UNTITLED

Written by

Nancy Meyers

Matt Tolmach Productions March 13, 2013 FADE IN:

NEWS FOOTAGE - LIVE - CREDITS BEGIN Hundreds of well-wishers have gathered behind barricades outside of HOLYROOD PALACE in EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, waving British and Scottish flags. News Vans and Reporters jam the curb. FEMALE BRITISH REPORTER (to CAMERA) I’m here just outside the gates of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace where an excited crowd has been waiting since early morning for a glimpse of the Royal Family after yesterday’s wedding of the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, Alice Stewart, 14th in line for the throne. FOOTAGE of YESTERDAY’S WEDDING of PRINCESS ALICE appears on SCREEN followed by FOOTAGE OF 82 YEAR OLD QUEEN ANNE accompanied by her SON, 60 YEAR OLD, PRINCE GEORGE, as they EXIT A CHURCH, waving to a crowd before disappearing into a waiting Rolls Royce. REPORTER (LIVE) The Queen, accompanied by her son, Prince George, returned to London last night but The Queen’s grandsons James and Alfie - who have often been dubbed the “rock stars” of the Royal Family - have spent the night here in Her Majesty’s official residence in Scotland and from what I can gather it was a night to remember. Just then, the Bride, ALICE, athletic, blonde, late 30’s, EXITS the Palace, holding hands with her new Husband. The Newlyweds wave to the cheering crowd. FEMALE REPORTER And there she is -- that’s Princess Alice and her new husband, rugby player, Ted Saunders. She looks lovely in blue. (Crowd now SCREAMS WITH EXCITEMENT) And right behind the Newlyweds are her cousins -- the two most eligible bachelors in the world. Listen to that crowd! Prince James, the heir to the heir is of course known to all as the Gentleman Prince whilst his younger brother, (MORE) 2. FEMALE REPORTER (CONT'D) Prince Alfie - whose escapades have been widely reported, is often referred to as the Rebel Prince. The Crowd goes berserk and the paparazzi jostle into position as the Princes wave, crossing through the motor court. A line of Range Rovers wait for the Princes, but the Boys walk right past the cars and approach the crowd. JAMES, the eldest, late-twenties -- the responsible big brother is a young man who understands his destiny. He’s thoughtful, caring and also a two-time champ on People’s Sexiest Man Alive cover. He wears jeans and a sweater. James is tall, handsome and regal. ALFIE (ALFRED), third in line to the throne (the Spare Heir) is the tousled, more carefree, more fun brother who, on this particular day, is extremely hung over. Alfie also lands on many a magazine cover - but most are tabloids and for behavior he too often has to apologize for. As the Boys reach the barricades, there’s an almost Beatles- like fervor among the Young Women. Warm hugs from James as Alfie grabs iPhones and snaps photos with the crowd. FEMALE REPORTER Well, I must say, this is quite a thrill for every young woman in this crowd, which I admit, includes me. And yes ladies, they’re just as handsome up close. (gushing) Very thrilling indeed. (refers to her notes) I am told the two Princes are returning to London this afternoon on their very first Easy Jet flight. Yes, you heard me correctly -- given the current economic conditions in the UK and with new austerity measures in place, even the Princes are doing their part and taking a flight today with a price tag of just forty-four, ninety-nine. (laughs) Maybe they are just like the rest of us. The Princes are escorted away from the crowd and jump in the back of a waiting Range Rover. The enormous press corp runs across the vast lawn for one last photo. FEMALE REPORTER Then again, maybe not. 3.

EXT. DOWNTOWN EDINBURGH - SAME TIME - CREDITS CONTINUE A traffic jam in a town that’s probably never had one.

INT. TAXI - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC JAM In the backseat we find ALEXANDRA (ALI) PADGET, twenty-four and effortlessly appealing. Ali is an American, working for a British On-Air Newscaster at CNN’s London Bureau. Ali is super capable and to her boss, quite indispensable. She’s at that mid-twenties age when lots of girls are still trying to figure out who they are but Ali’s known who she is all her life. No one has ever been worried about Ali Padget. She is a girl’s girl, a guy’s girl, and a good girl. Ali wears a CNN Press Badge around her neck, an army jacket over a print dress and tights. She talks into a hands-free mic on her cell phone cord. ALI Hi, it’s me, I’m on my way back but wanted to give you a heads up about the protest. (referring to notes) It’s definitely going to start tomorrow night, right before the G8 Conference begins. They expect a crowd of three to four hundred, could be more if doesn’t rain. The main thrust is the Eurozone crisis and their anger at David Cameron for rejecting the French President’s tax proposal. The guy heading the protest is a seventy- one year old from London, Michael Cartwright, looks kinda Bob Dylan- ish, he’s beyond excited to be on the show and he told me he has a huge crush on you. Yeah, no I’m not kidding. Don’t worry, he’s totally normal...ish... (notices Police lining the street) I e-mailed you all the research and- (flipping notepad) Oh, you got a request to speak at Oxford’s graduation but it’s the same weekend you and Steven are going to Tuscany... (surprised) You sure? Really? Okay, I’ll pass. My flight’s in an hour, I’m reachable ‘til then. Oh, and Jillian -- bring a coat. It’s like not even close to warm here. (checks watch) (MORE) 4. ALI (CONT'D) You’re on in four minutes. I know you know, I’m just double... Okay... (hangs up) Ali looks out the window, realizes they haven’t moved. ALI (to Cabbie) Is all this traffic because of the G8 conference? CABBIE It’s because the Royals are here...for their cousin’s wedding. ALI Oh, right, yeah, read something about that. (sort of rolls her eyes, when her Cell RINGS, she answers...) Ali Padget. (smiles) Moving Tuscany. Yeah, no, it’s Oxford, I get it. (checks her watch) Three minutes to... I know... Have a good show. CABBIE There they go..! Ali looks out her window as the Royal Motorcade drives right by them. ALI Whoa. Intense. She SNAPS A PHOTO of their Range Rover.

INT. EDINBURGH AIRPORT - SHORTLY AFTER - CREDITS CONTINUE Ali rushes through the airport, zig zagging around other travelers.

INT. AIRPORT SECURITY Ali quickly takes off her shoes, jacket, scarf, empties her pockets and tosses her cell into the plastic bin. As she passes through the metal detector her CELL GOES OFF. ALI (to Security Guy) Do you think I can answer that? I (MORE) 5. ALI (CONT'D) work for CNN, it could be my-- (sees his dour face) Not a problem. I can just... am I good? She rushes over to her bin, grabs her things.

INT. MAIN LOBBY OF THE AIRPORT - CREDITS CONTINUE The Two Princes are escorted through the same airport surrounded by the Royal Police Protection. The Princes wave to onlookers, snapping their photo. AT SECURITY CHECK IN Passengers are held back by Police as the Royals make their way to Security. The Passengers applaud and wave. WOMAN FROM THE CROWD Marry me! ALFIE Me or him? WOMAN FROM CROWD Either one! The Crowd erupts in laughter as the Princes approach the X- ray table and look at the stack of bins, not sure what they are for? AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD Do you have anything to check, your Royal Highness? JAMES Ah. Sorry, I don’t actually carry anything. (the Guard is surprised) It’s a Royal thing.

INT. EASY JET - BOARDING - CREDITS FADE Alfie and James ENTER THE PLANE and smile their hellos at the very excited Flight Attendants. FLIGHT ATTENDANT (curtseys to James) Your Royal Highness. You have these back eight rows so you can sit anywhere, Sir. JAMES Lovely. Thank you very much. 6.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT Excuse me, Sir, but there was one seat already taken in your section, I’m so sorry about that. JAMES No problem. Alfie has moved ahead and stopped at a row of three-seats, looks down and smiles. James joins him. ALFIE This looks like a good row. James look down at the row and sees Ali, passed out - asleep in the middle seat with an empty seat on either side of her. JAMES (warning) Come on... Alfie scoots over Ali’s legs to take the window seat. James reluctantly takes the aisle seat. Two Princes book-ending a sleeping American girl. JAMES (whispers) This is really not funny. ALFIE (whispers) I disagree. I think it’s hilarious. (nods to Ali) Pretty hot... JAMES (looks at her face) Cute. Definitely cute. James looks away as the rest of his Staff fills in the seats around them. The Boys are handed their cell phones. Two each. Another staff member hands them each a file. James accepts his. Alfie declines. SIMON, the Head Protection Officer for James, stops at James’s seat, kneeling beside the Prince. SIMON Everything okay Sir? Comfortable? JAMES Yes, perfect, Simon. Thank you. SIMON The young lady, Sir? 7.

JAMES My brother’s idea of fun. Maybe she’ll sleep all the way to London. SIMON Let’s hope so, Sir. At least we know there’s oxygen in the overhead. Meanwhile, Alfie is checking out Ali’s tote bag. Sees an OK! Magazine sticking out, sees her iPhone, notepad, a paperback - - HOW TO END GLOBAL HUNGER and under that, FIFTY SHADES FREED. Alfie lifts up Fifty Shades, shows it to James, raising his eyebrows. James indicates he should put that back! Alfie begins to read it. Ali opens her eyes for a quick sec, doesn’t really see who’s around her, falls right back asleep, her hand resting on James’s thigh. The boys exchange a look. Alfie looks away, James takes another look at Ali. Definitely cute.

INT. PLANE - UP IN THE AIR A bit of turbulence and Ali opens her eyes. She realizes she was leaning a bit on the person to her right -- James. She apologizes without really looking at him but James is asleep and turned away from her. He’s wearing aviator sunglasses and a baseball cap and she can’t tell who he is. Ali stretches a bit and decides to take a look at the person on her other side who is also asleep. She glances over then looks right back. What!?! She looks again. Holy shit! She covers her mouth to keep from letting out a scream. She gingerly takes her cell out of her tote and starts to aim it at him for a photo when... JAMES (O.S.) -- You don’t really want to do that, do you? ALI (turns to him) I know, it’s tacky but do you -- (realizes) OhmyGod. (starts laughing) Is this a joke? What’s going on? JAMES I know. We’re traveling on Easy Jet. It’s weird. (extends his hand) James. Sorry about your seat assignment. 8.

ALI (shakes his hand) Yeah. No. It’s totally fine. I’m Ali. Amazing to meet you. ALFIE (wakes up with a stretch, Ali turns, he extends his hand to her) Hey. Alfie. ALI Yeah. Hi. Ali Padget. Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you, Your uh...Your uh... Oh, God, brain freeze, I cannot think of the word that follows “Your...” This is not normal. It’s, Your um-- ALFIE Highness. ALI Yes! Sorry to wake you, Your Highness. ALFIE I’m thrilled you did. You’re American. Where are you from? ALI Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. But I’m living in London. ALFIE Semester abroad? ALI No, I’m a bit older than that. I work at CNN. For Jillian Durrani. ALFIE Oh, I like her. She’s very smart. ALI Yeah, she’s brilliant. I love her. JAMES What do you do for her? ALFIE Do you, by any chance, have any gum or mints? 9.

ALI (digs in her bag) I do actually... I, I.. I..um... (can’t believe this is happening) I do her research, I help set up her interviews, help edit her scripts, do fact checking. I do pretty much whatever she needs. (hands Alfie Altoids) Here you go. (looks at them both) So how was the wedding? JAMES Fantastic actually. Less than a thousand attended which is pretty low-key for our family. ALI Right. FLIGHT ATTENDANT -- Refreshments? The Boys look to Ali. ALI Please! Yes. Um. Glass of wine. White. With ice. ALFIE I’ll have the same. Hold the ice. (to Ali) Ice? ALI Low tolerance. JAMES Sparkling water. Thank you. As Ali opens her wallet to pay. FLIGHT ATTENDANT It’s on the house. ALI Really? Oh! Thank you. The Flight Attendant hands them their drinks. Alfie raises his for a toast. ALFIE To Ali. So glad you woke up. 10.

Ali and Alfie toast. God, he’s cute. James toasts Ali with his water. ALI I think it’s bad luck to toast with water. JAMES I’ll risk it. (they toast, he’s beyond adorable) My brother happens to be right for once. Lovely to meet you. ALI (barely able to speak) Thank you... Ali drinks much more than a normal first sip. JAMES Ali, do you by any chance, play poker? ALI I do. Do you have a deck of cards? A Deck of Cards instantly appear from ANGUS, James’s Private Secretary, sitting right across the aisle. ALI That was cool. (to the Boys) So... what are we playing for? Ali looks from James to Alfie who stare at one another. It seems they are playing for her. QUICK CUTS. Ali holds the cards up to her face, only her eyes showing. Later, Ali has a straight flush. She wins. More drinks arrive, more laughter, pound notes build on the tray table. Several of the Princes’s staff members stand in the aisles, watching. Ali laughs, almost leaning on Alfie. James wins a hand then Alfie holds the King of Hearts up against James’s face... making the comparison between Royals. James holds up a Joker, compares it to Alfie... Ali can’t help but laugh.

EXT. GATWICK AIRPORT - EARLY EVENING The Easy Jet sits on the tarmac. A small motorcade of Range Rovers and police motorcycles wait nearby. Ali, carrying her tote and overnight bag, stands with James and Alfie as the Royal Police Protection quietly form a 11. circle around them. The other Passengers exit the stairs from the plane, many taking photos of the Boys on their way. ALI (a bit overwhelmed) Well, this was amazing and... unforgettable. I’m really sorry to have taken your money but I played a lot of Hold’em in college-- James gently eases Ali toward him, preventing her from bumping into one of the Protection officers. She looks up at James. A strange feeling of intimacy. JAMES -- Can we give you a lift? ALI (backing off a bit) Oh, you know, I was just gonna grab a cab, I don’t want to take you out of your way. I’m sure we live nowhere near each other. ALFIE Come out with us. We’re not ready to go home. Ali looks from Alfie to James. James nods. What parallel universe is this? Very quickly the passengers are getting closer, starting to congregate around them. ALI Really? No... I mean, it would be fun, I’m sure but I should probably- Alfie grabs Ali’s hand and runs with her to the closest Range Rover. Angus arrives next to James and they exchange a look.

EXT. BOUJIS NIGHT CLUB - SOUTH KENSINGTON - NIGHT The Range Rover pulls up to THE SIDE ENTRANCE of this private member’s club. Simon opens the back door and The Royal Protection Squad lines up, making a wall protecting James, Alfie and Ali from sight.

THE CLUB’S KITCHEN The Protection Police swiftly escort James, Alfie and Ali through the kitchen. James discreetly nods to the Chef as Alfie swipes a bottle of champagne off a passing tray. James turns back to check on Ali. 12.

INT. ANCIENT STAIRWELL The kind you only find in London. The entire gang rushes up the small circular stairs, EXITING A DOOR and ARRIVING IN:

THE BOUJIS NIGHT CLUB’S UPPER LANDING Loud house music. Our trio is taken to a booth in the intimate lounge area overlooking the crowded dance floor. ALI Think I’m going to run to the loo for a quick sec. ALFIE No texting and peeing. Ali laughs. Alone now, the two brothers eye one another. ALFIE How cute is that? JAMES That? Really? I think she’s beautiful actually.

INT. LADIES ROOM ALI (rushing in) Ohmygod, ohmygod. (looks at herself in the mirror) Surrealll! In QUICK CUTS Ali pulls off her army jacket, fluffs up her wrinkled dress, takes out her lip gloss, puts it on, dabs it on her cheeks, tries to fix her hair, checks out her butt, then can’t help it, lets out a scream.

INT. CLUB Ali returns to her seat as champagne is being poured. JAMES Hungry? ALI Starved. JAMES Me too. James nods to a Waiter who gets the message and heads off. 13.

ALI So he knows what you want from a nod? JAMES I think he’s bringing a little of everything but feel free to... ALI A little of everything should do it. (notices Alfie staring at her, turns to him) Hello. ALFIE I’m trying to figure out what Ali’s short for? Albert? Alcott? Alejandro. Ali laughs. James feels upstaged. ALI Alexandra. ALFIE We have a great great something on our grandmother’s side named Alexandra. ALI She was the mother of James IV. JAMES Exactly. (to Alfie) Astonishing that you don’t know that. ALI I was named after her. JAMES Really? ALI Well, I like to pretend I am. ALFIE Okay. I need you to sit closer to me. Alfie pulls her a little closer and she smiles up at him. They seem quite taken with one another and it suddenly feels like they’re on a date. James is the odd man out. LATER 14.

Eating dinner. It seems all about Ali and Alfie now. She remains seated closer to Alfie as he makes her laugh and asks for a bite of her pasta. LATER Ali and Alfie are on the dance floor. She manages to escape his moves, which are a bit too forward for her - even if he is a Prince. James chats with some guy friends but watches them through the crowd.

INT. VIP ROOM - A BIT LATER It’s just the three of them playing pool and taking shots. Security guards the door. ALI (shooting and missing) I wasn’t kidding, I really don’t know how to play. JAMES (shooting) Clearly trying to hustle us again. ALFIE (downing a shot) I need to head to the uh... (to Ali and James) Anybody else? ALI I’m good. Security escorts Alfie out the door. James, a bit shy, chalks his cue. ALI So... James the sixth or is it the fifth? JAMES Seventh actually. (shoots and misses) Apparently a very long line of exceptionally crappy pool players. ALI So are you having fun tonight? JAMES Ah, so my cool exterior has successfully confused you. Yes, I actually love this place, we can relax here...makes us feel almost normal. Am I acting almost normal? (MORE) 15. JAMES (CONT'D) You can tell me. Kinda? In the vicinity of normal-ocity? ALI Yes! Completely. JAMES Excellent! (mutters) Faked it again. ALI (laughs) You seem to do really great at all this... (James listens...) At being you. JAMES Yes, well, I’ve had a lot of practice at it. Okay, you’re up Padget, you have to play for Alfie. ALI That’s seriously not fair to Alfie. JAMES Exactly. Ali tries to figure out her move. James approaches. JAMES May I? ALI Sure. As Ali leans over the table, positioning the cue, James very carefully adjusts her arms without doing the obvious arms wrapped around her thing. Ali gets how gentle and gentlemanly he’s being -- looks over at him. JAMES Wouldn’t want my brother to walk in and see me with my arms around you. ALI (nods) Alright! Here I go. Apologizing in advance. Ali shoots and pockets the ball. JAMES Bugger! 16.

Just then Alfie RE-ENTERS with THREE GUYS around his age - handsome, aristocratic and self-satisfied. The boys are drunk and loud. ALFIE Look who I found slumming downstairs! Ali, this is Graham, Ollie, Rufus. Chaps, meet Alexandra from row 48, seat F - Easy Jet Edinburgh to London. Ali laughs, although maybe that was a bit dismissive. She waves to the guys. ALFIE What’d I miss? (looks from James to Ali) JAMES While you were gone --- you won. ALFIE (to Ali) You did that for me? (Ali’s taken by surprise as he slips his arm around her waist) Let’s get out of here. Where should we go next? ALI (slipping away) Next? Next for me is bed. I have an actual job you know. Not that you two don’t! Alfie feigns being wounded. James smiles to himself, puts away his cue. Ali looks over at him. Did that hurt his feelings? ALFIE (with faux gallantry) Then I shall take you home. RUFUS Thought you wanted to go out. Ali can see Alfie is torn. JAMES (crosses to Ali) I’ll see you home. Ali looks to James. Not an entirely objectionable idea. 17.

