I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.

We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.

Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.

They are not royal. They just happen to have me as their aunt.

Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.