The REAL therapist who fixed the King's Speech: How long-forgotten papers told touching story of George VI's battle to cure his stammer
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The REAL therapist who fixed the King's Speech: How long-forgotten papers told touching story of George VI's battle to cure his stammer
These long-forgotten papers chronicle how the Duke of York turned to a failed Australian actor in 1926 to cure his speech impediment.
The man who became King George VI decided to turn to therapist Lionel Logue - who was regarded as a ‘quack’ because of his lack of medical training.
Long-forgotten: An appointment card showing King George VI's visit to Lionel Logue's Harley street clinic. The long-forgotten documents were not found until last year
It wasn’t until a year ago that Mark Logue, the grandson of the self-taught therapist, discovered the Duke of York’s appointment papers in a pile of old documents left to him by his father.
Mark Logue knew little about his grandfather’s significance in British history until he discovered the documents when leafing through them one afternoon in his North London home.
Now he has written a book with Peter Conradi about Lionel Logue, who had only arrived in the UK two years before the King turned up at his Harley Street clinic on October 19, 1926.
Unlikely story: Lionel Logue, pictured here with his fiance Myrtle in 1907, arrived in the UK as a failed actor without medical training. He was regarded as a 'quack' for his speech therapy techniques
Unexpected find: Lionel Logue's grandson Mark (left) discovered the files in a pile of old papers. In the film his grandfather is played by Geoffrey Rush (right)
When the King George VI died in 1952 the Queen Mother wrote the therapist a handwritten note of thanks for all he had done with the King.
The letter from Buckingham Palace, embossed with a Royal logo, is written in neat handwriting and signed ‘I am, yours very sincerely, Elizabeth’.
The critically-acclaimed new film, which is tipped to sweep the board at this year’s Oscars, stars Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue.
On his first patient card Lionel
Logue had neatly written in the top corner that his latest visitor was
‘His Highness The Duke of York’.
He wrote in his notes: ‘Has an acute nervous tension which has been brought on by the defect... is of a nervous disposition.’
And the therapist remarked the King is: ‘Well built, with good shoulders, but waist line very flabby’.
It
was only as the film was being put together by director David Seidler
that it emerged the papers and diaries had been found and could be
consulted.
The movie begins with the Duke of York – Colin Firth – failing to deliver a speech to the crowd at the Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium in 1925.
Hit film: Colin Firth plays George VI and Helena Bonham Carter plays his forceful wife Elizabeth
Royal mail: A letter from the Queen Mother sent after the death of George VI in February 1952. The text is recreated in full below
There are long sections of Mr Logue, who had no formal medical qualifications, with the King in his consultation room.
The notes kept by Lionel about his Royal patient are detailed and give a remarkable insight into the personality and public speaking insecurities of the King.
April 19, 1937
Went to Windsor.
King. When I told him he took two reputations into the box with him, he
said he knew he did, that’s why he was laughing. He is a good fellow and
only wants careful handling.
A car took me to the Palace at 7
o’clock. Went upstairs and found His Majesty, looking very fit after his
very emotional day. We went through the speech once, at the mike, and
then back to his room, where the Queen joined us, looking tired but very
happy. We discussed the Coronation, particularly the solidness of the
Archbishop and I told the King how we all noticed he took over the doing
up of his belt. He told me that in some Coronations, the King was naked
to the waist.
Kept him talking right up to the loud
speakers playing the National Anthem. The Queen said 'Good Luck Bertie'
and he walked right up to the mike and began (the perspiration was
running down my back). He went on beautifully, a splendid voice,
flexible, slight trouble with one word… he had me so worked up, that I
could not talk at the end.
In a few seconds, he walked out into his
passage and gave me a warm pressure of the hand as he said 'Good night
Logue, I thank you very much' and the Queen did the same, her beautiful,
indescribably blue eyes shining.
I said 'The greatest thing in my life
your Majesty is being able to serve you'. She said 'Good Night. Thank
you' and, softly, 'God Bless You'. This bought the tears to my eyes and
sent me feeling like a fool. I had a whisky and soda, a silly
thing to do on an empty stomach, and the whole world began to go
around.
There
arrives a most wonderful letter from His Majesty on December 16th
telling me all about his health and what he had gone through -
unfortunately I had to go into hospital before I could reply.
The King’s letter is in front of me as I write, and I cannot realise that it is the last one I shall ever receive.
Since
1926 he honoured me, by allowing me to help him with his speech, and no
man ever worked as hard as he did and achieved such a grand result.
During all those years you were a tower of strength to him, and he has often told me how much he owes to you.
Lionel Logue
Feb 28 1952
Buckingham Palace
Dear Mr Logue
I
am so grateful for your kind letter, and very much touched by what you
write - I am indeed sorry to hear that you have been so ill, so it was
most kind of you to make the effort to write to me.
outlook on life. I shall always be deeply grateful to you for all you
did for him.
I
think that I know perhaps better than anyone just how much you helped
the King, not only with his speech, but through that his whole life, and
outlook on life. I shall always be deeply grateful to you for all you
did for him. He was such a splendid person, and I don’t believe that he
even thought of himself at all - I did so hope that he might have been
allowed a few years of comparative peace after the many anguished years
he has had to battle through so bravely. But it was not to be.
I do hope that you will soon be better, and with again my heartfelt thanks, I am, yours very sincerely.
Elizabeth R
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