ALFIE -- You don’t mind if the old man takes you? Tell me and I won’t go with these blokes. ALI No, don’t worry, really, we’re good. ALFIE Try not to bore her to death, J. JAMES Do my best. Alfie crosses to Ali, takes her hand, kisses it. ALFIE I’ll find you... Whoa. That gets her. James notices. His little bro can be very smooth when he wants to be.

EXT. ALI’S FLAT - EAST LONDON - NIGHT Wedged between a pub and a coffee shop is Alie’s four story brick building. Although in a nouveau-trendy neighborhood, this building has kept it’s story-book charm. James walks Ali to her door, holding her carry-on bag. A few Range Rovers sit curb-side, engines humming. Simon stands across the street with a discreet but watchful eye. JAMES I love this neighborhood by the way. Great restaurants, close to the park... ALI -- Yeah, I lucked out. You live where? Not Buckingham Palace..? JAMES No, no, definitely not. Yet. I live at Clarence House in Westminster with my brother and our father. ALI A raging bachelor pad, huh? JAMES Yeah, we’re some wild and crazy Royals. (Ali laughs) Thanks for hanging out with us Ali. (MORE) 18. JAMES (CONT'D) You’re a fantastic sport. I had a really... great time. Honestly. ALI Yeah, me too. And hey -- I finally have something to tell my grandkids. JAMES Be kind. ALI You’re very different than I thought you’d be... JAMES -- Yes, I know, I’ve been told I appear quite starchy and robotic. Which I actually am most of the time. ALI You’re really sweet and thoughtful. And funny... It’s hard to see all that on the news I guess. JAMES -- Speaking of which, I’d really appreciate if you wouldn’t talk too much about this. It’s hard for us to, you know, meet new people when we worry we may read about ourselves and I know you work for CNN, so... ALI You will never read about this... First of all, no one would ever believe me and anyway, this one’s for me. JAMES Thank you. It’s just something I have to say. Occupational hazard. ALI I get it. A moment is stirring between them. JAMES Well, I’m sorry the fun brother isn’t here to see you in. I’m sure if he was here, he’d take you in his arms and kiss you good-night. (Ali looks up at him -- (MORE) 19. JAMES (CONT'D) Is this a dream?) So, here’s a kiss... from Alfie. James kisses Ali and it’s a lot more of a kiss than she ever expected. She opens her eyes in astonishment, leans up, kisses him again. He pulls her close. ALI You smell just like a regular boy. JAMES That’s funny. You smell like a princess. ALI (oh. my. Goddddd.) Do you want to come in? JAMES Don’t think I should but I’d really like to see you again. If you think that could be in the cards. (he actually seems vulnerable about this) ALI I think it could. Definitely. (James smiles, relaxes) But don’t you have a girlfriend? Jemima with a hyphen something? JAMES Jemima Billington-Finch? She is not my girlfriend although I can’t keep her from saying she is to apparently everyone, including the press. I’m just a Prince, you know, have very little actual control over things. Here’s my number. (hands her a printed card) Ring me up tomorrow and we’ll make a plan? ALI Hold on, I’ll just put it in my mobile. (reaches for her cell) JAMES May be better to keep it separate. ALI Of course. 20.

JAMES (kisses her on the cheek) Sleep tight. ALI I will. One of the Range Rovers pulls up, James gets into the passenger seat and the car pulls away. ALI What just happened? Ali looks down at the card. Touches the letter pressed phone number with no name on the card. From around the corner comes a Young Blonde Woman, who looks like she’s had a long night. She’s in heels that are killing her and a dress she can’t wait to get out of. Her name is VICKY and she’s Ali’s roommate. CNN paired this unlikely combo together but somehow it works. Vicky dresses a little too provocatively for almost every occasion. She speaks with a British accent. VICKY No way. What are you doing out and about at this hour? ALI You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. VICKY (joining her at their front door) Really? So tell me. ALI I met someone on the plane coming back from Edinburgh, he was in the seat next to me, we went out for some drinks when we landed and he just brought me home. He was just standing here. Just a second ago. Like right here. VICKY Yeah, I get it - he was here. I know how you hate not being asleep by 10:30 but it’s about time. I hate being the only drunken harlot in our flat. (opens the door with her key) Is he cute? Who is he? What’s his name? 21.

INT. FLAT - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS A bit creaky but tons of charm. ALI (following her in) He’s like really cute, handsome even... and incredibly nice and his name is- (Vicky waits) Jim. Not sure of his last name. Honestly. VICKY Where’d he take you? ALI To a club in South Kensington, it’s all a bit of a blur, I can’t even remember the name of the place. VICKY (taking leftovers out of fridge, stops) It wasn’t Boujis was it? Ali, that’s the most exclusive private club in London. James and Alfie go there all the time. ALI Do they? VICKY They were there two weeks ago. Remember when they were on the cover of HELLO. This guy must be friends with them, no normal people can get in there. I would kill, KILL, to go there. Did you see anyone famous? Were any Royals there? The cousins? Any of them? (takes out her phone) I’m googling clubs in Kensington. It had to be Boujis. ALI No, don’t. It wasn’t Boujis. It wasn’t that cool. (catches herself in the mirror) I can’t believe I went out in this outfit. I couldn’t look worse. VICKY I’d like to meet the guy you’d stay out with ‘til 2 a.m. 22.

ALI (laughs that off) Yeah... (changing the subject) How was the red carpet? VICKY Nightmare as usual. Me and fifty other freaks with microphones. We stood behind the rope for three hours before the ac-tors showed up and then they give us the same bull they’ve said on every other red carpet. Channing Tatum is very cute though. Do not understand that he’s married... ALI Vicky, look at me -- do I look like me to you? (Vicky -- confused by the question) Or do I look different because I feel not like me in any way. I’m not explaining this well but just indulge me. VICKY You need to get out more often. ALI I know... (checks her watch) Oh, God, I will not do well on 5 hours sleep... ‘Night night.. (Ali nods, heads off, waves like the Queen) VICKY (doing the Queen wave back) Al...Below the crown, above the pearls. (Ali raises her wave.) That’s the ticket. Very Royal.

INT. DOUBLE DECKER BUS - THE NEXT MORNING Ali rides the bus to work, google-imaging Jemima Billington- Finch. She’s tall, blonde and stunning. One photo is of Jemima with James at an official looking event. Then Ali sees a photo of Jemima on a YACHT. She enlarges it. Jemima is in the tiniest of bikinis, full side boob out, wet hair, with a cigarette dangling out of her mouth. 23.

ALI Ew. Ali decides, enough of that and drops her phone in her purse, then pulls out James’s card, looks at it. She glances across the aisle of the bus, sees A HUGE HEADLINE on someone’s DAILY MIRROR. It says: BUSTED! ALFIE VISITS STRIP CLUB AT 1 A.M.! Under the headline, a PHOTO of ALFIE from last night with a topless girl giving him a lap dance. What?!! Ali can’t believe it, looks around the bus. More HEADLINES -- HEIR HE GOES AGAIN! - Another Paper -- WHAT WILL GRANNY SAY? Ali pulls out her iPhone, quickly googling Alfie and accidentally dropping James’s card between the seats. In her excitement, she doesn’t notice. TIGHT ON THE iPHONE Prince Alfie, third in line for the throne, visited a lap dancing club late last night and was photographed with a naked exotic dancer on his lap. Ali looks up, realizes she has passed her stop, rises.

EXT. CROWDED LONDON STREET - CONTINUOUS Ali walks quickly through the street when she realizes something. She stops, searches her pockets, her purse. Oh no. She doesn’t have James’s card. She turns back, looks into the congested street, sees FOUR DOUBLE DECKER BUSES.

INT. DOUBLE DECKER BUS - MOVING Ali rushes through to find her seat but there are tons of people on this bus -- this definitely isn’t the bus she was just on. She looks out the window as her bus passes by.

INT. THE NEXT DOUBLE DECKER BUS - MOVING Ali pays, rushes to the back of the bus, recognizes the Man who was reading the Daily Mirror. Relieved, she moves to her seat where a proper looking Gentleman in a three piece suit is now sitting reading The Financial Times. ALI Hi, sorry to disturb, but I was just sitting here a moment ago and I think I lost something in the seat... (no reaction) Could I bother you to stand just so I can take a... (he doesn’t move) (MORE) 24. ALI (CONT'D) It’ll just take a sec, I’m pretty sure I know where it went... (The man doesn’t budge) Seriously dude! Get the fuck up! Frightened, the Man quickly stands. Ali spots James’s card wedged between the seats, grabs it. ALI Sorry about the language. It was important.

INT. CNN OFFICES - MORNING A sprawling modern space. The London Bureau employs more than a hundred and fifty people, one of whom is running very late due to her night out with the future King of England. The Prince Alfie story is spreading around the office like wildfire. Everyone seems to be reading about it on-line. Ali dashes in holding two Starbucks. She sets one down on the desk of HUGH BROWNING, 28. Hugh is British, with floppy hair and an adorable smile. The kind of guy girls don’t fully appreciate until they get older. He’s extremely keen on Ali and everyone knows it -- including Ali. HUGH (looks up from his computer as she passes) For a girl who’s never late.... ALI I know. Don’t even ask. Ali arrives at her desk, stickers for Oxfam, One Campaign and Zero Hunger are on her computer. She puts down her bag, turns on her desktop, immediately getting to work. A G-CHAT MESSAGE POPS UP on her screen. HUGH Tell the truth -- Were you out late with the Idiot Prince? ALI (looks over at Hugh) What!?! HUGH (rises, crossing to her) You haven’t read about stripper- gate? This is his best yet. 25.

ALI Oh that. Yeah. Hel-lo! Cell phones! Ali slips James’s card into her desk drawer for safe keeping. HUGH So what happened last night? We were going to watch Britain’s Got Talent together. Not together but, you know, at the same time. I was writing you all these brilliant quips. ALI I know. I saw them this morning. They were really funny. I’m sorry. I got home late from Edinburgh and just passed out. COLIN, late twenties, glasses, calls out from his desk. COLIN New pix of Alfie at the strip club! They’re brilliant! His hands are actually cupping her-- HUGH The guy is a such a wanker. Ali immediately goes online and cell-phone photos of Alfie getting a lap dance appear on her screen with the headline -- “Alfie and Her Heiny.” HUGH Good headline. ALI I can’t believe this is where he went. HUGH Why? What else does he have to do? WOMAN’S VOICE (O.S.) Ali?

INT. JILLIAN DURRANI’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER JILLIAN, mid-forties, attractive and a powerhouse, sits behind her circular desk. FOOTAGE OF PRINCE ALFIE plays muted on CNN in the background. 26.

ALI (entering) So sorry I’m late, I left something on the bus, it was a whole thing-- JILLIAN Don’t worry. You’re good? ALI Yeah. Perfect. Okay so here’s your itinerary... (her eyes drift up to the TV) -- rundown of the conference... (distracted) -- interview schedule, time permitting schedule, names of everyone attending with their photos... (eyes on TV) Can we turn this up? JILLIAN (turning up the volume) Can you believe this kid? TV REPORTER More photographs of Prince Alfred’s night at The Platinum Club for Men have been rolling in and it appears he was with three friends from St. Andrews, where the two Princes attended University. Earlier in the evening, Prince Alfie was seen at the South Kensington hot spot Boujis with his older brother, Prince James, who apparently left at about 1 a.m. and did not join the younger Prince into the wee hours. A PHOTOGRAPH APPEARS of James getting into his Range Rover. We can see Ali’s legs in the backseat. Ali’s eyes widen. ALI (changing the subject) Did you want me to make any dinner reservations in Edinburgh? JILLIAN Hold on. Wonder who James was with? Oh, really bad shoes. Ali looks down. She’s still wearing them. TV REPORTER Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on Prince Alfie’s latest (MORE) 27. TV REPORTER (CONT'D) exploit but we have been told the young Royal will be heading off later this evening for a six week stint in Zimbabwe to begin work as a volunteer in The Queen’s Tusk Trust, an environmental organization which is... JILLIAN (muting the TV) Well, they nipped that one in the bud. Shipping him off to Africa. I always liked James better anyway, don’t you? ALI Me? Uh, yeah actually. I think I do.

EXT. - ST. JAMES PALACE INNER COURTYARD - SAME TIME Part Hogwarts, part Palace. Enormous, brick and a bit scary looking. Beefeater Guards stand at all entrances. In a grey suit, blue shirt, no tie, James walks briskly across the massive courtyard as Angus, his Private Secretary, keeps pace with him. Behind them is James’s Personal Private Secretary, his Deputy Press Secretary and his Communications Secretary. All carry stacks of papers. James flips through Photos of Alfie on his iPhone as he listens to his schedule for the day. ANGUS -- At 11 a.m., you’ll attend the opening of the new Barclay Building in Tech City. At noon, you’ll introduce the New Media Conference, 2500 are expected to attend. At three, a short visit to an inner city school-- JAMES (looking at photos) -- How can he be so stupid? Really. It’s astonishing. Angus, did you see these? He’s actually smiling for the camera in this one. ANGUS I did Sir. The internet complicates these moments, doesn’t it. James’s phone BUZZES. He looks down at it and we see a TEXT from Alfie that reads “Off to Africa to play with the other wild animals. Thought you might enjoy this. X.” James opens 28. the attachment which is a sweet PHOTO OF ALI, asleep on the plane. James smiles to himself, then gives his attention back to Angus. JAMES Sorry. Again, please, Angus? At three, a short visit to--? ANGUS -- An inner city school, Sir. JAMES Oh, good. That’s very good. James slips his iPhone into his breast pocket as an Equerry opens the door of a Range Rover and James gets inside.

EXT. LONDON STREET - EARLY THAT EVENING A jammed city street where we find Ali walking home from work. She holds James’s card in one hand, her cell in her other. She looks at the card, a bit too nervous to dial. She passes by a pub whose patrons overflow onto the sidewalk. HUGH (O.S.) Ali! Ali turns, spots Hugh having a pint with a few co-workers. She waves. Hugh gestures for her to come in and join him. ALI (yells back) I can’t, I’ve got a lot of work to-- (Hugh doesn’t believe her) I do!!! (Hugh doesn’t buy it) ALI Maybe tomorrow! Hugh shakes his head - she never changes. Ali throws him a kiss and moves on as Hugh turns his attention to another Girl from the office. At the corner, Ali looks down at her cell, braves it, punches in James’s number really fast, hesitates then hits SEND. The Traffic Light turns green and Ali begins to cross the street, then rushes right back to the corner as the phone rings and someone answers. VOICE ON PHONE You have reached the gift shop at Buckingham Palace. We are open from 9am to 5pm. 29.

ALI What?! (dials again) VOICE ON PHONE You have reached the gift shop-- Mortified, she hangs up. She can’t believe it. She passes a trash can and flips the card into it when her cell RINGS. She doesn’t feel like answering. ALI Yeah. Hello. This is Ali. JAMES’S VOICE Oh, good. I was hoping it was you. ALI (stops dead in her tracks) Um... (suddenly really nice) May I ask who’s calling? JAMES’S VOICE (a tad insecure) It’s James. From last night... ALI Okay, I thought so. James! I thought you gave me a fake number. JAMES’S VOICE Yeah, that’s... sorry - totally my fault. I should have explained -- I can’t really put my voice on the ansaphone. ALI (crosses to the trash bin, retrieves card) Of course, yeah.. No, I get it. Hackers and weirdos and-- JAMES -- Thought about you a lot today. (Ali perks up) Want to grab a bite to eat?

INT. ALI’S FLAT - AN HOUR LATER Ali is finishing getting dressed. She looks pretty fantastic. Miu Miu by way of Top Shop. She dabs some perfume on her wrists when Vicky sticks her head in, wearing another saucy dress and heels. 30.

VICKY Whoa. Aren’t we looking fantabulous. I take it he called. Oh, by the way, James and Alfie were at Boujis last night so that’s clearly not where you were. ALI Clearly. VICKY I wonder who they were with. Someone on-line said they were with a girl who wasn’t very cute. Said she looked like she needed a bath. ALI Okay, that’s just not nice. Maybe she just came from work. VICKY Darling it was on the internet, no one is nice on the internet. And the Royals don’t date girls who work. Now what time is he coming? I have to be at the premiere after- party by 8:45. ALI Nine. He’s comin’ at nine. VICKY Bummer. Take his picture or something. ALI I’ll try.

EXT. FLAT - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER Vicky EXITS the flat, walking right past an Audi parked at the curb. Just as she passes the Audi, James steps out. Oops. He’s forgotten something, ducks back in. Just as he does that, Vicky walks back by his car, realizing she was heading in the wrong direction. Just as she passes by, James shuts the car door, locking it with a beep.

KNOCK KNOCK A door has never been opened faster. There she is. And there he is. JAMES You look fantastic. 31.

ALI I’m not gonna lie, James. I tried. JAMES Job well done. He kisses her on the cheek. ALI So, Zimbabwe... JAMES Do you realize if he had taken you home last night, none of this would have happened... until maybe next weekend. Shall we?

INT. AUDI - MOVING James behind the wheel, wearing a baseball cap. Ali looks in the backseat. ALI So they let you drive all alone - no security? JAMES I’m not entirely alone. ALI Really? Where are they? James nods to the CAR driving in the next lane. Ali peeks over. It’s Simon. He nods discreetly at her. ALI Oh my God. JAMES And then... James nods to the other side and there’s another plain clothes Police Officer driving a TAXI. He nods to Ali. So does his passenger. ALI Wow. But what about the cars in front of you and behind you. JAMES I’m afraid that’s us too. And then of course there’s the little man in the boot. 32.

ALI Okay, now you’re kidding. (James shrugs) Aren’t you? JAMES Okay, he’s not that little. He just, you know, has very stubby little legs. Ali playfully slugs him, then instantly regrets that. ALI I’m sorry. I’m not sure what the rules are about touching. I read on- line -- never touch a Royal unless... JAMES -- They touch you first. That’s true actually. But I think we already skipped past that last night when my lips were...and for sure when your tongue... ALI -- Oh God. (playfully SLUGS him again) JAMES Ow. You realize the trained killers who protect me are just a nod away. (Ali laughs) Do me favor? Don’t worry about the rules, just treat me the way you would anyone else you date. Who else do you date by the way?

INT. PRIVATE DINING ROOM - ITALIAN RESTAURANT - A BIT LATER James and Ali dine at the end of a very long table. They are the only ones in this WINE CELLAR/PRIVATE DINING ROOM of an otherwise busy Italian restaurant. CAMERA creeps up on them. JAMES So, let me see if I’m following... you’re saying you always break up with your boyfriends. ALI No. Not always. Just twice. JAMES But you’ve only had two boyfriends. 33.

