The Queen’s letter had indeed thrilled him, and later he proudly showed it to his doctor, Lord Moran, along with a copy of his own response. Moran described Churchill’s reply as “a remarkable document with its poise, proportion and sense of detachment” as it set out the circumstances of his illness and “spoke of his plight as he lay in bed as if it had happened to someone else”. Despite his frank assessment of his predicament, he told the Queen that he was not without hope that he might be able to remain in post until the autumn. At the time, even those friends would have conceded this was wishful thinking.
On August 14, Elizabeth asked Churchill and his wife to join her to watch the St Leger race, in which her horse Aureole was a leading contender, and to travel with her afterwards on the royal train to stay for a few days at Balmoral. As soon as the very personal invitation arrived, Churchill replied immediately to accept, saying it was a “delightful prospect”. He told her his doctors thought he was progressing steadily and echoed her racing joke from earlier that year, saying he hoped to be in “close attendance” on her, despite not having any horses running in the St Leger himself.
But he was not yet out of the woods. His doctors and Clementine remained worried that he was not strong enough to return to the full demands of the premiership. Clemmie tried to persuade him to abandon the trip. She said that at the races he would be watched by “anxious and curious crowds”, who would notice if he had difficulty walking or could not stand in the Queen’s presence. As for Balmoral, she feared he was not yet up to a night on the train.
Her advice was given with love and concern, but her husband was not to be moved. He was determined not to let down the Queen, or the viewing public.
When the royal party arrived at the races, first the Queen and then Churchill were cheered as they got out of their cars. After they had taken the lift up to the Royal Box, the Queen emerged on to the balcony to fresh cheering, while Churchill stayed back inside. Turning to him, Elizabeth said, “They want you,” and as he joined her, he later recounted proudly: “I got as much cheering as she did.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
