Their peace, tranquility, and respective modes of concentration were broken by the excited entry of a royal messenger. You could be excused for thinking that he had arrived over 200 years early for an audition for Robin Hood Men In Tights.
The tight clad messenger hesitated before the King, seemingly unsure of whether to bow or curtsy. It was not clear whether this was caused by uncertainty over his own sexuality, or that he had been out of the country so long he had forgotten the refinements of British court life. He bowed.Your Highness, he said, breathlessly. I have grievous news from the Americas.
The King looked puzzled for a moment, but Prince George ignored his Game Boy and started to pay attention. Finally, the King said:
The Americas? Is that one of my domains?
Yes, your Highness, it is the 13 American colonies.
Aah, said the King, since I past the 100 mark Ive had trouble remembering them all.
The news is not good, the messenger resumed. It seems that some strange illness, a virus, has hit the whole population. It has had a terrible effect, your Highness. It has affected their vocal chords. All the population is affected.