

Queen Ena in that documentary speaks perfect French as Sabba says, with that touch of English accent that makes it all the more chic. And she does utter a couple of Spanish surnames, full of rolling "Rs" with a suprisingly perfect Spanish accent. I would love to hear a recording of Queen Victoria Eugenia speaking in Spanish as I have the feeling she would not sound foreign at all.

What do you think of Prince William and Prince Harry's accents? The so-called Estuary English. I read that when they appeared on TV in the US they had to be subtitled!

Finally, to bring it back to royalty a little, a picture of the first cinematic Eliza Doolittle, Wendy Hiller, playing Princess Dragomiroff in the 1974 film "Murder on the Orient Express".

Which is really Octavius' über-diplomatic way of saying, "I don't really hear said tones, but let me humour her ideas".



That's actually a very salient point, Octavius. You can tell the Queen, especially, is not used to speaking into a mic. She's forcing herself to sound proper, strangely enough. By that time, the King had recorded various broadcasts for the BBC, since the early 20s. His voice, in fact, was found to be perfect for the young medium of radio. The tone is honeyed without being saccharine.

(I've listened to almost all the extanct recordings of his broadcasts. One day I'll tell you how I practically locked myself up in the Beeb's archives for three days)



I trust your instincts, of course, but I would find it odd that she hadn't had a heavy "British" accent when speaking a language which took her (I read) over four years to actually speak. Apparently, Queen Ena understood Spanish around her, from servants and courtiers, almost immediately though.



Nah, that's has got to be an urban legend. The only time I remember them being interviewed ensemble, which made it to US news airwaves, was during the lead-up to their late mother's 10th anniversary memorial. They seemed very loose and fresh, as ever.

As for the dreaded EE and the princes, I also think not. They speak the modern-version of the public schoolboy accent. It is not as refined as their grandfather's version, but it is still discernibly upper-class.

When I think of Estuary English, which has almost done away with regional accents in the younger generation (in the south), I think of John Major............



Oh my God, Octavius. You have impeccable taste! I adore Wendy Hiller in Orient Express. I remember telling my grandmother when I was a kid (in the 80s), that Wendy Hiller's performance would be a pitch-perfect Queen Mary, Mary Stuart widow's peak and all, when she startled me by saying that Dame Wendy had INDEED already acted the role of the Queen.

It was a play called Crown Matrimonial by Royce Ryton, which was a West End smash hit in the 70s! You probably already knew that, though.

Here she is, in all her glory as Queen Mary. I want a Time Machine!

For the princes, it is also not the "Sloane Ranger" accent of her mother.
This story about Dame Wendy is excellent...! Thanks Maravilha.

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I've always pictured Queen Mary in more of the Lady Bracknell mode from The Importance of Being Earnest:
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I must confess that is how I pictured her myself: rather on the formidable side!

You know you are formidable when other formidable women are scared of you.

Case in point: Lady Nancy Astor told her son that the only woman in her whole life she was ever daunted by, was Queen Mary.

I'm applying the paddles of life to this old thread of Nellie's.

Here is a great shot I found of Queen Mary's bust (err...you know what I mean ). It holds pride of place in the ballroom of the new luxury liner, and her namesake, the Queen Mary II.



Great likeness, don't you think?

...similarly, I had also found this rare shot of the old Queen Mary liner's romper room (children's playroom). Rather ironic, considering she was a fairly unmaternal lady.

That is unfair on the lady I'm sure.