Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

HC S: [Address on marriage of Prince of Wales]

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: House of Commons
Source: Hansard HC [8/990-91]
Editorial comments:
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 639
[column 990]

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Lady Diana Spencer

The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)

rose——

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would you consider accepting a manuscript amendment to the motion that the Prime Minister is about to move, along the lines that we call upon the Government to change their economic policies in order to fulfil the future happiness of approximately 1 million young people under the age of 25 who have been unable to find a job as a result of those policies? The Government should provide full and useful employment for all. Will you accept that as an amendment to the motion?

Mr. Speaker

No, I will not accept that manuscript amendment.

The Prime Minister

I beg to move,

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty congratulating her Majesty and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on the approaching Marriage of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to the Lady Diana Spencer; expressing to Her Majesty the great pleasure felt by this House and the Nation at this joyful event; and praying that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the Lady Diana Spencer will be blessed with every happiness in their married life.

It is 118 years since we celebrated the marriage of a Prince of Wales as heir to the throne. Some 34 years ago you, Mr. Speaker, were present in this Chamber when the then Prime Minister moved an humble address to their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of the marriage of their daughter, the heir to the throne, then Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth, to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.

On that occasion Mr. Attlee spoke of the promise which the people had watched unfolding through Her Majesty's childhood, and his confidence that the high regard and popularity which the Royal Family had so justly earned would be fully maintained.

Today we can reflect how well his confidence was justified. The nation's admiration and affection for the Royal Family has been demonstrated in the celebrations of both the Silver Jubilee and the 80th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. I stress “admiration” and “affection” —both were to be seen not only in the formal celebrations but in the spontaneous outpourings of public acclaim and happiness throughout the country and the Commonwealth during those celebrations.

Now we approach another great occasion which has, once again, captured the imagination of Her Majesty's people. Over the last 30 years, the country, the Commonwealth and the world have watched with continuing interest and with ever-increasing enthusiasm and respect as His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has taken on the responsibilities of his important role. We have admired his dedication to his duties as much as his affinity with the people. Mr. Attlee's sentiments of 34 years ago about Princess Elizabeth, His Royal Highness's mother, have been shared by the nation about her son. Now His Royal Highness has chosen a bride whose beauty, spontaneity and dignity have already won the hearts of the British people. [column 991]

I am sure that the whole House shares the Prince of Wales's obvious happiness and joy in the bride that he has chosen. We look forward to a future in which they will play an increasingly prominent part in the life of our country. We are confident that they will inspire the same loyalty, respect and gratitude as Her Majesty and Prince Philip have won throughout her reign.

We offer The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh our sincere and heartfelt congratulations and wish the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana long life and every happiness.