XN000022-1972-06-05 — Page 15

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Monday, June 5, 1972

have also to confront and solve great social and economic needs, without

precedents and with only humanity and our determination to guide us.

"But he was Prince of Wales and King in a disjointed age,

an age of confusion, and he was a product of it, and we know the

dramatic and agonising sequel. Now that the drama and the anguish of his

abdication have passed into history we can see that his decision was

clear-cut, taken in the way he believed the needs of the country required,

and taken and lived-out with dignity.

"We know that the Monarchy was unimpaired; we know that it

has steadily gained in strength and in the affections and respect of

the British peoples; we know that the social and economic attitudes

towards which he reached have long been accepted.

11 He knew these things too. This knowledge, his domestic happiness

and the affection of the British people he had with him in the long

years of retirement that followed. The consolation of these things

he had with him when he died.'

11

Release time: 6.30 p.m.

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