ALI Okay then, yes. I do. Technically. JAMES Okay, go on. ALI The most recent one worked at CNN with me in New York. We were both interns at the same time then we both got real jobs there but I knew he really wasn’t... whatever... JAMES The one? ALI Correct. He was not the one... so I thought it was best to break up but then we kept seeing each other every day at work. That got to be really not fun for either one of us, so when Jillian got transferred back to London and asked me to come with her, I jumped at it. JAMES So you were running away from a guy you broke up with? ALI Basically. JAMES Thoughtful. ALI I thought so. And -- it was an amazing opportunity. The global news still seems to have some dignity to it and it’s the greatest training... JAMES To become..? Sorry, I’ve been on the news but don’t know much about how it all... ALI Understood. Ummm Producer. That’s the dream. JAMES That’s cool... Okay, so... the other breakup? 34.

ALI I was barely 21 and too young to have a serious boyfriend. JAMES And since you’ve lived here who have you broken up with? ALI (laughs) It’s been pretty much all about work since I got here. Several Waiters arrive with their food. JAMES It’s weird being in a private room with all these waiters, isn’t it? ALI A little, but aren’t you used to this? JAMES Not really. I’m trying to keep this just between us because once we’re found out, it can get crazy. You’d hate it and probably break up with me. Should we ask them to wrap this up and we can take it back to your place. ALI Oh you don’t want to do that. JAMES I won’t judge. ALI James, it’s not remotely fancy. JAMES Good. ALI No, it’s like seriously, the opposite of fancy. Believe me, you’ve never been in a flat like mine. JAMES Do you have a table and chairs? ALI -- Barely. 35.

JAMES (to Waiter) Could we get this to go?

INT. ALI’S FLAT - A LITTLE LATER Ali and James ENTER, carrying take out bags. JAMES Ahhh. I like this so much better already. Great place by the way. (closes the curtains, tosses his jacket on the couch) ALI (setting the table.) CNN found it for me. Yeah, it’s great if you don’t like your water too hot or too clean. Can you do anything about that by the way? JAMES (thinks about it...) Don’t think so. ALI Too bad. There’s also a leak over my bed, the floorboards creak like a haunted house but the good news is, it comes with a pub next door. Ali turns on her iPod as James folds the take out bags. They’re right next to one another. He takes her hand, kisses her. JAMES Definitely getting a massive crush on you. (re: bags) Do you save bags? ALI Yeah. I do. He hands her the bags. They kiss again. She puts the bags away. James opens a Kitchen Cupboard looking for glasses and sees a dozen ROYAL FAMILY GLASSES staring back at him. One even has his face on it. JAMES Fantastic glassware. 36.

ALI Ahhh! (mortified) I forgot about those. JAMES (taking out two of them) I always wondered who bought these things. ALI They belong to my flat-mate. She’s obsessed with your entire family. She works the red carpet for CNN. She’s a big fan of yours - to put it mildly. If she saw you here, she would die. Like maybe literally. JAMES So you haven’t told her? ALI Haven’t told anyone. He takes note of that as they sit at Ali’s tiny table. James pours the wine from the restaurant into a glass with the Queen’s face on it and another with her husband’s face on it. Ali raises her glass. ALI To your grandparents. JAMES Long live the Queen. ALI Here here! How long has she been the Queen? JAMES Fifty-seven years. She became Queen when she was twenty-four. She was a young Mom with two kids. It wasn’t expected. ALI Wow. That’s my age. That’s incredible. (seems to have more to say but doesn’t) JAMES You know you don’t have to avoid asking me the obvious. (Ali hesitates) What it’s like. My life. 37.

ALI I thought maybe it’s nice for you not to have to talk about that. JAMES Thank you but one does get used to being the elephant in the room -- literally in every room -- I’ve ever been in -- since birth. So, sometimes talking about it, gets it over with. ALI I imagine your life is as normal to you as mine is to me. JAMES It is not normal to be drinking wine out of a glass with my grandmother’s face on it. Even I know that. ALI Okay, but just for the record, my Gran would kill for a glass with her face on it. (James laughs) So what’s the best thing about your life? Besides the palaces, the yachts, and one day being King. JAMES Yes, those things are quite good actually, well, the King thing sort of freaks me out at times, but I suppose the best thing about it all is that I get to lend my name to a lot of causes that help a lot of people. (sips his wine) ALI Right. Of course. Shallow American idiot. Sorry! So what’s the worst part, other than having to sit here with me for the rest of this conversation? JAMES (laughs at her) I guess how careful I have to be. Figuring out who to let in and of course, I imagine it might be fun to just walk down the street one day being entirely invisible... or at least just like everybody else. I definitely have all the big (MORE) 38. JAMES (CONT'D) things covered. It’s the little things... Oh, boo-hoo, right? ALI Hey, just so you know, walking down the street -- extremely overrated. Been doing it my whole life. It’s annoying actually. There’s like people coughing everywhere and they bump into you and don’t say they’re sorry... (he definitely likes her) And believe it or not, most of us don’t know who to let in. Just as their eyes connect, Ali hears a key in the door. ALI Oh, no, she’s home! James turns to see who SHE is when Ali grabs his hand and runs with him into her bedroom, shutting the door. Vicky ENTERS, hears the MUSIC, sees the table set for two, sees the wine. She smiles, sees James’s jacket on the sofa, lifts it up, checks it out. VICKY Cheap but nice... She peeks around the corner, sees Ali’s door is shut. VICKY Finally! Vicky crosses to the table -- the food looks good. Really good. She grabs her HELLO! Magazine with the Royals on the cover and sits in James’s chair, eats right off of his fork, drinks his wine.

INT. ALI’S BEDROOM - SAME TIME Ali and James sit side-by-side at the foot of Ali’s bed. ALI (whispers) You can’t go out there. Seriously, you cannot. JAMES What are we gonna do in here? She smiles. He smiles back. ALI I don’t think we should have sex. 39.

JAMES Wow, you got there really fast. ALI (mortified) Oh, God. I thought that was what you were thinking... JAMES Of course it’s what I was thinking, but I am a gentleman. ALI Yeah, I’ve heard that... He kisses her. They fall back on the bed, kissing again. ALI I have nothing against making out on the 1st date and actually this is really almost a 2nd date even though the first one was a bit shared... JAMES Think you could... ALI Shut up? JAMES Just while we’re-- ALI Yes. And as she rolls on top of him, we: CUT TO:

THE MORNING Ali opens her eyes. She’s under her duvet but still in her clothes. She sneaks a peek next to her and there he is in his t-shirt and jeans, sound asleep. She leans back against her pillow, looks up at the ceiling and does a silent scream. She looks back over and he’s watching her. She dies, pulls the covers over her face when James reaches under the covers... she screams. Her cell phone RINGS and RINGS. ALI (answers with a laugh) Hello! Oh. Jillian. Hi. (comes up for air) I’m home. Yeah, of course. No, no problem. Yeah, I’ll be there in 30 (MORE) 40. ALI (CONT'D) minutes. (pauses, starts to get out of bed, falls back) ALI I have to go to work. I’m sorry. JAMES On Saturday? ALI I know. It’s the news -- it happens when you least expect it. JAMES I hope it’s not about anyone I’m related to. ALI (rises, crossing to her dresser) It’s not. I may not be back ‘til late. You think you want to go back to sleep? Vicky doesn’t wake up ‘til noon so you’re safe ‘til then. JAMES (a tad thrown, sits up) No, I should get going. ALI (sits next to him) I had a really great time last night. Like best I’ve had in a long time. Or maybe ever. JAMES Yes, it was lovely. ALI (ouch) Not exactly the same but... James kisses her and she falls back and into his arms. JAMES I had one of the best times I’ve had in a long time too.. (kisses her again, then kisses her neck, then stops) You have to go. ALI I do. 41.

Ali rises, crosses to her bathroom, turns back to James. ALI Best time ever was maybe an exaggeration...but not by much. James smiles, agreeing with her. This is gonna be fun. MUSIC BEGINS.

EXT. MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT Ali walks up to the box office in jeans, Converse, blazer. ALI Two please. She pays for the tickets then nods to a darkened Range Rover. James slips out of the car, wearing a baseball cap down low.

INT. THEATER - MOMENTS LATER The movie has already started, the theater is dark. James and Ali slip into a row in the back. Simon leans in from the row behind them, hands them popcorn. James puts his arm around Ali, sneaks a look at her... smiling to himself.

EXT. QUIET STREET - LATE DAY - IT’S RAINING Ali and James walk under an umbrella. Again, James wears a baseball cap, and the collar on his jacket is up high. Two Range Rovers follow them slowly, windshield wipers wiping. Ali is telling James a detailed story that makes him laugh. Suddenly, James grabs Ali’s hand and ducks her into a narrow cobble-stoned street. He stops in a darkened doorway kissing her deeply as the rain falls around them.

EXT. ALI’S ROOFTOP - ANOTHER NIGHT A party is going on at Ali’s neighbor’s - a few buildings away. Nina Simone’s “My Baby Just Cares for Me” can be heard all the way on Ali’s roof. Ali and James step out onto the roof, beers in hand. They see the party a few buildings away. James takes Ali’s hand, dances jitterbug style with her under the stars. We HEAR the sound of a CAMERA clicking.

EXT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY The Royal Standard flutters, signifying the Queen is in residence. 42.

INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - SAME TIME We are in the OFFICE of ARTHUR HAVERSON. Communications Secretary to Her Majesty, the Queen. Arthur is tall, formidable, perfectly attired. He sits behind his rather large desk, looking at LONG LENS PHOTOS on his laptop. The photos are of James and Ali arriving at the Italian Restaurant, James exiting Ali’s flat in the morning, dancing on the rooftop, a photo of Ali, entering CNN carrying Starbucks. Closer Angle -- A windblown Ali talking on her cell. Arthur looks concerned and curious when an Equerry knocks and opens the door. AIDE Her Majesty can see you now Mr. Haverson. Arthur clicks off of the images on his computer.

INT. BURGER KING - LONDON - NIGHT Carrying a few Burger King bags, Ali heads for the exit. ALI (into cell) Mission accomplished. Be there in ten. You doing okay?

INT. ALI’S FLAT - SAME TIME James is lying on Ali’s bed, watching TV. JAMES I think a dog is about to win Britain’s Got Talent. He’s actually amazing. ALI DVR it. I’m on my way. CLOSE ON THE TV As the Dog dances, winning over Simon Cowell.

INT. FLAT - MOMENTS LATER The DOOR OPENS and it’s Vicky, carrying groceries. She hears the TV on in the bedroom, yells her hello. James EXITS THE BEDROOM, jeans, un-tucked shirt, bare feet. Vicky sees him -- lets out a scream. Her eyes roll back, she grabs onto a chair. 43.

JAMES Hold on... getting you water. He grabs her groceries, hands her a glass of water. It happens to be a glass with his face on it. Vicky curtseys and downs it. Still looks like she may faint, she gasps. James eases her into the chair. VICKY What are you doing here Your Highness? You are James, right? Not just some dumb bloke that happens to look like him. JAMES Well, I am a bit of a dumb bloke but I’m afraid I am him. VICKI Really? Can I see your ID? JAMES Sorry. Don’t have any. VICKY Oh, my God, you are him. Are there hidden cameras in here? What’s happening? JAMES No. No cameras. I’m a friend of Ali’s. VICKY Shut the fuck up!!! I’m sorry Your Highness. Forgive me. (curtseys and crosses herself) You’re not saying you’re the Jim Ali’s having it off with? That’s not possible. JAMES We are dating, yes. I’m sorry that she’s kept it from you. It just makes it easier for us. VICKY Us?! You’re an us with Ali Padget - my mousey little flat-mate who never goes out. This is brilliant. I’m such a big fan of yours, your Mom’s, bless her soul.. your Dad - love him -- all the Royals, but your Grandmother’s my personal fave. I’ve worshipped her my entire life. I know she’s hard on you boys, but she’s a good person down (MORE) 44. VICKY (CONT'D) deep. I’m right about that, aren’t I, James? JAMES Yes, down deep, she’s quite good. Most of the time... Ali ENTERS with bags from Burger King, sees Vicky chatting up James. VICKY Alexandra! This is fucking awesome! Get over here you little minx.

INT. FLAT - A HALF HOUR LATER James, Ali and Vicky sit around the table dining on burgers and fries. Vicky is non-stop. VICKY Do you remember that little jumper you wore on the lawn at Balmoral? You were about three and you were chasing a yellow ball. You were such a cute baby, James. And I loved your first school uniform. So handsome in your little grey cap. (James rubs his stomach) But my favorite Prince James photo is the one in college in your jeans and the French blue shirt unbuttoned to here. Had the poster over my bed for years. (James rubs his right side) ALI Is she giving you a stomach ache? JAMES No, no, loving the walk down memory lane. Possibly had one burger too many though. VICKY Now what about that Sexiest Man Alive cover? You know you beat out Brad Pitt in sales? JAMES That’s definitely not... (clearly in pain) --possible. ALI Are you sure you’re okay? 45.

JAMES I have kind of a weird pain but I’m sure it’ll pass. VICKY You should not be eating commoner food. You’re system’s not used to it. (slaps his hand off the fries) Sorry. JAMES It’s okay. She slaps me all the time. No, the food’s fantastic. It can’t be that. I think I’ll just lie on the sofa for a moment. He tries to get up, comes crashing down.

EXT. FLAT - NIGHT Ali runs out the front door, finds Simon dutifully standing across the street. SIMON What is it? ALI Something’s wrong. He’s sick.

EXT. LONDON STREET - NIGHT A yellow and green AMBULANCE races through East London, sirens blaring and followed by Police on motorcycles.

INT. E.R. - NIGHT A madhouse. The Royal Police and uniformed police are literally everywhere. Ali RUSHES IN, sees Angus show his credentials and enter past the police barricade. He’s followed by a small entourage. Ali approaches the Reception Desk. She can see the Royal Police ahead, surrounding what must be James’s room. RECEPTION NURSE Yes? ALI Hi, I’m, I’m... Ali sees Simon up ahead. He nods for her to take a seat. 46.

ALI Um, sorry, I’m just going to take a seat. Sorry. Simon joins Ali in the Waiting Room. ALI Simon, you’ll tell me as soon as they know what it is, right? SIMON I’ll do my best. It’s not really my place, Miss. ALI Should I tell somebody what happened? How the pain came on? SIMON He’s already conveyed that to the doctors. Simon and Ali look up as more Police ENTER surrounding James’s Dad, the imposing and elegant PRINCE GEORGE. George wears a tuxedo and is accompanied by a huge staff. PRINCE GEORGE (turns to Staff) Let Jemima in when she gets here. Angus leads Prince George down the hall toward his son. Ali takes a seat when the Paparazzi arrive, LIGHT BULBS FLASHING. The Police move them away from the Hospital’s entrance just as they jockey to get a shot of the stunning JEMIMA- BILLINGTON-FINCH who sweeps in with great panache. Jemima is late twenties, all legs and tresses. One of Angus’s staff immediately whisks her through. Ali tries to see where they’re taking her but can’t see past the crowd. Next to arrive is Arthur, the Queen’s Secretary of Communication. He discreetly shows his credentials, turns to see Ali, and then is immediately taken to Prince George. Ali watches all of this, feeling small and insignificant and wishing someone would tell her what’s going on. But no one does. DISSOLVE TO: THE HOURS PASSING. The hoopla slowly dies down but Ali sticks it out, never leaving the waiting room until sunrise. 47.

CLOSE - NEWS COVERAGE - FULL SCREEN DOCTOR ON TV (before microphones) Prince James arrived at Queen Anne’s Hospital at approximately 9:20 p.m. complaining of abdominal pain. A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed at approximately 10:30 p.m.. INT. ALI’S FLAT - MORNING. Vicky, clearly up all night, is glued to the TV. Ali ENTERS, looking wiped out. VICKY Acute appendicitis. ALI I heard.

ANGLE - THE TV DOCTOR ON TV The Prince is in excellent physical shape and I expect him to leave hospital later today or tomorrow. He’ll be up and on his feet in 72 hours and back to normal in a matter of weeks. VICKY How’s he doing? ALI I don’t know. I never got in to see him. VICKY What?!? You were there all night. ALI It was insane. You should have seen it. You know when he and I are together he’s like kind of normal and like you can forget once in a while who he is but this was like...it was a mega deal. Future King of England in the ER. Honestly, I don’t think they even told him I was there. Vicky turns, looks at Ali. Really?? 48.

TV REPORTER (from outside Hospital) That’s the latest on Prince James’s emergency appendectomy. The Queen is flying home this morning from Balmoral in Aberdeenshire to visit her grandson in hospital. Prime Minister David Cameron has been kept informed of the Prince’s situation and wishes him a very speedy recovery. VICKY (clicks off TV, turns to Ali) They didn’t tell him you were there?

INT. ALI’S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER Ali flops on her bed, looks over, sees James has left his sweater on the bed. She places it around her neck like a cozy scarf and shuts her eyes.

EXT. LONDON STREET - LATER THAT DAY Ali crosses a street, toward QUEEN ANNE’S HOSPITAL. Hundreds have lined up waving the Union flag and carrying flowers. The Press and paparazzi are everywhere. Ali takes a small bouquet out of her bag and attempts to get past the police barricade at the entrance but there’s no way she can get through. The Crowd begins to SCREAM and CHEER as James is escorted out in a wheel chair. Now standing near the front of the crowd, Ali looks a lot like all the others around her. James stops to wave as Reporters scream questions. REPORTER #1 Have you heard from The Queen? JAMES Yes, she rang today. REPORTER #2 Where were you when your appendix burst Your Highness? Some reports say you were on a date! JAMES Ah, sadly, I was not. Was watching football with friends. (waves, continuing on) 49.

Ali feels badly about this but gets it. ANGUS (to the crowd) Thank you all very much for coming out today. Your support is greatly appreciated. As James is wheeled away, he spots Ali in the crowd. She smiles at him expectantly. He looks right past her, as if he didn’t see her or know her. He smiles and waves to the crowd in general and then is helped out of the wheelchair and into the back of a Jaguar. Ali’s breath stops for a sec. The crowd rushes to follow the Jaguar as it drives out the gate. ANGLE - ALI’S HAND Her fingers release the flowers and they fall in slow motion, hit the ground and are trampled on.

INT. ALI’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Wearing PJ’s, Ali googles James’s Hospital Story, looking at the PHOTOS from this morning, over and over. She checks her e- mail on her iPhone. Nothing from James. Back to her laptop. VICKY Anything? (Ali shakes her head) Well I certainly hope you’re not googling him. ALI (indicating her laptop) I’m working. I do have a life. VICKY Okay, but if you google a guy for more than an hour you’re crossing into my territory which is not healthy but since he’s a Royal, you can google him up to 90 minutes but then you gotta pull the plug. (Ali closes her computer) Text me if you hear from him. (Ali nods) And remember, we do have a pub next door. 50.

INT. THE PUB NEXT DOOR - NIGHT An old school pub with customers having one for the road before heading home. Ali sits at the bar slightly isolated, staring into her almost empty martini glass. The Bartender sets down a fresh Martini with an olive on a toothpick, Ali fishes out the olive, adds it to two other olives on toothpicks. She wears her pajama top tucked in jeans with a trench over it. She checks her e-mail, then smiles awkwardly at the Guys sitting next to her then downs half of her martini.

