This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

Part of UK in Romania

10th February 2011

The King’s Speech

The King’s Speech is the film of the year, with 12 nominations for the Oscars and it goes on general release in Romania on Friday 11 February. I had a privileged pre-viewing at the Movieplex Cinema on Monday evening.

I loved this film! It is a very moving story of a figure in British history who deserves to be better known – George VI, father of our present Queen and leader of our country in the dark days of World War Two. The film tells the story of how he stepped up to the challenge of kingship following his brother’s abdication and conquered his personal fears about speaking in public and broadcasting on the radio.

Romania too had a monarch in the Second World War who also stepped up to the challenge after the abdication of his predecessor and, like George VI, led his country through this most difficult period with wisdom and courage. But there are parallels too for all of us. The film is about how we all as individuals can meet the challenges life presents us, with determination and with the help of our families and those closest to us. Or as Lennon and McCartney put it, “We’ll get by with a little help from our friends”.

Image from the movie "The King's speech"

About Martin Harris

I took up my role as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine in September 2023. Previously, I was Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Moscow, Ambassador…

I took up my role as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine in September 2023. Previously, I was Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Moscow, Ambassador at the British Embassy in Bucharest and served at the UK Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna.