is still handsome, and like all the Orleans family, quite good company,” the Prime Minister recorded), and were steaming towards Gibraltar. A few hours before they arrived a wireless message was received from Lord Knollys with the information that the King had become gravely ill and was in a critical condition. On arrival at Gibraltar Asquith discovered that the 72 hours in which Enchantress could return to Plymouth was, surprisingly, less than the journey would take by train. He therefore ordered an immediate turn-round. A short time after they had left, in the early hours of Saturday, May 7th, he received a further message, this time from the new King George V, informing him that King Edward was dead. Later he recorded—for publication—his thoughts on that night: I went up on deck, and I remember well that the first sight that met my eyes in the twilight before dawn was Halley’s comet blazing in the sky.... I felt bewildered and indeed stunned. At a most anxious moment in the fortunes of the State, we had lost, without warning or preparation, the Sovereign whose ripe experience, trained sagacity, equitable judgment, and unvarying consideration, counted for so much.