BARTENDER Aren’t you the girl from next door that usually orders the chardonnay with ice? ALI That is correct. BARTENDER You should go easy then... ALI That’s not the plan my friend. Not tonight. BARTENDER You wearing your pajamas under your coat? ALI (laughs) No..! (he doubts her on this) Okay, whatever. Yes. I am in my pajamas and why I never thought of wearing them out before, I’ll never know. (admiring her outfit) How does this not work? (finishes her Martini) One last one. Who wants to buy me a drink..? (no one responds) Okay, it’s on me. I’m good with that. Put it on my tab.

INT. CNN - THE NEXT DAY Ali ENTERS in the same outfit, this time with sunglasses and a bit of a wobble to her walk. She drops a coffee on Hugh’s desk, plops down in her chair. 51.

G-CHAT FROM HUGH ????? ALI (types) Not talking about it. HUGH’S G-CHAT Okay, but are you aware that you seem to be wearing your pajamas? ALI (to herself) What’s everyone’s problem with this? Ali buttons up her trench, looks up and Hugh approaches her desk. ALI (exasperated) Are you getting anything from me that says I want to talk about it? Hugh high fives Ali, she high fives back and he walks away.

INT. JAPANESE RESTAURANT - THE NEXT NIGHT Ali and a few friends from work, including Hugh, sit at a round table in a crowded neighborhood place. Colin, a guy we’ve seen in the office, tells a story that’s making everyone crack up -- except for Ali who sneaks a peek at her iPhone. Hugh looks over at her.

INT. ALI’S PUB - ANOTHER NIGHT Ali approaches the bar, talks to the bartender. ALI Hey, hi, can I get a martini to go? It’s me the one who lives next door. I’ll bring the glass back. BARTENDER Um, that’s not legal.. ALI Yeah, but I didn’t feel like sitting here by myself, all sad, didn’t want to be that person if you know what I mean. DRUNK WOMAN NEXT TO HER Well, you’re quite the idiot aren’t you. 52.

ALI Yes, I am. Yes. Thank you for pointing that out. DRUNK WOMAN (laughs) Like you’re the first woman to ever get dumped. ALI Oh, God. Martini please. Venti size, if you can do that. I’ll drink it fast. Standing. Don’t want to sit. Just want to drink. (The Drunk woman turns to her) I’ll buy you a drink if you don’t talk to me. The Drunk Woman points to her drink indicating the Bartender should bring her another.

FULL SCREEN - A 1939 FILM, THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX - BEING RUN IN REVERSE The movie is on TV, it is being REWOUND, STOPPED, then PLAYED. Bette Davis is Queen Elizabeth in a love scene with Errol Flynn. ERROL FLYNN If things had been different and you simply a woman not a Queen and I a man with no crown between us, we'd have searched heaven and earth for two perfect lovers and ended the search with ourselves. ANGLE - ALI Watching from bed, wiping a tear, and rewinding again. “If things had been different and... It’s LATE MORNING and it’s RAINING outside. Ali moves a mixing bowl across the bed to catch the drops that leak from the ceiling. Her iPhone PINGS. She checks it. A TEXT from a number she doesn’t recognize. It says: Finally off pain pills. Hello! Ali rises quickly, nervously circling her bed, her eyes on the phone when it PINGS again. She looks at it. It says: Forgive me? Ali grabs her trench.

INT. RESTAURANT - AN HOUR LATER Ali sits with Hugh in this cozy Notting Hill cafe. 53.

HUGH So we’re gonna talk about it? ALI It’s a guy. Obviously. HUGH (a little hurt) Kinda figured. Since when? ALI Since I went to Edinburgh a few weeks ago. We met on the plane. Okay, I’m just gonna say it because you’re not going to believe this because it’s... actually it’s not believable. It’s somebody you’d never think you’d meet...ever...but I met him and I’ve been seeing him, a lot and I think I’ve fallen in love and now I know why I’ve avoided that for so long. It’s like out of body great when it’s good and happening but-- HUGH -- Miserable and demoralizing when it’s not. ALI (getting his message) I don’t want to be insensitive but I’d love you to let me talk to you as my only real friend here and not make this about... (indicates the two of them)

HUGH Okay, so who is this guy you’d never think you’d meet? Prince Alfie? (obviously joking) ALI Good guess. No. James. HUGH What James? ALI James - Alfie’s brother. I’m dating Prince James. (Hugh stares at her) I’m not kidding. I actually am. 54.

HUGH The heir to the heir of the throne? This is your boyfriend? The man who would be king. ALI Yes. Well was. Pretty much. And by the way, it’s not like I’m a girl who dreamt of one day marrying a Prince. I mean... Hardly! My parents would never even let me have a Bride doll or God-forbid a Princess doll. They were into like the Vet Barbie, the President Barbie, basically any Barbie in glasses, which even as a kid, I understood. This whole Prince thing actually goes against my entire way of... HUGH -- Wait! What?! I need to process this. (then) WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?! ALI I know it’s insane. (a little slower now) I met James, the Prince, on a plane, we’ve been seeing each other, he was with me, in my flat... HUGH -- Where I have never been invited. Ali throws her head down on the table. HUGH Go ahead. I apologize. ALI He was in my flat when he got the appendix attack. I got him help and off he went to the hospital and I went with his security guys... HUGH Just so you know, I’m dying from this story. ALI No, wait. It gets worse. HUGH Impossible. Go on. 55.

ALI Okay, so I’m in a car, following the ambulance, I get to the hospital but I can’t get in to see him. I figured he was on meds or something and couldn’t tell them to let me in, so I’m in the waiting room and then Jemima whatshername shows up and gets right in and she’s by the way, like 10 feet tall. You know those annoying really tall girls who still wear heels... HUGH -- Hold on, I don’t care about the other girl thing. ALI Okay. So I stayed in the waiting room of the ER all night, literally, never saw him, and then I went back the next day when I heard they were releasing him and... I stood in the crowd on the street... HUGH You’re dating him and you stood in the crowd? ALI Pathetic. I understand... So I’m standing in the crowd and he came out and he saw me, standing there with my sad little bouquet... HUGH Oh God. ALI And he looked at me like he didn’t even know me. No, it was worse than that. It was like he didn’t even see me --- except that he did. And that’s when the whole thing became crystal clear - that there’s beyond a world of difference between us and I wondered what on earth I was ever thinking. How could I have thought for one millisecond that this Royal dating a commoner thing was ever going to work? HUGH Foreign commoner. You might as well be from another planet. 56.

ALI I know. HUGH Ali, you’re very smart, you’re great but you’re a normal person from a normal family. We live by a different set of rules. It’s called reality. They just aren’t like us. Ali knows he’s right but something inside wishes he wasn’t. ALI I’m getting that. So... here’s where we are now. He’s basically ignored me since the night he got sick and I haven’t been handling it all that brilliantly and then he sends me a text. Like an hour ago. HUGH Can I see it? ALI Okay, but don’t look at his number. HUGH You think I’m going to prank call Prince James? (Ali shows him the text, he reads out loud) Finally off meds. Hello! Forgive me, question mark. (looks up) Not overly nice... ALI Correct. And no, “I’m sorry.” HUGH Entitled. Literally. How is he supposed to know what real behavior is? ALI Yeah, well, it’s confusing because a lot of the time he’s like super down to earth. (Hugh doubts that) He is! So what do you think? Do I forgive him or..? HUGH Would you forgive a regular guy for not being in touch for... how long? 57.

ALI Almost four days. No. Probably not. HUGH I mean, I get that he’s great looking and it’s probably crazy fun going out with him but is this feeling you’re having now one you want to have again ‘cause weirdness is going to happen if you date the future King of England. You gotta know that. ALI And just to cover everything going on in my mind right now, you’re not just saying that because that one time you and I... (Hugh rolls his eyes) I just want to be sure you’re not saying this because of how you maybe feel...about me. HUGH I am saying this because of how I feel about you. I care about you and I don’t want to see you get wiped out by this guy. You think I like seeing you in your pajamas at work? Being in love is not supposed to reduce you to that. ALI I know. So you think I should write back what? HUGH I wouldn’t write back ‘til tomorrow but I know you’ll never do that so maybe you tell him you need a break or something. That’ll probably get him to marry you, of course... but maybe that’s what you want. ALI Yeah, right. (thinks about it) Well, if you ask me, he ended it by not calling me sooner. I don’t care if he is on pain killers. And texting is lame after all this. HUGH Agree. (Ali nods) So... 58.

ALI Yeah. Okay. Moving on. (the reality of this hits) So what time is it? Are we eating lunch or breakfast?

INT. CNN OFFICES - ANOTHER DAY Ali sits in a crowded staff meeting, run by Jillian. She takes notes on her laptop. CNN FOOTAGE behind Jillian shows James, walking on a cane and greeting some school children. Ali tries not to look.

INT. LONDON GYM - NIGHT Ali runs on a treadmill watching Seinfeld. Next to her on all 8 TV’s in her row is identical footage of James stepping out of a helicopter, still on a cane. She can’t get a break.

EXT. PARK - DAY Ali eats her take-away salad on a bench in this charming, little park. A sheet of Newspaper blows by her, stopping at her feet. Ali glances down and sees a PHOTO of JAMES ON A YACHT, soaking up the sun. ALI Seriously? Ali picks up the paper, looks closer to see he’s joined by a few friends including the stunning Jemima, and several other bikini clad girls. The HEADLINE: RECUPERATING IN IBIZA. It begins to rain. Ali puts the paper over her head.

INT. ALI’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Ali and a group of Friends including Hugh, Colin, Vicky and a few others from work are playing TABOO and sharing a few bottles of wine. Ali finally seems more like her old self. There’s a KNOCK on the DOOR. ALI Pizza! Hugh, closest to the door, opens it to find James in a black baseball cap. It’s not brightly lit and Hugh doesn’t recognize him. HUGH Pizza delivery? 59.

JAMES (looking up) Uh, no. Sorry. HUGH (realizing who he is!) No, no, I’m sorry. Oh shit. You’re obviously very clearly who you are... JAMES Yeah. It’s me. HUGH (bows stiffly from his neck) Your highness. I’m ridiculously sorry. JAMES Not a problem. Sorry to disturb, I’m looking for Ali. Is she in? Ali joins Hugh at the door, stunned to see James. James softens when he sees her. JAMES Hi... ALI Hi... That goes on for a second then Ali snaps out of it first. ALI Um, this is my friend, Hugh Browning. (the Guys shake, acknowledging they sort of just met) Uh...come in. JAMES (ENTERS, whispering to Ali) Sorry to show up unannounced but I thought you might not see me otherwise. You look great. Ali points out her friends in the Living Room who are all staring in disbelief. James takes off his baseball cap. One of the girls swoons. VICKY Returning to the scene of the crime, eh! Welcome back, P.James. 60.

Vicky gives James a big hug. ALI James, this is Iris, Kate, and Colin. We all work together. Everyone this is his Royal High-- JAMES James is fine. The Girls curtsey badly and Colin bows, awkwardly. JAMES Good to meet you. ALI We were just playing Taboo. It’s a game. JAMES Yes, I’ve heard of it. Ali’s friends are freaking out but trying not to show it. JAMES Is it possible I could speak to you for a few minutes? Ali hesitates. VICKY We’ll go in my room, you two take as long as you need. Vicky pats James on his shoulder as she passes him. Colin, Kate and Iris pick up their phones and drinks. JAMES Sorry to interrupt. KATE No, no. Lovely to meet you James. The Girls exchange looks with Ali. They’re dying. As soon Ali and James are alone -- ALI -- I never mentioned you to anybody when we were seeing each other but I may have mentioned you once we weren’t seeing each other... JAMES It’s fine. It’s really great to see you again. (Ali waits) I’ve uh, come to attempt to fix (MORE) 61. JAMES (CONT'D) what’s happened between us. (she doesn’t give) I’ve gone over this for weeks now, so would it be okay if I just say how it all went down on my side?

ANGLE - OUTSIDE VICKY’S ROOM The Friends listen at the door which is open a crack. VICKY Yes!

BACK TO JAMES AND ALI JAMES I made massive errors in judgement. Pretty much from the moment I was carted out of here. And once I got to hospital, I was overwhelmed with all the doctors, my Dad, his staff... they had people in my room twenty-four-seven. I didn’t want to implicate you or give you the wrong kind of notoriety by saying I was with you so that’s why you didn’t hear from me. And I didn’t know you were in the waiting room all night until much later. (Ali nods...) And then when I left and saw you in the crowd... (Ali waits) I froze. And that was dreadful of me. I didn’t know what to do Ali. I’ve learned my whole life never to show my true emotions in public.

ANGLE - VICKY - TEARING UP VICKY So true... JAMES AND ALI JAMES And then I was embarrassed by that. Ashamed actually. (Ali listens, not really bending) Then back home it was ‘round the clock nurses and visitors then I wrote you and you never wrote back and I realized how angry you were (MORE) 62. JAMES (CONT'D) and then I felt hurt... (Ali’s expression says - YOU were hurt???) I know. I had no right to be hurt. But I’m a Prince, Ali... let’s state the obvious - it jades my thinking. ANGLE - HUGH At the door. He nods. JAMES But I’m also a 28 year old guy who screwed up and missed his girl. You can’t imagine how many times I checked my phone waiting to hear from you. It’s nearly impossible to have a normal relationship with a girl when you’re me so I began to think maybe you were better off. Spared. So I let it go or tried to. But then I realized I was feeling something rather unusual... took me a bit but I figured out what it was... I was and am broken hearted. And here’s the lesson learned -- I don’t think I ever want to be without you again - ever. O.S. We hear a WAIL coming from Vicky crying. Ali is a bit overwhelmed, trying very hard not to just rush to him. ALI Wait, hold on. You left out the part about the yacht in Ibiza with all the girls. Jemima and.. JAMES Yes. How’d I omit that one? ALI I dunno. JAMES My school chums seeing the state I was in, put that together. I didn’t even know who was going to be there until I arrived. Another screw up. Had a miserable time. Ali, I hope you’ll let me right these wrongs and very much hope, actually desperately hope, you still want to see me. Ali doesn’t say anything. 63.

ANGLE - VICKY AND THE OTHERS - IN LOVE KATE Best apology EVER!!! BACK TO ALI AND JAMES He waits. She’s frozen. JAMES Okay. Well. Thank you for letting me at least... ALI -- Can I think about all this? HER FRIENDS REACT -- Whattt???? James nods. He’s surprised his speech didn’t work. Looks at her, just to be sure. ALI Yeah, I just need to replay all of this a few thousand times and see if I keep getting the same answer. JAMES I don’t exactly understand what that means but okay. Then, I’ll wait to hear from you. Ali nods. James crosses to her, kisses her on the cheek, puts his baseball cap back on and EXITS THE FLAT. Ali stands alone for a sec trying to understand all that just happened when Vicky, Hugh, Iris, Kate and Colin rush to her. ALI I just thought I should-- EVERYONE (all at the same time) -- You’re nuts! You let him go? What more could he have said? COLIN He’s dreamy. Okay? I’m straight and I’m telling you -- dreamy! ALI I know. But let’s be realistic. He’s going to be King... I’m an assistant at CNN. Where can it all - EVERYONE Find out! He’s in love with you. Just go!!! 64.

She hesitates. Vicky SCREAMS.

EXT. FLAT - NIGHT Ali rushes down the stairs to the street below. The line of Range Rovers is half way down the block but they have a red light ahead, so they’re not going too fast. Ali runs, reaches the last Range Rover, knocks on the window. James rolls down the window. ALI (out of breath) Look, it’s just that you live in very rarified air, James and I’m here on the ground and I know me, I can’t ever be treated like that again. (James gets out, takes Ali to the sidewalk) If I’m somebody to you then I can’t also be a face in the crowd. JAMES Never again Ali. You have my word. ALI James, I expect a lot. Probably more than you realize. It’s the way I was raised. Not a lot in terms of money or any of that... but in... everything else. And, honestly, you have issues no one else on the planet has. It’s hard to know the rules. I don’t want to get... (stops herself, James nods for her to go on) Swallowed up. I’m just getting my life started and... JAMES I understand and I won’t let that happen. ALI And I don’t understand the boy/girl rules for regular people so how can I understand it on this level? The whole Royalty thing - it’s like, it’s so far over my head. JAMES I get it. I’m in the bubble but I get it. We’ll figure it out together and we’ll make our own rules. I promise you. (she hugs him, he holds her tight, relieved) (MORE) 65. JAMES (CONT'D) Will you go to something with me this weekend? ALI I don’t know. JAMES Just say yes Ali. ALI Okay. Yes. JAMES Thank you. My father is hosting a charity event at Clarence House and it’s a big deal to him, lots of people will be there and I want you to come with me. As my date... and meet my Dad. ALI The two of us, in public? JAMES Yes. Which could change your life in ways you won’t like. Guaranteed lack of privacy after that, friends will come out of the woodwork, photographers may chase you... ALI -- All that from one date? JAMES Did you hear the bit about me never wanting to be without you - ever again? ALI I wasn’t sure what that meant. JAMES It means, I, James Edgar Phillip Charles, never want to be without you. Ever. Again. Ali moves closer to him. He pulls her in and they kiss and then kiss again. Ali opens her eyes and sees Simon and some of the other Royal Protection Police now surrounding them. JAMES (softly to her) Close your eyes and they all go away. VERY CLOSE ON Ali as she leans in for another kiss, CLOSES HER EYES and the SCREEN GOES BLACK. 66.

EXT. CLARENCE HOUSE - A FEW NIGHTS LATER A MOVING POV through the enormous gates of The official London residence of Prince George and Princes James and Alfie. It’s not as imposing as say, Buckingham Palace but it’s probably bigger than any other home in all of London. The way it lights up the night is simply spectacular. We are:

INT. JAGUAR - MOVING - NIGHT Ali sits in the backseat alone, taking it all in.

EXT. CLARENCE HOUSE The Press is cordoned off behind a velvet rope. A line of Bentleys, Mercedes and Rolls Royces wait in a motor court. The Jaguar pulls to a stop, a DOORMAN opens the back door and Ali steps out. She looks fantastic. As she approaches the entrance to Clarence House she takes a very deep breath.

INT. CLARENCE HOUSE ENTRY - EVENING Airport type security mixed with priceless art and antiques. Ali approaches the Check In Table with Guards posted at either end. An elegant Couple is in line in front of her. HUSBAND Lady Eliza and Viscount Althorp. As they’re handed their card for entry, Ali steps up. ALI Alexandra Padget. Simon appears from behind the Check In table, smiles at Ali. SIMON Follow me please... (Ali joins him) You look smashing. ALI Thank you Simon. Simon escorts Ali past Uniformed Guards, down a hallway, past more Guards and INTO AN ELEVATOR which he opens with a pass- code. ALI A lot of security. (Simon nods, then to herself) Obviously... 67.

