– in the House of Commons at on 22 June 1939.
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty assuring His Majesty, on the occasion of His return from Canada, Newfoundland and the United States of America, of the loyal and affectionate welcome of this House to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen.
Seven weeks ago, it was my privilege to move that an humble Address be presented to His Majesty on the eve of his departure for Canada with Her Majesty the Queen, assuring him of the affection and deep interest with which this House would follow their progress during their journey. At that time all of us anticipated that this memorable visit would be accompanied by scenes of the greatest enthusiasm. I think it is no exaggeration to say that the demonstrations of loyalty and affection by the crowds which flocked together to welcome Their Majesties at every point of their journey have exceeded the utmost expectations. Thanks to the Press and the radio and the news reels, we have been able to follow every detail of Their Majesties' progress almost as if we had been present ourselves. We have been able to see with our own eyes how in Canada, and in Newfoundland later on, the visit has demonstrated in a most impressive manner not only the significance of the Crown in the British Commonwealth of Nations, but how loyalty to the Crown in the abstract has been translated into a personal feeling of affection for Their Majesties, a feeling which has been generated by seeing the simple, kindly and human qualities which we know are characteristic of our King and Queen.
When Their Majesties crossed the frontier of the United States, that magnificent welcome they received from the President and the American people outdistanced all precedents, and must have delighted Their Majesties' hearts. I am certain that it afforded profound gratification to Their Majesties' subjects throughout the Empire, and I can speak for the people of this country when I say that we have all been profoundly moved by the warmth of this greeting, which we acclaim both as a personal tribute to the King and Queen, and also as a striking proof of the sympathy and friendship which animate the feelings of the peoples of the United States and the United Kingdom. You have told us, Sir, that there will be an adjournment this afternoon, when hon. Members will have an opportunity—of which I know they will desire to take full advantage—of expressing their own personal feelings of loyalty to Their Majesties when they pass this House. I hope we shall not forget to express our appreciation of the exertions of all those who, throughout this long journey, covering so many thousands of miles on sea and on land, have given ceaseless care to the wellbeing and safety of Their Majesties.
The visit which Their Majesties paid to the United States opens, I believe, a new chapter in the relations between this country and the American Republic. It proves that blood is thicker than water. But it proves even more the brotherhood of peoples who live under the flag of freedom and democracy. The enthusiastic welcome of the United States, to which the Prime Minister has referred, was, I believe, the outpouring of the pent-up feelings of a great people desiring to make known their fundamental unity of purpose with Britain and her sister nations. There is for the world as a whole profound significance in the reception which the King and Queen received. It was, as the Prime Minister has said, a tribute to the personal charm and the friendliness of Their Majesties, but it also expressed the real kinship of the English-speaking peoples, and although one is a Republic and the other a Constitutional Monarchy, it proved that there is a real understanding, that they are facing common problems, sharing common ideals, desiring what all men and women of good will desire—the maintenance of peace and of freedom, and the establishment of enduring prosperity in the world. I feel that no words of mine are adequate to express what I believe to be the real significance of this visit. It may have—may it be so—more far-reaching results in maintaining peace and friendliness in the world, than we know. For that we greet them back home amongst us.
of that great Dominion, have invested the Crown, as the vital link between the peoples of the British Commonwealth, with fresh human and simple meaning. In the United States they were the good neighbours of the people of the United States paying a visit, and we have all been deeply moved by the striking demonstrations of friendship and understanding with which they were greeted—a friendship which is none the less real because it is not exclusive, but is one in which every peace-loving nation may share. So we welcome home our King and Queen with pride in their achievements and with gratitude for the service which they have rendered both to their faithful subjects and to the cause of peace and understanding between the peoples of the world.