When old King George the Fifth was dead
his heir apparent, Edward, said
“I’ve met a Yankee socialite
who keeps me happy every night.
Being King is overrated”
And then he promptly abdicated

Ed’s brother and his young wife Lizzie
were thrown into a frightful tizzy.
They wanted life as it had been
and not to be the King and Queen.
A quiet life spent at Clarence House
or Sandringham, out shooting grouse
now seemed an empty aspiration.

They had a duty to the nation
but took to it like ducks to water.
A fine example for their daughter
who’s carried on in similar vein
throughout her long illustrious reign
with faithful husband there for her
the doughty Duke of Edinburgh

But on her diamond jubilee
a thought has just occurred to me
Does she think what might have been
if she had not been made the Queen
by uncle Edward’s wayward ways
in those unsettled pre-war days?