INT. PRIVATE HALLWAY - UPSTAIRS AT CLARENCE HOUSE Simon and Ali step off the elevator. The Royal Protection Police guard either end of the corridor. Simon nods to an Officer who opens an ornate door which leads them into: JAMES’S PRIVATE ENTRY - NIGHT James has an entire wing of Clarence House. Several staffers mill about, including Angus. ANGUS Good evening Miss Padget. Come with me please. His Royal Highness is expecting you. Angus leads Ali to a PAIR OF PANELED DOORS which open into: JAMES’S LIVING ROOM Fantastic in every way. The rarest of antiques mix with more modern pieces. It’s every bit just like James - royal and real at the same time. James, in the perfectly tailored tuxedo, is conferring with his Press Secretary and Engagement Secretary when he sees Ali. He lights up. ALI I made it! JAMES (crosses to her, kissing her on the cheek) You look beautiful. Ali Padget, my Press Secretary Rex Foster, my Engagement Secretary, Emma Davidson. They shake Ali’s hand and gracefully step into another room. ALI (whispers) Wow. You have a press secretary. JAMES For twenty-one years now. He’s pretty indispensable. ALI You’ve had a press secretary since you were seven? JAMES It wasn’t a great job for him in the beginning. We dropped a lot of water balloons off the roof together. What can I get you to (MORE) 68. JAMES (CONT'D) drink? By the way - Wow - that dress! ALI Thank you. Just maybe some water. James pours Ali water from a beautiful sterling pitcher. The opulence of James’s reality is startling. ALI I don’t know why it surprises me that you live like this. JAMES Yeah, but we also have creaky floor boards and leaky ceilings. (then) So glad you’re here. He takes her hand. Rex, James’s press secretary re-enters, carrying a typed page. REX Here you go, Sir. We made your revisions. JAMES (to Ali) Sorry... this’ll just take a sec. As James quickly proofs his speech, Ali looks around the room. Fantastic paintings hang next to graphic black and white photos. Velvet furniture with modern touches. And of course, family photos of the most famous family in the world. JAMES (to Rex) This is fine and I’ll just wing it a bit a long the way. REX Excellent, Sir. A dark suited Equerry, TOM, enters with a bow. TOM May I go over the suggested route into the ballroom, Sir. James takes Ali’s hand and leads her into THE STUDY where a floor plan of Clarence House sits on an easel. TOM You’ll be taken down the elevator, Sir and into the Main Hallway where you will greet the Princess Royal. 69.

JAMES (to Ali) My Aunt. She’s nuts and usually... (indicates “drunk”) TOM You will wait 90 seconds then turn to your right and at approximately 7:45 you will be announced, trumpets will trumpet, you will be led into the Queen Mother’s Ballroom and wait on the red carpet until the first bit of the National Anthem at which point you will then move directly into the center of the room. JAMES So you want me to go downstairs, say hi to Aunt Meg, wait, get announced and go into the party. TOM Well done, Sir. JAMES Can you ring the elevator, we’ll meet you there in a sec. James leads Ali INTO A POWDER ROOM. He shuts the door. JAMES You okay? ALI (tentatively) Yeah. JAMES It’s not all too weird? ALI Shut up. It’s amazing. And you do it all so well. JAMES Yes, I do know how to walk into a room in my own house, especially once I’m given direction. Ready? ALI God no. CUT TO: 70.

PALATIAL DOORS OPENING into a packed BALLROOM As James and Ali are introduced. MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Alexandra Padget. James and Ali walk through the CROWDED BALLROOM. Everyone is dying to know who she is. Ali does her best to hold it together. JAMES Didn’t mention you were going to be introduced, didn’t want to freak you out. ALI Too late for that. JAMES Okay, you’re about to meet my Dad. ANGLE - PRINCE GEORGE Just ahead. He wears a kilt and doesn’t see them coming yet.

JAMES AND ALI Crossing toward him. JAMES You call him Your Royal Highness, then Sir. You don’t have to curtsey unless you want to. Wait for him to shake your hand first then shake it briefly and not too hard and always and I mean always, laugh at his jokes. (they arrive) Dad! ALI (under her breath) Ohmygod. JAMES I want you to meet someone very special. Father, this is Alexandra Padget. Miraculously, Ali does everything right. She waits for the handshake, shakes but not too firmly. 71.

PRINCE GEORGE (to Ali) And how is it we have not yet met? Ali cracks up. Prince George is confused. ALI I’m sorry, I thought you were making a joke. PRINCE GEORGE Oh, he told you to laugh at my jokes. ALI No. No. No, he did not. Mention that. PRINCE GEORGE You’re an American? ALI Yes, Sir. I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. PRINCE GEORGE Oh, I’ve been there twice. Visited your wonderful art museum. So, hope you’re here legally Miss Padget... ALI Oh, I am. Definitely. JAMES Ah, see - now, that was the joke. PRINCE GEORGE You’ll get the next one. ALI Hope so. JAMES Missed that one too. ALI (to herself) Oh, fuck. PRINCE GEORGE Precisely. Prince George smiles at Ali when a fussy looking Couple join and his attention is taken away. Rex approaches James. 72.

JAMES Time for my speech. (to Ali) Don’t leave me now... James takes Ali’s hand and they immediately both hear the SNAPPING of a CELL PHONE CAMERA. They turn. Hear it again. SNAP. And a QUICK FREEZE FRAME of the hand-holding couple. The Young Woman who has just taken their picture disappears into the crowd. JAMES And so it begins.

INT. BALLROOM - A BIT LATER James is wrapping up his speech. He’s very natural and loose at public speaking. The audience is eating him up. Ali watches with Angus near the front of the crowd. JAMES (at a podium) I’m not sure why the mere presence of my father could get so many of you to write such very large checks... but on behalf of my brother who was supposed to be here tonight... (giggles around the room) Yes, he went out one evening a few weeks ago, said he was going to a gentleman’s club to get what I thought he said was a tap dance, but ...well, we haven’t seen or heard from him since. (the Crowd laughs) Anyway, on behalf of my missing younger brother and myself, we do so appreciate your donations and of course so do the children who will benefit so magnificently from your generosity. Have great fun tonight and thank you. Big applause. James looks right at Ali. She smiles up at him.

INT. CLARENCE HOUSE - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER James quickly leads Ali out of the Ballroom and down a red and regal hallway. JAMES (almost running) Gotta make a quick getaway after a (MORE) 73. JAMES (CONT'D) joke like that. Want a speed tour of the house? If we go quickly, no one will follow us. They rush down the enormous corridor. JAMES (very quickly) The house was built in 1820 for the Duke of Clarence who later lived here as King William IV. My grandparents lived here when they first got married. The Queen Mother lived here until the day she died. That’s the Morning Room. We used to play wiffle ball in there in the winter. Library’s on your left - we only go in there to have our official photos taken. The Lancaster Room... Had my first kiss in there. Lovely. The Dining Room... the table seats a cozy 60. They sat me next to David Beckham in there when I was fourteen. Best night of my life. Down those steps is the wine cellar. Very musty and this... (he finally stops) --is the elevator to my apartment. Ali hits the UP button. James smiles.

INT. JAMES’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER James closes the large doors to his apartment saying good night to his Staff. He turns, sees Ali looking at the buffet that’s been set out for them. The lights are low and they’re finally alone. JAMES I may have mentioned we might return for a drink. ALI And they knew I like Milano cookies?? JAMES Yeah. I may have mentioned that since I’ve seen them in every room of your flat...and in your purse and... Ali smiles. James smiles. They are across the room from one another but the moment is ripe. 74.

ALI This is it right? Feels like it’s time for us to finally... James nods. Ali nods. Taking his cue, James picks up the iPod remote -- AIMS it, CLICKS it and we hear the opening strains of I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas). James walks closer...and closer. ALI Oh, no...!!! You’re not... James takes off his tux jacket, like an elegant Chippendales dancer -- then unties his tie as he dances toward her and he’s GREAT! She’s dying, dancing toward him and as the song kicks in, they start singing it together while dancing around the room. “I gotta a feeling. That tonight’s gonna be a good night. That tonight’s gonna be a good good night.” And as they get close, dancing, singing and being loose and sexy, they sing, “Let’s live it up, Let’s get it on” and James belts out, “Fill up my cup. Mazel Tov...” ALI (pointing to James) He said Mazel Tov!!!! These two couldn’t be any happier.

INT. BEDROOM - ABSOLUTELY QUIET NOW Moonlit. Ali’s head and bare shoulders come INTO FRAME and rest on the bed. James, ENTERS on top of her, kissing her. JAMES You’re so beautiful. (kisses her) Ali, I love you. Ali stops -- wasn’t expecting that. JAMES (CONT’D) And I’m not just saying that to-- ALI I love you too. (to herself) Never said that before. James kisses her deeply. Just as things get heated, he stops. JAMES Before we go any further I just want to say that it’s possible you might have built this up in your (MORE) 75. JAMES (CONT'D) head, but just want to go on record as saying sex with a Prince isn’t any different than sex with any other guy, if anything it’s probably slightly more under- whelming...just so you’re-- ALI Got it James. Now you need to stop talking.

INT. JAMES BEDROOM - 6 AM Ali is awake in James’s arms. She turns, looks at her Prince.

INT. LIVING ROOM - A MOMENT LATER Ali, in James’s robe, crosses through the elegant room. It’s even prettier in the morning. Huge vases of white roses - were they there last night? It’s all still so remarkable to her. She crosses to James’s desk, sees his very detailed, printed schedule. First thing on his agenda at 6:15 is to -- “arise”. It actually says that. Ali laughs then it goes from there - hour by hour and then she thumbs through and sees it’s day by day, week after week, month after month. BUTLER’S VOICE May I help you with something, Miss Padget. ALI (jumps) Oh. Hi. BUTLER Some breakfast perhaps? ALI Yeah. Sure. Thank you. BUTLER In his Royal Highness’s bedroom? ALI Uh, yeah, that would be great, I guess. And maybe something for his...Royal Highness as well. BUTLER Yes, ma’am. ALI This is all so Downton Abbey. Gotta be your favorite show, right? 76.

BUTLER I’ve never seen it ma’am. ALI Well, you should Netflix it -- It’s great. The Butler’s are the best... (the Butler nods) I think I have you confused with room service. You’re not supposed to chat back, are you? BUTLER No, ma’am. ALI Very sorry. Carry on. The Butler bows, turns, disappears. ALI (to herself) Carry on?!

INT. JAMES’S BEDROOM - SECONDS LATER Ali slips in, jumps back in the bed. James stirs. ALI I just ordered us breakfast. Are these guys always just waiting around corners. JAMES Pretty much. (looks at her...) So you’re an early riser. ALI My favorite part of the day. James unties the belt on her robe and it falls open. JAMES (looks at her) I’m starting to like this time of day myself... And as they begin to make love, we: CUT TO: NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE GLOBE All with the same PHOTO OF ALI AND JAMES holding hands at the party last night with the same HEADLINE in every language. QUI EST-ELLE? ¿QUIÉN ES ELLA? WER IST SIE? 77.

ON THIS MORNING’S TELEGRAPH Same photo, same headline -- WHO IS SHE? INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - THE QUEEN’S STUDY - MORNING The paper is being read by QUEEN ANNE II. Mid-eighties, white haired, glasses, impeccable blue dress and even at eighty-something a peaches and cream complexion. She puts the paper down, slips off her glasses. QUEEN ANNE So... what is the answer? Who is she? And across from her, we find her Personal Secretary of many years, RONNIE FELLOWES. Ronnie nods to Arthur who crosses to the Sovereign, opens a file and places it in front of her.

INT. JAGUAR - MOVING - SAME TIME Ali is in the backseat, being driven home. Her iPhone PINGS and then PINGS again and again and again and again. Ali opens her bag, digs out her phone and sees she has over 200 e-mails with subjects like -- WHAT???? OMG ALI!!!! NO WAY!!!! WTF!!! REMEMBER ME? And that’s nothing. As they pull up in front of Ali’s flat:

AT LEAST FIFTY PAPARAZZI rush the car FLASHBULBS popping. ALI Oh, God, what do I do? DRIVER Walk, don’t run and don’t say a word.

EXT. FLAT Ali gets out of the car in last night’s dress. The flashing is constant and the inane questions don’t quit. Ali can’t find a way through. She’s trying not to react but the flashes are blinding. The FRONT DOOR of her flat OPENS and Vicky, in full protection mode storms the crowd, pushes her way to Ali, puts her arm around her and powers her way back, yelling for the paps to piss off along the way. 78.

INT. FLAT - MOMENTS LATER The curtains are drawn. Vicky is overwhelmed to say the least. VICKY It started at six this morning. ALI You’re kidding? VICKY Yeah, you’re basically the most famous person in the last twenty- four hours. You’re on every front page, every blog, twitter, tumblr, instagram, you name it, you’re on it. ALI I had no idea. You’re in a bit of a parallel universe over there. Well, what are they saying? Horrible stuff? VICKY Everyone is jealous. Just know that. (Ali fears hearing the rest) It’s not like Heather McCartney horrible. They’re saying you looked a little anorexic, but they liked your hair but thought you needed bangs -- (Ali plays with the front of her hair) -- they said your purse looked cheap but your heels looked expensive, your make-up was pretty but you need a tan, which is true, and everyone, and I mean everyone was wondering if you spent the night but now that you're back doing the walk of shame thing, pretty much the whole world knows you shagged the Gentleman Prince. So... was he a gentleman? ALI The whole night was so fun. VICKY You’re the belle of the ball and it was “fun?” God, Ali, you are such an American sometimes. (her Phone BEEPS) I put a Google alert on your name (MORE) 79. VICKY (CONT'D) which was a terrible idea because my phone has been non-stop. (her phone beeps) Oh, and your dress? Top Shop sold out of it on-line by midnight last night. The dress is now called, “The Ali”. Impossible to get. ALI You’re kidding me. VICKY Everyone wants to know who you are and where you came from. So, if you want to do one interview, just to get it over with, I will do it for you. I will. ALI Vicky, I am not doing an interview. VICKY Had to put it out there. My producer asked me to ask you. Forget it. Oh -- and your parents and your sister called about five times. Each. ALI It’s 3:30 in the morning in Philadelphia. VICKY But the photos broke 8 hours ago. CUT TO:

ALI’S MOTHER AND SISTER ON SKYPE Ali’s Mom, STACEY, is in her late fifties, wears black glasses, striped pajamas, sleeves rolled and looks wide awake at 3:30. Even in her pj’s, she seems a bit formidable. HARPER, Ali’s slightly older sister, is in a sweatshirt and pj bottoms. From what we can see behind them, the house seems to have a lot of books and black and white photography. STACEY AND HARPER (at the same time) How could you not tell us about this?!?! How’d you meet? When did it start? Tell us everything!! ALI I was going to tell you about it today. 80.

STACEY Well, the Huffington Post beat you to it, honey. Huge photo! They say James hasn’t held anyone’s hand in public ever. Our phone hasn’t stopped. Is it serious? ALI I think it is. They’re in shock. Ali’s sister is freaking. HARPER Ali, how did this happen? I need to hear everything. ALI We met on an Easy Jet flight. STACEY Noooo. HARPER Who has that kind of luck? Was he like in the seat next to you? ALI Yeah. It was crazy.

STACEY Mind boggling. Are you okay, Al? How are you handling all of this? ALI (starts to well up) It’s a lot. It’s complicated. STACEY Honey, I think I should come there. ALI No, Mom, not yet. I’m okay. I mean I know I don’t look it but I’m actually incredibly happy but he is who he is and seeing you... (wiping her tears) I miss you. It’s a big thing -- his world. Ali’s Father, BILLY, ENTERS and squeezes in between the Girls. Billy wears a robe over a T-shirt and pj bottoms. Billy’s a youthful 60 year old, carrying a Smart Water. ALI Hey Dad. 81.

BILLY Honey, hi. Sorry, I was sleeping. Is everything we’re reading true? I mean, this is pretty wild. HARPER (to her Dad) Yes, it’s serious! BILLY (to Ali) Really? It’s serious? HARPER Ali, am I going to be like wearing some crazy-looking hat at your wedding any time soon? OhmyGod. Can you be the Queen of England? (turns to her parents) Is that possible? Could she? (to Ali) If I ever have to curtsy to you... ALI OhmyGod, hold on. We’ve only been dating for like a month. But he is pretty amazing and I think you’re gonna love him. (looks at her parents doubtful faces) Even if he is a Prince. BILLY So how does that work -- dating Royalty? What’s that like? Have you met the family? ALI Some of them. He’s a good guy and really smart, I want you to know that but he is the future King of England so there’s stuff... Can you believe I’m saying these words -- future King of England BILLY AND STACEY TOGETHER No... ALI I know, it’s like... how did this happen? It’s not like dating someone who’s normal... there’s a way of thinking and there’s a way he was raised... and day to day it’s like 24 hour protection, a huge staff. He lives like a Prince ... has butlers... But he’s also a person with real feelings who’s (MORE) 82. ALI (CONT'D) funny and sweet... (Harper moans) His brother’s everything you’d expect and the father I met for two seconds - he’s pretty hard to read. I couldn’t tell if he liked me. STACEY What’s not to like? HARPER She’s dating the future King of England and I’m on OKCupid. I mean... ALI Guys, believe it or not I gotta go to work, we can talk more later, but do me a favor -- don’t talk to any press or anything. STACEY We wouldn’t. Ever. And Ali, just give us the word and we’ll come right over. Take it easy with all this, okay? This is a lot to figure out. You still have your job to focus on so don’t let this... ALI I know. I won’t. BILLY Yeah, take it slow Al. A month is not a long time and he’s still just a guy. Anyway, that crazy family should be so lucky to get you. ALI Dad! BILLY I’m just saying. You’re the catch. ALI Okay, Dad, right. BILLY Love you, m’lady. ALI (rolls her eyes) Love you too. 83.

STACEY (to Billy) Oh my God. I don’t know how I feel about this. I’m worried. ALI Mom, I can still see you. STACEY I’m sorry honey, I thought we said good bye. I’m not that worried. It’s just the Royal, celebrity thing. It’s weird. ALI It is. But I’m not a celebrity. He is. HARPER Clearly you have not been on-line.

INT. FLAT - A LITTLE LATER Ali ENTERS the Living Room, showered and changed. She’s surprised to find Hugh talking to Vicky. ALI Hi! HUGH I came to take you to work because you will never get out of here on your own. ALI They’re still out there? Vicky OPENS THE CURTAINS and FLASHBULBS go off like firecrackers.

EXT. FIRE ESCAPE - MOMENTS LATER Hugh and Ali climb down the fire escape. It’s not easy. HUGH You like this, Al, ‘cause this is going to be your life if you stay with this guy - who, by the way, I liked...but this is not cool. ALI They’ll get bored with me. 84.

HUGH (stops to tell her) Ali, the goings on of the Royal Family is a big fat soap opera that the whole world is addicted to, and you, my dear, are the newest cast member. They will never bore of you. They reach the ground. HUGH -- So I guess you two are formally back together. (Ali nods) So what does he have that I don’t have? (Ali’s eyes widen) Okay. Whatever... The Paparazzi spots them. Hugh grabs Ali’s hand, runs with her as he beeps his car open.

