It was recorded using old microphones from the EMI archives, used by the royal family, in order to create a vintage and dated sound.

[1] He initially used a limited chamber orchestra for the score, comparing what Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Ludwig van Beethoven had approached for.

To create a dated sound, the score was recorded on old microphones extracted from the EMI archives which had been specially made for the royal family, suggested by the mastering engineer Peter Cobbin.

"[3] The music played during the broadcast of the 1939 radio speech at the climax of the film is from the 2nd movement (Allegretto) of Beethoven's 7th Symphony; it was added by Tariq Anwar, the editor.

Desplat's piano figures tend to be at the fore, tinkling lightly, supported by the London Symphony Orchestra set to a low heat.

"[12] Sibylla Robertson of Limelight Magazine said "With a simple piano melody and just a whisp of strings, Desplat manages to convey the restrained angst and regal grandeur of the film’s hero.

"[14] Filmtracks.com wrote "The King's Speech is an effortless listening experience that, due to the chamber-like ensemble size and/or the obscured recording, will not stir trouble for a moment during its half hour on album (which is rounded off by nine minutes of two Beethoven pieces used for pivotal scenes).

[17] Writing for Far Out, Swapnil Dhruv Bose on revisiting the film after 10 years, still felt that "The wonderful score from Alexandre Desplat contributes immensely to this atmospheric tension".