At last the day had arrived when the Dohertys were to attend the Garden Tea Party at Buckingham Palace. Joe had been at work at the Embassy for most of the day and arrived home at three in the afternoon to change into his dress uniform and escort Lucy to Buckingham Palace.
Lucy had been getting ready since ten that morning. She had planned her outfit down to what lingerie she would wear. The Embassy’s brand new 1911 Cadillac was due to collect them at 3.30 pm and drop them off at the entrance.
At 3.30 p.m. sharp the car arrived and at 3.50 they were walking through Grosvenor Gardens Gate.
There were people everywhere walking in the gardens or talking in groups, but Lucy felt a little disappointed to see all these people attending - she felt her chances of actually meeting the Royals had diminished.
Joe and Lucy made their way to a white marquee to get a cup of tea and a dainty sandwich. They spoke to a few other visitors, mainly about the weather being so good for the occasion.
Suddenly the chitchat ceased as the King and Queen entered the gardens. It seemed a very informal walk through the gardens, chatting to their guests, with the odd smile or even laughter.
Joe and Lucy could not believe their eyes. The royal couple were heading their way and it seemed like the King was making a beeline for Joe. Sure enough both the King and Queen of England were standing directly in front of them.
‘I see you are an American Naval Officer?’
‘That’s correct, your Majesty.’
‘So, what brings you to our fair shores?’
‘I am the Naval Attaché, Sir.’
‘Are you now? So you would be very interested in our new Dreadnoughts, would you not?’
‘They are a fine Battleship, Sir.’
‘Yes, so I believe. What’s your name, Captain?’
‘Captain Joseph Doherty, Sir.’
‘Irish stock no doubt. Captain, I would be keen to be briefed by you and get your opinion on where you see the naval build-up heading. Would you be available to come back next week?’
‘Your Majesty, I would be honoured. I would need to get clearance from Naval HQ in Washington, but I am sure they would approve.’
‘I’ll get somebody in touch with you.’
‘Good day to you Captain.’
For the entire time that King George was talking to Joe, the Queen was chatting to Lucy about America and how she enjoyed living in London. Lucy was over the moon and Joe didn’t know what to think.
Lucy could not wait for the Friday Gin Rummy game so she could boast to her girl friends about her conversation with the Queen. Joe on the other hand did not mention his conservation with the King to anybody other than his commander in Washington.
He got approval with some provisos to meet with King George and discuss his views in relation to the naval build-up.
A message was delivered to the Embassy on the Monday following the garden party. It was from the King’s secretary requesting he come to the palace the following Monday. He didn’t disclose this to Lucy, as she would have trouble not divulging it to her friends. He would tell her after the meeting.
Joe arranged for an Embassy car to take him to the palace where he was met by Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur John Bigge, 1st Baron Stamfordham; the King’s private secretary.
He was led down a magnificent hall to enter the King’s private office. This was not just an office; it was quite large and had bookcases enclosing three sides. It overlooked some magnificent gardens. Various priceless paintings adorned the walls and the desk was something to behold - an eighteenth-century Chippendale originally made for King George III.
Captain Doherty was invited to sit on the leather lounge and wait for the King to appear. He didn’t have to wait too long before George entered his office and shook the hand of the young American officer.
‘Captain Doherty, the reason I asked you here was to discuss the alarming build-up of armed forces in Germany and her ally Austria-Hungary. I am also concerned about the Turks. I am sure your government is also alarmed, although perhaps not as concerned as we British.’
‘What is it, your Majesty, that you wish from me?’
‘Well, you are the Naval Attaché. You must be keeping a close eye on things, certainly from a naval point of view.’
‘Yes Sir, my role is to ensure the United States interests are protected in this region. I therefore am required to report back to Washington any significant changes in fleet sizes and improvements in warship design.’
‘Ah, so what have you reported back in relation to our new Dreadnoughts?’
‘I reported back that these were the most modern powerful warships currently afloat.’
‘Yes, they are a formidable war machine, aren’t they?’
‘They certainly are. That’s why the Germans are rushing to build enough Dreadnoughts to bolster their own fleet.’
‘Are they? I didn’t know that. Captain, you have just made our meeting worthwhile. Are there any other nations building new battleships at a great rate?’
‘Certainly: Austria-Hungary, France and Italy. These nations don’t yet have the numbers and will probably never get to Germany’s fleet size.’
‘What about Great Britain?’
‘Great Britain has the largest fleet afloat and shall remain the largest for the foreseeable future. Britannia Rules the Waves.’
‘Yes, of course. Thank you Captain. I have enjoyed our meeting. Most informative. Lieutenant-Colonel Bigge will show you out.’
Joe left the palace with a sense of bewilderment. Why hadn’t his own Prime Minister briefed the King on the arms race in Europe? The King’s level of knowledge could have been gained by any of his subjects reading The Times.
He decided not to tell Lucy about his private meeting with King George; he knew she would not be able to keep it confidential. He loved his wife madly, but knew her weakness was gossip. By the end of the week the whole of London and Washington would know.
King George V made it known to the Prime Minister that he was to be briefed on the build-up to World War I and right through the war.