INT. CNN OFFICES - DAY Ali and Hugh ENTER. To say ALL EYES are on Ali is an understatement. A few Girls applaud her, one bows down to her. She handles it well, with a nod and a tight laugh. Ali takes a seat at her desk, turns on her computer and HER PHOTO comes up on her CNN home page. It’s a photo from this morning as she was trying to get to her flat. Headline: SHE SPENT THE NIGHT!!! ALI Oh, Jesus... Jillian sticks her head out of her office. JILLIAN Ali?

INT. JILLIAN’S OFFICE Ali ENTERS as Jillian crosses back to her desk: JILLIAN I have a feeling the Pakistan Ambassador’s going to cancel tomorrow after the senate vote. Here’s a list of other possible interviews we could do. Can you start tracking them down, see who’s here and who’s available? 85.

ALI Absolutely. (waits for the other shoe to drop) Anything else? JILLIAN That’s it. Ali knows she knows. As Ali is about to say something... JILLIAN Let me know how that goes.

INT. BUS - MOVING - THAT NIGHT Ali sits in the back of the bus, reading. She looks up, sees everyone on the bus is staring at her. Many are taking her picture. She self-consciously fixes her hair. WOMAN ON THE BUS Ali, tell James we love him but ask him why he can’t fancy a British bird? ALI Sure. I will. As Ali walks to the front of the bus, CAMERA STAYS ON HER FACE as she hears the constant snapping of cell phones. She closes her eyes and once again the screen goes BLACK. Over, we hear her name being SHOUTED over and over...

A SERIES OF MOMENTS - CAUGHT BY THE PAPARAZZI James and Ali WALKING DOWN BOND STREET. At first they look like they could be alone, then we WIDEN to see the Paparazzi literally surrounding them -- as far as we can see. A few nights later, Ali and James are GETTING INTO THE BACKSEAT of the Range Rover. FLASHES light up the NIGHT! AT THE POLO FIELD, ALI HUGS JAMES in his polo uniform. SNAP! On a RED CARPET, the paparazzi goes crazy. Ali can’t help but laugh. James, Ali and Vicky DANCING AT BOUJIS. Vicky dances like a wild woman. CELL PHONES SNAP AWAY. Ali LEAVING WORK and her DRESS FLIES UP in the wind ala Marilyn. The Paps go crazy. The Photo is on the cover of The Daily Mail. HEADLINE: ALI OOPS! 86.

James and Ali IN THE BLEACHERS at a Tennis Match. The TV Cameras find them. ALI’S FAMILY is watching the tennis match in Philadelphia and all SCREAM when she comes on TV. Ali and Jillian try to ENTER THE CNN BUILDING, but the FLASHES are blinding. Security Guards escort them inside. The images go faster now. PAPARAZZI SHOTS of Ali, CARRYING BAGS HOME FROM THE MARKET and trying to scoot around the Paparazzi. James EXITING ALI’S FLAT in dark glasses and a cap. Ali LEAVING THE GYM, shielding her face with her purse. Ali GETTING OUT OF A TAXI in a short dress, caught at a moment that shows too much thigh. SNAP! Ali and James try to leave a restaurant but they’re swarmed. James, HOLDS UP HIS HAND to get the paps away, Ali holds his hand, hiding behind him. Relentless.

EXT. VEGETABLE GARDEN - CLARENCE HOUSE - SOME DAYS LATER Prince George tends to his vegetables with a small gardening crew. A shadow falls over him. He looks up to find Arthur, his Mother’s Communications Secretary. GEORGE Arthur, in the vegetable garden. Why is that so worrisome?

EXT. GARDENS - MOMENTS LATER George and Arthur stroll through the meticulously maintained palace gardens. GEORGE See this Acacia? It’s almost two hundred years old. We thought we were going to lose her last year. ARTHUR The gardens look spectacular, Your Highness. GEORGE So what is it, Arthur? I know you do not have a great appreciation for the outdoors. ARTHUR It seems Prince James’s new companion is causing a bit of a stir in the press and I believe in the nation. Public opinion does not seem in favor of this, Sir. 87.

GEORGE I’ve heard some comments on chat shows about her being an American but you’re not taking this all that seriously are you? ARTHUR It seems James is taking her quite seriously, Sir, so, yes, I am. GEORGE And the Queen? ARTHUR Is concerned. Both your marriage to the Duchess of Wales and Her Royal Highness’s marriage to your father, were historically extremely tidy. All eyes are on James now and her Majesty believes his selection must be well-positioned to maintain the public’s support for the family especially when there are rumbles that the monarchy has... perhaps lost some of its relevance. GEORGE Have you considered this being to our benefit, Arthur? That James’s choice of an American could give Britain a more modern view of the world -- strengthen our popularity abroad. ARTHUR At the expense of our own people who support the monarchy at a cost of 290 million pounds a year? Hardly seems the direction one should take, Your Highness. GEORGE Oh, come on, Arthur, you can’t honestly believe this relationship threatens the monarchy. Given the divorces, the scandals, the exes who have disgraced us, the children who have embarrassed us... ARTHUR All of those were in-house, so to speak. And frankly, Sir, Her Majesty does not want to see the public turning on the monarchy before James has had his chance to begin his reign. One would hope the recipient of James’s hand would show the modern face of Britain and (MORE) 88. ARTHUR (CONT'D) the future of the Empire. I don’t need to tell you how staunchly Her Majesty believes the Monarchy must show continuity and stability above all else. GEORGE No you do not. None of this is lost on George.

AN RAF HELICOPTER - ABOVE THE SKIES OF LONDON The Chinook flies over the city, making a swooping turn to the West.

INT. HELICOPTER - UP IN THE AIR - SAME TIME Ali, buckled into the passenger seat, James, behind the wheel. Ali, looking scared, holding on for dear life as the chopper glides on an angle. ALI You definitely know how to fly this, right? James? This isn’t my birthday surprise? That you’re flying a helicopter for the first time alone... JAMES Ali, google me sometime. I’m a Flight Lieutenant with The Royal Air Force trained in search and rescue missions. I think I can get us to Northern Wales. ALI Oh. That’s where we’re going? Northern Wales? James smiles, slips on his aviators, he’s not telling her anything else.

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NORTH WALES - HELICOPTER SHOT - DAY A Land Rover drives a windy road in Northern Wales and comes to a stop at the base of a rolling green field complete with a flock of sheep. Ali and James get out of the car. It’s clear Ali doesn’t know where she is. A beautiful STONE COTTAGE sits nestled between the hills, which seem to protect the cottage from the rest of the world. 89.

ALI I think this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. James is clearly happy to hear that. ALI (spots the cottage) Oh, man, look at that. JAMES Thought this would be a good spot to give you your present. James feels around his various pockets, finally producing a SMALL BOX that can only hold one thing. ALI Really? JAMES Hope it suits you... Ali slowly opens the box and is surprised to find A KEY. ALI A key? What’s it the key to? JAMES (indicating the house) Your new cottage... ALI No! James! JAMES Someplace for you to escape when life with me is too horrible or too busy or too boring. I know what being with me has done to your world so now you have a place to go and you don’t even have to ever invite me. ALI James, this is too much! JAMES Wait. Hold on, there’s one more thing... Oh, where’d I put it? James feels all of his pockets, then finally produces another small box. This one is cracked red leather -- obviously an antique jewelry box. Ali’s heart races as James gets down on one knee. 90.

ALI OhmyGod... JAMES Alexandra, I never believed in love at first at sight until I sat down beside you... With James on one knee and Ali standing before him, CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL UP, UP and AWAY and finally Ali and James get a moment to themselves.

EXT. COTTAGE - A BIT LATER Ali and James walk in the open field. Ali still holds the ring box. ALI Can you explain to me how you can marry an American? JAMES I just need my Grandmother’s permission, which I will get. ALI Yeah? JAMES She’ll love you and she’ll want me to be happy. I know she’s The Queen, but she’s still my grandmother. ALI But a Royal hasn’t married a commoner in over 600 years - I know this because I read it on a blog devoted to hating me... and the last time an heir to the throne tried to marry an American, he had to abdicate. JAMES That’s because she was already married, not because she was an American. You’re not married are you? (Ali smiles) Ali - you and I are going to do this differently. We’re going to live in our own flat, not at Clarence House. We’ll have real lives together, not just in the fishbowl. We’re going to re-invent this thing. 91.

ALI You think that’s possible? For real? JAMES Hey, I am gonna be King one day - They tell me I get to make the rules. (teases) It’s good to be the King! (Ali laughs) But my life is to serve and you can do as little or as much of that as you like... but you do need to be sure you know what you’re taking on if you join the family. ALI I don’t know what I’m taking on. I don’t know the things you know. I didn’t grow up in a palace, behind gates... with a moat... JAMES There aren’t any moats... ALI You know what I mean. (nods) Oh man. Okay. Well, just wait ‘til you meet my family. It’s not like they’re totally normal. JAMES I can’t wait. So was that little nod a yes? We’re going to do this? You’ll marry me? ALI Yes. James. I will marry you. If I’m allowed to... JAMES (hugs her deeply) Until I meet with my grandmother which will be immediately - we need to keep this between us. (Ali nods) But you can put the ring on here, ‘no one can see us. Ali opens the box and we see the ring. It’s amazing of course. James slips it on her finger. JAMES Want to see the cottage? 92.

ALI Hold on. I just need to, you know, (starts to weep) I’m gonna cry for a minute. I mean... I just got engaged -- that’s huge -- and I’m going to be a Queen one day. What?!! I can’t wrap my head around that one and I have a cottage in Wales -- that’s crazy too. James, promise me you won’t overwhelm me every day for the rest of my life. I love you but I’m going to need some normal. JAMES I’ll work on it... (sees her worried face) You’ll teach me. Ali throws her arms around James and as they head to the cottage, we hear the SOUND of BAGPIPES.

EXT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - 9 A.M. - THE NEXT DAY As is the ritual since 1843, the Queen’s personal PIPER plays BAGPIPES under the Queen’s window. CLOSE - THE QUEEN’S RED BOX Is placed on her desk. We are: INT. THE QUEEN’S STUDY Queen Anne reaches inside the box and begins to read from a stack of documents. Standing by her side is her Private Secretary, Ronnie. QUEEN ANNE (perusing a document) And what is this Ronnie? RONNIE Prince George is requesting the Royal helicopter to travel to a military hospital in Newcastle, ma’am. QUEEN ANNE Newcastle’s not that far. What does he need the helicopter for? RONNIE He has quite a busy schedule that day. I think it would help. 93.

QUEEN ANNE (looks up, a bit annoyed, signs the document, then onto the next letter) ) The Prime Minister wants to chat with me today at 4:30? Won’t I be with the President of Ghana? RONNIE Yes, ma’am. May I have him phone a bit later? QUEEN ANNE Tomorrow will be fine. RONNIE Yes, Ma’am. And I have an appointment request here from Prince James, he said it was rather urgent that he see you. Ronnie hands The Queen a letter from James. She looks up concerned, takes the letter, but her concern seems fleeting as she returns to signing documents, placing the letter on her desk. QUEEN ANNE Fit him into the next available time, I suppose. RONNIE That would be in three months, ma’am. (she stares at him, she knew that) Perhaps we could fit him in tomorrow at tea time? QUEEN ANNE Isn’t Alfie due back tomorrow? RONNIE He is indeed. At 2 p.m. I believe. QUEEN ANNE Well, sometime after that commotion settles down. RONNIE Yes, ma’am. Just then a door behind Ronnie opens and an Equerry ENTERS amongst four Cocker Spaniels. The Queen lights up when she sees the dogs, greeting them like long lost relatives. 94.

BBC NEWS VIDEO A British Air jet at Heathrow. Alfie walks down the steps of the plane, saluting a few soldiers on the ground. ANCHOR V.O. Twenty-six year old Prince Alfie returned today from a six-week stint at the Queen’s Tusk Trust in Zimbabwe following a very public escapade last April at a London gentleman’s club. FOOTAGE OF ALFIE WORKING IN AFRICA Pumping water from a well, working in a field with a scarf around his head, a giraffe in the b.g. ANCHOR V.O. The young Prince reportedly worked a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule while living amongst the villagers he was there to help. FOOTAGE OF ALFIE - WALKING THROUGH HEATHROW - TODAY ANCHOR V.O. The Prince appeared relaxed if slightly tired today, giving a thumbs up as he arrived at Heathrow Airport. (Back to Studio) The volunteer work seems to have been quite effective as the Rebel Prince appeared uncharacteristically reserved yet happy to be home. Quite sober indeed. CUT TO:

A SHIRT BEING TWIRLED IN A CIRCLE IN THE AIR And thrown into a CROWD AT A LONDON CLUB. We realize now that Alfie is doing the throwing as he dances on a table top - now shirtless. Clearly wasted, he starts to take off his belt and the Crowd goes wild, Cell Phone cameras poised to shoot. ANGLE - A BOOTH - AWAY FROM THE CROWD Where Ali and James watch in amazement. ALI You should stop him James. 95.

Alfie takes another shot when the crowd starts clapping. James rises, Simon and a few others from the Protection Police gather around. ALFIE (laughs, spotting James) Uh-oh, now I’m in trouble. Hey I’m mad at you, bro... The Crowd looks from Alfie to James. This is too good. ALFIE He lets them ship me off to Africa so he can steal my girl - I met her first you know... and now look at them - fucking engaged! The Crowd audibly GASPS. Ali and James can’t believe it as CELL CAMERA FLASHES rapidly explode. CUT TO: The Next Day’s Headlines: THEY’RE ENGAGED! ROYALTY REINVENTS ITSELF! AN AMERICAN QUEEN and another just says -- REALLY???

HIGH ANGLE -- THE GUARDS IN FRONT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE We are looking thru a window pane from the Queen’s private quarters. QUEEN ANNE’S O.S. Do you honestly think this is how I should find out you have proposed marriage to someone?

INT. THE QUEEN’S STUDY - DAY The Queen turns to talk to James who sits on a sofa. His father sits in a leather chair near his Mother. QUEEN ANNE By reading about it in this morning’s Telegraph. You’ve known this girl less than 8 weeks James, this is preposterous. JAMES This is obviously not the way I wanted you to hear. I was going to go through the proper channels, I requested an appointment to tell you about this ...but I made the mistake of confiding in my brother. 96.

QUEEN ANNE You certainly did. JAMES The point is, I’m in love and I want to spend my life with this woman. QUEEN ANNE I’m aware that impulsive love affairs happen, they always have, but marriage, for you, is another matter. The thought of marrying someone like this... (James bristles, his Grandmother spells it out) That’s not your destiny, James. I’m sorry. We are, in a sense, public property, aren’t we... and one makes the best of it, accepting one’s fate -- a responsibility to country more than to oneself. JAMES I don’t see it that way. (George looks to his Mother) Anyway, Royals have married foreigners for generations. You married one yourself. QUEEN ANNE Yes, but his great-grandfather was the King of Denmark, his mother was a German Princess. He was nobility, not a commoner. The history of Britain has been told through royal marriages... JAMES Yes, in the past. (The Queen gives him the Royal stare - expressionless and scary) I’m sorry, Gran, but that’s not how history is told anymore. My marrying some party girl from royal ancestry is ...well, first of all, I’ve met them all - you know I have -- so I really mean it when I tell you it’s never going to happen with one of them. I’m not going to live a shell of a life. George shifts uncomfortably in his chair. 97.

QUEEN ANNE James, the rest of the world may go up and down but we must remain consistent. That is what is expected. This family helps define this country and we are not going to let them down. Now, I would like you to say publicly that this was a mistake. That Alfie had too much to drink, or that he was kidding. I don’t care how you say it. Just deny it. And do it quickly. JAMES I want you to meet Ali before any decisions are made. PRINCE GEORGE That isn’t wise James. It will just lead her on and continue this... hysteria. JAMES Gran, have I ever come to you and asked you to meet anyone I was seeing? (she can’t deny this) You’re my family, I want you to meet her. PRINCE GEORGE This is out of our hands, James. There is a rule... a marriage act. JAMES (quoting it) “No descendent of George II can marry into foreign families without the consent of the reigning monarch.” I know. But come on, Dad, this law was written in 1772 by a King who was a known mad man! How does that relate to me? QUEEN ANNE It relates to you because it’s a law we live by. I will never change my mind James. JAMES Can you meet her next week? George can’t believe the balls on this kid. QUEEN ANNE I must get on now, I’ve fallen behind in my day. 98.

JAMES Dad, can you help me? QUEEN ANNE (not letting George answer) James, I’m not in charge of my schedule. I don’t know what I can do. JAMES But you know you can change your schedule. So please do. Please Gran.

INT BUCKINGHAM PALACE CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER The corridor is vast - a string of crystal chandeliers above a gilded, marbled, mirrored hall. Equerries stop to bow as James quickly passes by them.

THE MORNING SHOWS - LIVE Everyone, on every channel, is talking about the engagement. WOMEN ARGUING ON A “VIEW” TYPE SHOW -- WOMAN #1 “The Palace isn’t denying it so it must be true.” WOMAN #2 “If it was true, Clarence House would have announced it. Properly! This is simply not how it’s done.” MORNING CHAT SHOW. MALE HOST: “I’m serious! Why can’t he marry her?” FEMALE HOST: “Because she’s not English!!! We can’t have a Queen from Pennsylvania!” MALE HOST: “We’ve had many husbands and wives of Royals from other European countries. The world is very connected now. So, now it’s America. I like it. It’s modern. A shot of Viagra for the old Monarchy...” BBC -- “In the U.S. today, Royal Watchers are overjoyed with the news that perhaps one of their own is marrying the second in line to the throne. Little is known about Alexadra Padget..” BBC ONE. Over FOOTAGE of Ali trying to EXIT HER FLAT this morning where Paparazzi literally trap her. NEWSCASTER V.O. - - Ali Padget was besieged by the Paparazzi today as she left her... SKY NEWS: “Another member of the Royal Family once wed an American but he was 40th in line for the throne, certainly not 2nd...” THE ENTERTAINMENT CHANNEL -- showing a PHOTO OF ALI next to a PHOTO OF JEMIMA both wearing PHOTO-SHOPPED CROWNS. The Channel’s STYLE GURU points out the obvious differences. 99.

“So you tell me, who looks more like a Princess? Ali Padget in her jeans, worn ballet flats and her trusty Zara jacket or Jemima Billington-Finch in her amazingly crown worthy updo, wearing head-to-toe Chanel Couture and diamonds by way of Daddy. This isn’t Cinderella, folks. James, if you’re listening... Do the right thing, mate!” A big X lands on Ali’s Photo. WOMAN ON THE STREET BEING INTERVIEWED: Why shouldn’t one of the Royals finally be happy?! I say, let him marry her. Absolutely!

INT. QUEEN’S STUDY - A.M. We see that Queen Anne holds the remote and she is the one who has been channel surfing. She snaps off the TV.

INT. AUDI - THAT MORNING The Car is parked near the CNN building. James and Ali sit in the front seat, alone in the car. ALI She said no? Just a flat out no? JAMES No, not flat out... Look, she’s not the most modern of thinkers. Tradition means everything to her... obviously. I think we just have to warm her up to this. This is just a formality. (as if this is good news) She wants to meet you though-- ALI Okay. Guess that’s good. Right? JAMES Definitely. It is. Promising. Ali plays with a long chain around her neck that’s tucked into her blouse. James watches her. She pulls out the chain and at the end of it dangles her engagement ring. ALI I couldn’t exactly leave a crown jewel in my flat. JAMES I promise you I’m going to get her there. 100.

ALI (nods) I should get back to work. JAMES What do you want to do tonight? Should we stay in? ALI Sure... JAMES That’s a normal thing to do, right? ALI Yeah, you’re doing great at being normal. She looks out the window and sees Eight Royal Protection Police circling the car. They kiss a disappointed kiss goodbye. Simon opens the door for Ali and James watches her walk toward the CNN building, swarmed by Paparazzi.

EXT. LONDON THAI RESTAURANT - NIGHT A Delivery Guy from the restaurant runs out some TAKE OUT BAGS to a Jaguar parked in front of the restaurant.

EXT. CLARENCE HOUSE - NIGHT As the Jag pulls in, an Equerry rushes out and retrieves the Take Out Bags.

INT. CLARENCE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS CAMERA IS ON THE BAGS as the Equerry’s hand carries them over an 18th Century Persian rug. The bags are handed off to another Equerry who takes them up the Elevator.

UPSTAIRS - CLARENCE HOUSE The Take out Bags are walked to James’s Private Apartment. Angus opens the door and retrieves them. Angus carries them to one more door. A KNOCK. Alfie answers. ALFIE Thanks man. Alfie carries the bags into: JAMES’S LIVING ROOM 101.

Where James, Alfie and Ali are watching a movie on TV. They all dig into the bags as Ali hands the boys plates and forks. They all cozy up on the sofa, eyes glued to the movie, just like any kids, anywhere.

EXT. CLARENCE HOUSE - A.M. Ali and James EXIT Clarence House. James hands Ali her work bag. JAMES Have a good day at the office dear. Ali smiles when they’re approached by Simon. A Jaguar sits nearby. Standing at the Jaguar are two Women in pant suits from the Royal Protection Squad. SIMON Good morning, Sir, Ali. Ali I wanted to introduce you to your new security detail. ALI (turns to James) I have security detail? JAMES It’s way overdue. SIMON He’s quite right ma’am. Penny and Emma are members of our special escort group. The officers and the car are at your disposal 24/7. This is a state of the art armored vehicle and both officers are decorated sharpshooters trained in MPF SF2 sub machine guns which they will have with them at all times. ALI I think this could be overkill Simon, I’m pretty sure the paparazzi just takes photos so people can check out what I’m wearing or how bad my hair looks... SIMON Well, at least you’ll be well protected while they look.

BBC NEWS FOOTAGE - FULL SCREEN Of Ali being escorted into the CNN Building by her new Bodyguards. 102.

NEWSCASTER (V.O.) Alexandra Padget, the suspected future wife of Prince James has recently been allocated some personal close protection whilst living in London further fuelling speculation that an engagement announcement is imminent.

BBC NEWS FOOTAGE - ALI’S STREET - NIGHT Royal Protection Officers patrol either end of Ali’s block. NEWSCASTER V.O. Besides a pair of female bodyguards, the West London street where Miss Padget resides now has Royal Protection officers patrolling, twenty-four hours a day. Ali’s Jaguar arrives at the corner and is permitted in. Ali can be seen in the backseat being bombarded with flash bulbs. BBC FOOTAGE - IN STUDIO - FULL SCREEN NEWSCASTER Which bring us to the question - Are they or aren’t they? Some Royal watchers are now saying James marrying an American may be exactly what the Royal Family needs. Could public opinion be starting to sway in Prince James’s favor? We’ve brought together a small sampling here in the studio -- Psychologist, Jane Gordon, Conservative Blogger, Martin Davies and Telegraph Columnist Caroline Hartley. So Jane, what do you think? Is bringing an American into the Royal Family a good thing or not? DR. JANE GORDON I think if James can pull this off, he’ll be re-branding the Royal Family and I say it’s high time. I think it shows the Monarchy is ready to re-boot and embrace a more democratic century with a strong global view. Personally, I love the idea. CAROLINE HARTLEY The Monarchy doesn’t need re- branding or re-booting. The Queen is a fixed point in a changing (MORE) 103. CAROLINE HARTLEY (CONT'D) world. And I like that. I rely on that. She’s not expected to change. And it’s the British monarchy Jane, not the global monarchy. NEWSCASTER Martin, what do you think? MARTIN DAVIES At first I thought this was a PR nightmare for the Queen but now I believe it’s actually beginning to have the opposite effect. CAMERA DRIFTS OFF of a TV. We are:

INT. ALI AND JAMES’S COTTAGE - WALES - DAY Where the TV is on in an EMPTY LIVING ROOM. As we continue to listen, CAMERA moves OFF of the TV and OUT THE OPEN WINDOW, where we see James and Ali having a picnic on a blanket. They lean back onto the blanket and kiss as we continue to hear:

MARTIN DAVIES V.O. James marrying Alexandra Padget may, in fact, be exactly what the Royals need to revive their popularity. Perhaps their greatest asset could be their ability to evolve. I could be wrong, but I think even anti-monarchists will like this idea. Suddenly the “firm” as George VI called them, is showing they can be inclusive. But it’s not up to any of us, is it? The larger question remains. Will Queen Anne allow it to happen.

INT. CNN OFFICES - DAY Busy, close to broadcast time. Ali is on the phone at her desk, checking out a NEW ASSISTANT entering Jillian’s office. ALI (into phone) Yes. Speaking... (realizes what they want) I’m sorry, I have no comment. No, I didn’t say that, I just said, no comment. (answers another line) News Hour. No. Sorry, Ali’s not in (MORE) 104. ALI (CONT'D) today. You know, this is where she works, so maybe you shouldn’t-- (obviously hung up on) Hugh arrives at Ali’s desk. HUGH New BBC poll. 44% of the public thinks James should marry you. ALI (looks around) Can we not do this here. HUGH (whispers) Up 5 percentage points in a week. You’re doing something right. (Ali just stares at him as her phone RINGS) ALI News Hour. Yes, it is. Oh! Hi. Thanks for calling back. I’m calling for Jillian Duranni and we were wondering if we could get the financial aid numbers to India since January... Ali watches the New Assistant EXIT Jillian’s office, smiling at Jillian. Jillian stands at her doorway as Ali jots down notes. Just then, the MAIL CART arrives at Ali’s desk. The MAIL BOY drops at least A HUNDRED LETTERS AND BOXES addressed to Ali on her desk. Ali turns, sees Jillian going back into her office.

INT. ALI’S FLAT - THAT NIGHT We are on Vicky wearing a conservative skirt and blouse, a cardigan rests over her shoulders. VICKY (suddenly very proper) Can we get on with it please? I have an extremely busy morning. Ronnie? Hugh steps in, acting like the Queen’s Private Secretary. HUGH Yes, your majesty. VICKY Show them in. 105.

JAMES (peeks out from behind a wall) She wouldn’t say that. She would just rise and Ronnie would show us in. It’s clear at this point that they are rehearsing meeting the Queen by doing a MOCK MEETING with Vicky playing Queen Anne. VICKY (in character) Very well. HUGH (announcing) Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince James, Duke of Cambridge and Miss Alexandra Padget. James and Ali come around the corner, Ali curtseys and then extends her hand. HUGH You only shake if she offers. Vicky offers her hand to Ali. They shake hands, then Ali turns to sit. JAMES You can’t turn your back to her. Ali walks backwards, starts to sit. JAMES And -- she sits first. Ali rises. Vicky sits. Vicky crosses her legs at her ankles, folds her hands in her lap. James smiles - she’s spot on. Ali and James sit across from Vicky. Vicky points to Ali’s legs - giving her a heads up. Ali quickly crosses her legs at her ankles. No one speaks. For too long. JAMES (to Vicky) We can’t speak first, you have to start the conversation. VICKY Of course. Ali, lovely to finally meet you. I’ve got a few questions for you. ALI Okay, great. 106.

VICKY Yes, let’s start with an easy one, shall we? (suddenly Judy Dench-like) Are you a virgin or have you been plucked? ALI (turns to James) Oh my God! She will not ask me that? VICKY (as herself) How do you know? Elizabeth I was, (makes quote marks) “The Virgin Queen.” Could be a good selling point. ALI Okay, well, um, no, I’m not. I’m sorry. JAMES Don’t apologize. ALI Okay, I’m not sorry. Actually I am sorry about one... HUGH Hey! JAMES What!? ALI Not him. (James is surprised) I mean... HUGH Tea time? VICKY (back in character) Yes, Ronnie, thank you. Hugh delivers empty tea cups to all. Ali immediately begins to drink hers. JAMES You can’t have anything to eat or drink until she does. 107.

ALI So she just goes first at everything? JAMES Yeah. VICKY You know, Ali, being a member of the Royal Family is a job for life. What are your thoughts on that matter? ALI I look forward to that. My intention is to be married to James for the rest of my life so, that sounds great. The CAMERA SLOWLY MOVES IN on Vicky as she gives a break out performance as an embittered Queen. VICKY I’m not talking about your marriage, Alexandra. I’m talking about the job of being a part of this family. Most people have a job and get to go home at the end of the day. You can’t divide this job up. The boxes, the communications, the requests, the engagements -- it has no end. There are no days off when you are a Princess or a Queen. Young people find these pressures quite difficult, even the ones trained for it. There will be no outings to local pubs or a dash into Zara or runs to Burger King. That life - the one you currently live and call your own -- you understand that will end the day you say, “I do”. Can you accept that Alexandra? The loss of your freedom? Because once you enter our world we expect it to be a commitment for life -- can you here and now declare before me that you will make that sacrifice, as I did and devote the entirety of your life to the service of the imperial family? Utter silence. ALI (tearing up) Okay, you are freaking me out. 108.

JAMES (in shock) That was absolutely brilliant. HUGH Scared the shit out of me. JAMES Me too. Terrifying. VICKY Too much? I wasn’t sure. I watched a bunch of Queen movies to prepare. That was a mistake. I can warm her up, make her more likeable. Here we go. Take two. This’ll be better. (starts over) Ali! So you’re the young lady our James is so crazy about. Tell me dear... (Ali softens) You couldn’t find any guys in America to marry you? You had to go all the way to another country? As Alfie said to me just this morning, “Seriously Gran -- what the fuck!” (Ali sinks her head in her hands) Okay.... That was off. JAMES -- You know what? We’re good. We should wrap this is up. Big day tomorrow.

EXT. ALI’S FLAT Ali stands in front of he flat, waves to James as his motorcade drive away. She look up as someone takes her photo from the house across the street.

INT. ALI’S BEDROOM - MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT - MUSIC OVER It’s 3 a.m. and Ali is wide awake watching a FRIENDS episode on her computer. Her mind is a million miles away.

INT. JAMES’S BEDROOM - SAME TIME - MUSIC CONTINUES James is playing FIFA, a soccer video game, and losing badly.

A CRESCENT MOON ABOVE BUCKINGHAM PALACE - MUSIC FADES. FADE THRU TO: 109.

THE IMPERIAL STATE CROWN The most famous Crown Jewel in the United Kingdom. Sparkling jewels set against purple velvet and white ermine. It’s intimidating just to be in its presence. CAMERA BOOMS UP and over the CROWN to reveal James and Ali being introduced by the real Ronnie. We are:

INT. PRIVATE AUDIENCE ROOM - BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY RONNIE His Royal Highness, Prince James and Alexandra Padget, your Majesty. The Queen stands in the center of the room. James crosses to her Majesty and kisses her on both cheeks. Ali curtseys. The Queen extends her hand and Ali shakes it. QUEEN ANNE Good afternoon. ALI Good afternoon. So nice to meet you. QUEEN ANNE I heard you were in a bit of traffic. ALI We were. It’s a little crazy out there. But we got here. QUEEN ANNE Has it started raining? It looked very threatening this morning. JAMES It’s actually clearing up a little. The Crown rests on a velvet stand between them. JAMES (re: the crown) So what’s this doing here? Isn’t it supposed to be locked in the Tower? QUEEN ANNE They brought it over because they need to adjust it. I’ll wear it at the state opening of Parliament in the fall but I’m off to Balmoral for the summer holiday soon so this gives them time to get it to fit properly. It weighs two and half (MORE) 110. QUEEN ANNE (CONT'D) pounds you see. Incredibly heavy on the head. It was made for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838, remade for George VI’s coronation and partially remade for my coronation in ‘55, the arches were made lower to make it more feminine and lighter. But it never really fit. (looks up, sees Ronnie at the door) Oh, is he here? Ronnie introduces EDWARD WALTON, CROWN JEWELER. Edward bows to the Queen, and then to James. He crosses to the Queen. QUEEN ANNE Edward, come in. (to James and Ali) Hope you two don’t mind if we quickly take care of this. We can talk while he fusses with it. James looks apologetically at Ali. JAMES Edward, this is Ali Padget. EDWARD How do you do, ma’am. ALI Hi. The Queen sits in a Louis XIV chair. Ali and James sit on a sofa across from her. Ali crosses her legs at her ankles but notices the Queen does not. Edward lifts the crown, carrying it past Ali and James and places it on the Queen’s head. Ali is struck by how intimate and incredible this moment is. QUEEN ANNE Feels even heavier... EDWARD Well, you haven’t worn it in a year. QUEEN ANNE No I suspect my brain is shrinking. Edward laughs. Ali’s cell phone rings with a SKYFALL ring tone. Suddenly James Bond is in the room. QUEEN ANNE What is that? 111.

ALI (mortified) I’m so sorry. (looks at her cell) It’s my boss calling. I won’t take it. QUEEN ANNE Well, if it’s your boss... ALI Okay. (Ali whispers into phone) Hi. I’m sort of in a meeting, I’ll be back shortly. (The Queen and James exchange a look) --I’m in um... Buckingham Palace... with... (whispers even more) James’s grandmother. Correct. Call you as soon as I’m-- (nods, hangs up) So sorry, ma’am. QUEEN ANNE Duty calls. I understand. You can shut those mobiles off, though, can’t you? ALI Yes, of course. I just, I forgot to do that. It’s habit... because of my job. So sorry. (shuts off her phone) QUEEN ANNE The Dogs go mad when mobiles go off around here. Luckily they’re out for a run. I thought you both might be interested in hearing a a bit about this tiara. Edward can tell you about it while he’s pinching me. EDWARD Sorry, ma’am. Yes, there’s over 3000 gems in the Imperial Crown. This large stone in the front is the 2nd star of Africa, the first star is in the scepter with the cross which is in the Tower of London. The Black Prince’s Ruby, right here, was worn by Henry V, in the battle of Agincourt in 1415 and the pearls in the center were on a necklace that was worn by Elizabeth I. 112.

The Queen hears sniffing, turns to see Ali wiping a tear. ALI I’m sorry, I’ve never been this close to so much history. QUEEN ANNE You’ve been close to James. There’s a lot more history in that young man than in this tiara. Edward, can you fix it so it doesn’t push down so much on my ears... that’s the problem. Ali doesn’t look to James. Bolsters herself, just keeping her eyes on the Queen. James reaches over, takes her hand. DISSOLVE TO:

TEA BEING SERVED - SAME MELANCHOLY MUSIC FROM LAST NIGHT PLAYS OVER... Ali waits for the Queen to take a sip first. The Queen is an efficient hostess -- her questions are quick and to the point and she expects answers to be brief. She keeps the conversation moving and in the direction she wants. James is clearly disappointed. MOMENTS LATER. The Queen discreetly presses a buzzer on the table and Ronnie ENTERS. The Queen rises. Meeting adjourned. James tries to make eye contact with her but she won’t give. We hear the SOUND of a LARGE DOOR SLAM.

INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER Ali and James walk the long ornate corridor. Ali looks up at the Portraits of past Royals peering down at her. Equerries bow as James passes by. ALI I’m not sure which went worse, this or the mock meeting with Vicky. JAMES I’m pretty sure this did. An eleven minute meeting including tea is hard to pull off, but she did it. The trying on of the crown while we were there... I mean... not exactly subtle. ALI You said she fit me into a packed day. (MORE) 113. ALI (CONT'D) (trying to keep up) Are you walking like really fast? JAMES I want to get out of here. ALI Are we racing? JAMES Want to? Ali nods, taking off. James runs, catches up, takes her hand and they run side-by-side through the hall.

HIGH ANGLE - ALI AND JAMES racing down the vast corridor.

EXT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY They exit, out of breath, look at one another. ALI I love you, James. JAMES Still? ALI I’m not in a rush, we can have a long engagement or a non- engagement. I don’t care. We’ll give her time to come around. James looks up at the Queen’s window. He sees her curtain move.

INT. CNN OFFICE - SHORTLY AFTER Ali rushes into the office, noticeably better dressed than usual, after her meeting with the Queen. Everyone takes a sec to check her out. Hugh catches up with her. HUGH How’d it go? ALI Haven’t met the woman before, but if I had to guess, I’d say not good at all bordering on awful. 114.

Ali sits at her desk. She’s the headline on CNN’s HOMEPAGE -- A LONG LENS PHOTO from this morning, ENTERING THE PALACE. HEADLINE: ALI AT THE PALI! ALI Can’t get a break. JILLIAN (from her doorway) Ali. Got a sec?

INT. JILLIAN’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER Jillian paces, she’s extremely nervous. Ali stands. JILLIAN -- Ali, I hope you know how fond I am of you... actually, maybe you don’t so let me tell you. You were an amazing intern in New York. I couldn’t believe you said you’d move to London when I was transferred. I could not have made the transition without you. So, thank you... (Ali nods, sensing what’s coming) You’re relentlessly resourceful, incredibly bright, always two steps ahead and you care about what we do here. I want you to know how much I value you but this morning I was followed by paparazzi when I took my boys to school. I’m used to them outside the office, but now they’re at my house... Then they followed me all the way here, I could barely drive, it was nerve-wracking. I have nothing to tell them but they keep asking me the same questions. Can you shut the door.... (Ali shuts the door, turns back to see Jillian lighting a cigarette) ALI You’re still smoking? JILLIAN I never quit. (looks at Ali - this is so hard for her) I’ve tried to lighten your load, you know that, but with all this attention-- 115.

ALI I’m a distraction. JILLIAN How could you not be? You’re going to marry Prince James or that’s what I gather is happening... I want what’s best for you, I really do but... ALI (saving her...) You know, I was going to come see you this week anyway because... it feels like the time has come for me to... consider moving on. JILLIAN It does? Because I don’t really know what’s going on with you so... ALI Yeah, well it’s a bit complicated right now with my boyfriend’s family. JILLIAN I can imagine. ALI So I think it’s probably best, given everything I’m facing... to have, you know, a little more free time to give me a chance to focus on what’s ahead, even though that’s a bit unclear given that there’s this 200 year old law that might... JILLIAN Wait a sec, hold on. I think you’re quitting just so I don’t have to fire you. You don’t have to be that good of an assistant. (pours two drinks, hands one to Ali) Let’s just be straight with each other, shall we..? ALI (blurts out) Do you know how many times my Mom e- mailed me Sheryl Sandberg’s TED Talk? “Don’t leave your job before you leave, keep your foot on the pedal, take a seat at the table, lean in, don’t lean out. There’s 190 Heads of State, only 9 are women, in the corporate sector, (MORE) 116. ALI (CONT'D) women occupy only 15% of the top jobs.” I’ve memorized her speech. I came to London because I looked at your career and I have a crush on it. I literally love coming to work every day. My parents want me to take a seat at the table and so do I... But look at me, I’m 24 and I’m leaving a job I love to become a Princess. That is a lot to deal with... if you’re me. How do I reconcile all that? Wow, we’re drinking in the office. (take a gulp) JILLIAN Ali, you’re not leaving to become a Princess in a fairy tale. ALI Yeah, that I’m getting... JILLIAN This is a massive job with massive responsibilities and massive opportunities. ALI Yeah, well, we’ll see if I even get there. JILLIAN Come on, you will. The latest BBC Poll has the public’s approval rating of the marriage at 50% and internationally at 54%. David Cameron wishes his ratings were that high. Look, you haven’t been photographed naked, you haven’t talked to the press and the future King has never looked more relaxed. People do want happy endings. So when this happens -- take a seat at the biggest table in the country and redefine “princess”. Make it the most influential, most important job in the country. Aren’t you the one who’s come to me to do stories on world hunger and the women of the Sudan and water shortages... You can do so much good with this Ali. You’ll have the world’s attention at your fingertips. (realizes...) Jesus. Maybe it’s a job that’s waited centuries for a girl like you. (MORE) 117. JILLIAN (CONT'D) (Ali tears up as Jillian hugs her...) Make us proud, Al...

EXT. CNN OFFICES - THAT EVENING Ali exits carrying several tote bags. Her Jaguar waits at the curb. Penny steps out, opening the back door for her. ALI (drops her stuff in the car) I think I’m just gonna walk for a bit... PENNY We’ve been asked to take you to Buckingham Palace, ma’am. (Ali’s confused.) Her Majesty would like to see you.

INT. STUDY - BUCKINGHAM PALACE - NIGHT Ali waits in the Queen’s private study, listening to the rain as it pelts against the leaded windows. Prince George is introduced and Ali stands. George crosses to her. She curtseys. GEORGE (shaking her hand) Sorry to keep you waiting. ALI I thought I was seeing her Majesty. GEORGE (taking a seat) Yes, she’ll be here shortly. Ali, The Queen has made a decision that she will not give permission for you and James to marry. And please do not take that as a judgment about you. My mother has reigned longer than any monarch in history, I’d say most Britons remember no other monarch, at all. And one does not easily change an integral part of an institution such as ours. The Queen is not interested in public opinion polls on the matter. She just can’t see the future King married to an American. It’s that simple. 118.

ALI So we can’t be married? I mean, I hear that you’re saying that, but ... ever? GEORGE Well, no...James can marry you. But then he can never be King. Ali nods. No more tears. Somehow she knew this was coming. ALI And James knows? GEORGE Her Majesty spoke to him this afternoon. The DOOR TO THE STUDY OPENS and the Queen ENTERS unannounced, holding some papers which she places on her desk. Ali and George rise. George bows, Ali curtseys. QUEEN ANNE Thank you for coming Ali. Well, the rain is finally here I see. The Queen sits, folds up her glasses. Ali and George take their seats. Ali sees the Queen’s hands are trembling. QUEEN ANNE Ali, James was told at six years of age that he would be the future King of England. From that moment, he has been preparing for the job. He has waited for the day he will serve and the country has waited along side him. His ascendency is steeped in a thousand years of our nation’s life and consciousness. However, today, James told me if he is not permitted to marry you, he will abdicate. Give it all up. (Ali is stunned) I’ve asked to see you because if you truly love James I’m hoping you will not deny him his rightful destiny. ALI (putting this together...) -- So, you’re asking me to break up with him? QUEEN ANNE The people of Britain will lose a great sovereign if James renounces the throne. And I don’t think James is thinking what his future without (MORE) 119. QUEEN ANNE (CONT'D) all this would be. What else does he know? He knows no other life outside these walls.

ALI - IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR Silently looking out the rain soaked window, holding onto her necklace.

JAMES - AT HOME - CLARENCE HOUSE - SAME TIME Looking out his rainy window, the lights in his living room are dimly lit. His cell RINGS. He turns to it.

ALI’S ROOFTOP - NIGHT It’s stopped raining but the night clouds are heavy. Ali waits alone, wrapping her sweater tightly around her. She turns when she hears the door to the roof open and James crosses to her. She meets him half way. ALI So I was thinking. You were right about me. (he wonders where this is going) I do break up with all of my boyfriends. JAMES Ali... ALI I should be pretty good at this by now, you’d think, but the truth is, I really suck at it, so bear with me. Let’s just say you dodged a bullet here, okay... JAMES No...don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t... ALI I can’t do this anymore, James. It’s too big for me. I don’t know how to maneuver through it. I think it’s time for me to... go home. I’m lost here. JAMES I’m giving it up, Ali. I don’t care anymore. 120.

ALI I’m not gonna let you do that. And I know you do care. You have to. Look, I’m just a kid from Philadelphia. I don’t belong in the history books. But you do. (James feels her slipping away) I’m sorry. Ali puts something in James’s hand. He opens his palm and sees the chain with her RING on it as well as the KEY to the cottage. She kisses him good bye.

EXT. ALI’S FLAT James rushes down the stairs of Ali’s building. His Security Detail chats across the street. James gets into his Audi, alone, and takes off. Simon’s head snaps in that direction, signalling his men to follow. The Audi turns the corner before the guys even get in their cars.

JAMES - DRIVING With no one on either side of him, he speeds into a tunnel, passing all the other cars.

INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE PRIVATE CORRIDOR - NIGHT Prince George makes his way through his Mother’s private quarters. The night Equerry sits at a desk, reading something on his computer. Stunned to see Prince George, he quickly rises. EQUIRRY Your Highness, I’ll.. GEORGE Don’t bother. George barrels into: HER ROYAL HIGHNESS’S BEDROOM The Queen is under her duvet, the TV is on as she works a crossword puzzle. Two dogs are in bed with her, two more on the floor. A glass of sherry sits on the night table by framed photos of the dogs, her horse and her parents. QUEEN ANNE George! What’s going on? Is everything alright? 121.

George sits on his mother’s bed. She pulls up the duvet to shield herself. QUEEN ANNE What is it? What are you doing here this time of night? GEORGE Mother do you remember the girl I fell in love with when I was twenty? QUEEN ANNE Forty years ago? Are you bonkers? No, I certainly do not. GEORGE Well, I’ve never forgotten her. Her name was Jane Phillips. And I wanted to marry her. QUEEN ANNE Oh, come now... It’s ten p.m.. GEORGE Do you remember forbidding me to do so? QUEEN ANNE Yes. You have me to thank for that, I suppose. GEORGE No, mother, I loved her and not a day has passed that I haven’t thought of her. Instead, I married a woman with the right breeding for the firm but she was never the right woman for me. QUEEN ANNE You had many options, George. GEORGE I’ve lived a lonely life for 45 years, Mama´. QUEEN ANNE You could have remarried after your divorce. GEORGE Yes, perhaps I’ll do that one day. I’ve really tried to give my boys more of a childhood than I ever had raised by nannies and secretaries. (that’s not easy for the (MORE) 122. GEORGE (CONT'D) Queen to hear) And I still want more for them so if this girl, who seems quite lovely, can give James a semblance of a normal life, then for God’s sake, let him have it. QUEEN ANNE George, this is foolish. It’s been decided. Now please go home. It’s late. (finishes off her Sherry) GEORGE I’m not quite done. George opens the door of his mother’s night stand, grabs a bottle of Sherry, pours her another glass. GEORGE You have presided over a long line of marital failures Mama´. Every single Royal marriage since yours has ended in divorce or near divorce. Have we learned nothing? We no longer need to marry for our country. I think our country is weary of our troubles and would much rather see us all be happy. And none of us want to make the best of it anymore. I am the oldest living heir to the throne in British history. Perhaps I too shall ditch the job before it’s too late for me... (she’s in shock) - which, by the way, would make Alfie our future King. How’s that for an ironic twist? QUEEN ANNE Now you’re just being a fool, George. GEORGE Drink up Mama´, I’m liking this idea. Who knows, maybe Jane Phillips is still out there somewhere. The Queen downs her drink when there’s a knock on the door. EQUIRRY Mr. Arthur Haverson, ma’am. QUEEN ANNE Has everyone gone completely mad? 123.

GEORGE What’s going on Arthur? ARTHUR So sorry to disturb but it’s Prince James. GEORGE Yes? ARTHUR He went to see Miss Padget this evening, then took off in his car, by himself. Royal Protection was tracking him, but I’m afraid we’ve lost him. George looks to his mother, knowing she is to blame.

EXT. STREET - OUTSIDE OF LONDON - SAME TIME James drives slowly down a street with a pub at the corner. Guys his age pass by, arm in arm with their girlfriends, heading toward the pub. James watches them, seeing how at ease they are with themselves. James spots a Couple kissing against a wall. He speeds up, turning the corner.

INT. ALI’S FLAT - THE NEXT MORNING Ali is packing. Her closet is almost empty. She wears leggings, a sweatshirt, her hair is in a pony tail. Adele comes on her iPod “Rolling in the Deep” -- “We could’ve had it allll”. ALI Really??? She clicks to the next song, when her doorbell RINGS. Vicky, fresh out of the shower, wearing only a towel, passes by. VICKY I’ll get it. (moving off...) Gotta delete Adele for at least six months, Al. Vicky peeks out the peep hole in the front door and sees Penny, Ali’s Bodyguard. VICKY (opening the door) Hey Penny. 124.

PENNY (nervously) Someone’s here to see Ali. RONNIE (steps in, announces) Her Majesty, the Queen. And right before Vicky’s eyes, the Queen of England appears in the doorway. Vicky gasps, covering her gaping mouth with her hands, which unfortunately for the Queen, means VICKY’S TOWEL DROPS TO HER ANKLES, leaving her completely naked and still a little wet. The Queen eyes widen. VICKY I’m so sorry. I forgot to curtsy... QUEEN ANNE No! Please don’t. Too late. The Queen bends down with her eyes closed and delicately hands Vicky her towel. Vicky wraps herself up. VICKY I didn’t mean to speak first. I’m Victoria, Ali’s flat-mate. Oh, my God. I’m your number one fan - in the world. I love you to death! I can’t believe you’re standing here. (quickly hugs her) Come in, come in. Did I get you wet? Ali ENTERS stunned to see the Queen in her Living Room and Vicky trying to wipe a wet spot off The Queen’s dress. QUEEN ANNE Hello Ali. ALI (curtsies) Your Majesty. Everything okay ma’am? VICKY Can I get you a cup of tea? I have Darjeeling, your fave. Chocolate biscuit? Cut up apple? QUEEN ANNE I’m quite fine, thank you. May I speak with you Ali? ALI Of course. 125.

VICKY (walking backwards) Gonna go dry my hair. (bangs into the wall) Ow. Sorry. If you girls need me, give a shout. (looks to Ali with an OMG face) The two Women, now alone, face one another. QUEEN ANNE Did you know James is missing? (fumbling with her hankie) ALI No. What do you mean? How long’s he been missing? QUEEN ANNE (wipes her eyes) I gather since he left here last night. He got in his car, lost his security, they think he must have tossed the car’s tracking device. You haven’t heard from him? I’m beside myself with worry. ALI No. He and I. As we discussed, I -- QUEEN ANNE (nods) Yes, I assume you broke it off. (wipes her eye with her hankie) Well, this is certainly not my shining hour. Not showing her vulnerability very often, she’s not sure how to express herself. ALI Would you like to sit down? QUEEN ANNE Thank you. The Queen takes a seat, Ali sits across from her. QUEEN ANNE Ali, I’ve given this whole matter more thought. You see, Prince George came by to see me last night, quite unexpectedly, and he is adamantly in favor of this marriage. He made that abundantly (MORE) 126. QUEEN ANNE (CONT'D) clear. (Ali is surprised to hear this) Yes, I was surprised as well, but I must say, he made some very strong arguments. I am not used to seeing him quite so outspoken. I was quite stirred and stayed up most of the night, walking the halls, weighing it all. ALI -- Wow, and those are long halls... QUEEN ANNE Yes, tell me about it... but it was quite fascinating really. I had a chance to see all the portraits of all the Royals that came before me. I’ve walked past those portraits for over eighty years...I grew up in that house, you know, but I never really looked at them -- not right at them. I wondered how many of my ancestors could say they were content with the lives they led. Maybe it was 3 a.m. or the bottle of Sherry talking but I saw a certain sadness, an emptiness in all their faces, over all the centuries and wondered must happiness always be a casualty of Royal life and then I pictured James, as an older man... as King, with that same look in his eyes... VICKY (entering in a robe) Hold on, I missed some of this.. is this a dream or..? ALI No, sh-sh! QUEEN ANNE It was like a dream in a way because I realized I could, in fact, change the future. (gathers herself) I have decided I shall give my consent to James to marry you. (Ali is floored) VICKY (hugs Ali, then) Your majesty, I knew you were wonderful. Now don’t let this shabby flat and that ratty outfit (MORE) 127. VICKY (CONT'D) she has on, throw you. This is a fabulous future Queen. A girl with a big brain and a huge heart. Just like you, ma’am. QUEEN ANNE I imagine when I announce this, the commonwealth will stand behind me. VICKY Are you kidding? They’ll be thrilled. Shows ‘em you can accept someone just like them into the family. It’s absolutely brill. QUEEN ANN Yes, always good to surprise them once in a while. ALI (crosses to the Queen) Thank you. The Queen rises, does her best to hug. Vicky sort of nudges them closer together. QUEEN ANNE (wipes another tear) You know I was your age when I became Queen. ALI Yeah, James mentioned that. QUEEN ANNE I had no apprenticeship at all. It was thrust upon me when my father died. You will have many years to learn the job and many excellent teachers. I have no daughters so I suppose I can teach you a few things. ALI That would be an honor. QUEEN ANNE Now, my hope is, I can announce this news in some way that James hears and brings him home. VICKY (walks to the table) Yes! We should tweet it! QUEEN ANNE Sorry, was she speaking to me? 128.

Vicky returns with her laptop. ALI She was suggesting you announce it on Twitter. But I don’t think you tweet. Do you? QUEEN ANNE Of course not. Wouldn’t begin to know how. Does that reach a lot of people very quickly? CUT TO:

AN IPHONE ON A NIGHT STAND It pings a crazy amount of times. A MAN’S HAND reaches out for it. We realize we are:

INT. HUGH’S APT - THAT MORNING Just waking up, Hugh looks over at his phone with only one eye open. He sees he’s received a ton of texts and emails that are talking about Twitter. He checks Twitter. His home page is bursting with one particular tweet. CLOSE - ON THE TWEET From -- The Queen @thequeen. The ICON PHOTO is an official photo of the Queen wearing her crown. THE TWEET: Absolutely delighted to announce the engagement of Prince James, Duke of Cambridge, to Alexandra Padget. #RoyalWedding View Photo The PHOTO is CLICKED and we SEE a PHOTO of Queen Anne and Ali smiling together for the camera. HUGH It’s happening...

INT. HUGH’S LIVING ROOM - A.M. Someone is asleep on the couch, under a blanket and turned away from Camera. We can see from the coffee table that some heavy drinking went down here last night. Hugh sits on the edge of the coffee table, taps the sleeping figure. HUGH Hey, guess who’s getting married? The sleeping body turns and it’s James. 129.

JAMES (half asleep) Who? Hugh shows the tweet to James who breathes an enormous sigh of relief. CUT TO:

INT. ST. JAMES PALACE DRAWING ROOM - MUSIC OVER A Photocall is about to start. James and Ali ENTER to be officially photographed as an engaged couple. A non-stop BARRAGE OF FLASHES. Ali and James giggle as they look at one another. Ali shows the press her ring as they smile for the Cameras. As CREDITS BEGIN, we get a glimpse of what’s next.

A LONDON STORE WINDOW - MUSIC OVER is filled with commemorative tea towels and dishes with Ali and James’s faces on them. CAMERA FINDS a GLASS with Ali’s smiling face on it. Vicky walks by, spots the glass...has to have it.

INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY - MUSIC OVER The Queen, Ali, James and the Ali’s Parents, Stacey and Billy, sit around a table in the Queen’s private quarters. JAMES (showing a list of names) Okay, Ali and I have a hundred and ten guests. BILLY (shows his list) We have 70...could cut it down to 50. QUEEN ANNE (handed a ream of paper) I have 1700. Ali’s Dad reaches for his water. QUEEN ANNE I’m sure we could cut it down to 1500. Billy politely smiles, starts downing his water 130.

EXT. PALACE GROUNDS - SAME TIME Harper, Ali’s sister, and Alfie walk the grounds. ALFIE I’m thinking Vegas for the bachelor party. HARPER I’m thinking Vegas for the Bachelorette party. Isn’t there like a Vegas of Europe you could go to. I mean, we’re Americans. Vegas is ours. ALFIE You’re bossy. I like that. What are you doing tonight?

INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE CORRIDOR - DAY - MUSIC OVER James and Ali walk hand in hand. JAMES -- We’ll just meet the Wedding Planning Team, see if we like their ideas... ALI -- It’s a whole team? JAMES It is a Royal Wedding. ALI Right. They reach a door which is opened for them and they face a CONFERENCE ROOM with 75 PEOPLE sitting around the table -- The Royal Wedding Team. They all rise and applaud as James and Ali enter.

INT. ALI’S FLAT - NIGHT Ali and James sit in front of Ali’s computer. JAMES Okay, what are we doing here? ALI We’re registering at Williams- Sonoma. JAMES And what do they sell? 131.

ALI Dishes. Pots and pans. JAMES This is what normal people do? ALI Yes. JAMES Okay, let’s do it. I like that crock pot. ALI Me too! JAMES What does it do? In the background, the Padgets enter with bags from Burger King.

INT. PALACE BALLROOM - ANOTHER NIGHT The Black Eyed Peas sing I Gotta A Feeling -- LIVE -- IN THE PALACE! On the dance floor -- James and Ali. ALI I can’t believe they’re auditioning to be our wedding band. JAMES We could get a local band - someone more normal. ALI No! This is amazing. Come on. I mean, it is a Royal Wedding! And with that, James takes Ali’s hand and dances with her in the center of the empty ballroom. One by one, the others arrive and join them. Harper and Alfie, Billy and Stacey, the Queen arrives, checking out the band. Her shoulders start to move... And last is George who enters with a lovely looking 58 year old. The Queen checks her out. Obviously, she’s the old flame - Jane Phillips. Everyone dances in the center of this enormous room as credits roll and we... FADE OUT:

132. 133.