Recap
As King George VI is too ill to travel, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip take his place on a tour of the Commonwealth, a journey expected to take several months. Churchill is still Prime Minister, but younger colleagues are rebelling. As the king dies during this episode, which happened on February 6, 1952, it probably takes place some point at the end of 1951 through the beginning of 1952.
Reactions
How sunny Kenya is compared to England! I am so glad no elephants were shot during the episode; I hope none were murdered during the real visit.
We’re reminded repeatedly how different attitudes were then compared to now: Princess Elizabeth talks of the area having been “savage” before, a negative word compared to the neutral “wilderness” that would be acceptable today; Prince Philip teases a local king about his hat, not comprehending it is a crown; after Elizabeth becomes Queen, a local kneels before her and literally kisses her feet. But these behaviors and attitudes were taken for granted back then, especially by the Raj (and yes, I know that term comes from India and not Africa). And these different attitudes and behaviors are not confined to white vs non-white. The new Queen Elizabeth has to walk in front of her husband, a matter of precedence, and her elderly grandmother, Queen Mary — who so far has had much more personality than Queen Elizabeth’s mother — makes a deep curtsy to show her respect.
Churchill, who feels with some justification that he saved England from Hitler, uses that conviction to behave pretty badly. He refuses to yield power although he is ageing. He compels his new secretary, Venetia Scott, to read papers to him through the door while he is taking a bath. I believe his habits were often inappropriate, but this last seems rather impractical.
I felt real grief at the death of George VI, especially the despair of the three female relatives in his household: daughter, wife and even his mother. How awkward it was for everyone – including the BBC – that Elizabeth could not be reached immediately to be informed of her father’s death and her accession. I am surprised she had no black dress with her, but that appears to be true; I can understand why they rushed one to her. The casual skirts and frocks seemed completely out of place after the news.
Queen Mary’s letter to her granddaughter lets us know the theme of the series exactly: the struggle to be a monarch when you want to be a person. No subtlety here! But perhaps subtlety does not belong to a docuseries.
I had chills at the end when Churchill explained how he, whose childhood had been spent under Queen Victoria, took comfort in being able to say again, “God Save the Queen.”
Bits and pieces
The special crown in this episode is a local king’s headdress in Kenya.
Attempted to figure out the significance of the episode’s title, “Hyde Park Corner,” as did several others on the internet — without success. My guess it’s just some place someone on the show liked and decided to use it as a code name — but that’s a guess. If anyone out there knows better, please put it in the comments.
Alas, the letter from Queen Mary, to dear Lilibet, seems to have been a fabrication.
Queen Mary says she has seen three monarchies brought down by personal indulgence. One was obviously her eldest son’s, who preferred Wallis Simpson to his kingship. Were the other two George V and George VI, who both died early because of smoking?
Quotes
Elizabeth II: It’s not a hat. It’s a crown.
Churchill: You need to be a monster to defeat Hitler!
Churchill: Unless you have X-ray vision, you need to open it, so as to tell me what’s in it.
Philip: Why does everybody think, just because we’re royal, we like fine dining? Don’t they realize we’re savages?
Queen Mary: While you mourn your father, you must also mourn someone else: Elizabeth Mountbatten. For she has now been replaced by another person, Elizabeth Regina.
Overall rating
Intrigued, interested, and learning lots. Like it plenty — but can’t say I love it. Three African headdresses out of four.
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Victoria Grossack loves birds, math, Greek mythology, Jane Austen and great storytelling in many forms.
"Queen Mary says she has seen three monarchies brought down by personal indulgence. One was obviously her eldest son’s, who preferred Wallis Simpson to his kingship. Were the other two George V and George VI, who both died early because of smoking?"
ReplyDeleteI assumed that was a references to the Russian, German and Austrian monarchies, all three of which were brought down during Queen Mary's lifetime. Edward's abdication was undoubtedly damaging to the Royal Family, but is not really seen as something that brought down the monarchy.
But were they brought down by personal indulgence?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the Austrian Emperor, but Wilhelm II almost certainly suffered from a serious case of personal indulgence, while there is little doubt that the Romanovs placed themselves before the well-being of their country.
ReplyDeleteYour interpretation is certainly more precise than mine, because you are correct, the monarchies ended, not just the reigns of particular rulers. I appreciate this series because I am learning relatively recent history - but The Crown doesn't explain everything.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that sometimes when it does explain things if often feels forced, like when Elizabeth's assistant explains to her what a regal name is, something she would absolutely certainly know.
ReplyDeleteMark, you are right that the exposition is often a little too exposed - something that comes up in the next review or two.
ReplyDeleteIt's so awful that Elizabeth's father has died unexpectedly but her grief for him must be overshadowed by the Crown.
ReplyDeleteWhat also stood out for me, other than how interesting Philip's subordinate role was in everything that happened, was the King saying that Albert Windsor was murdered by his elder brother when he abdicated. That was a pretty strong statement, murder. And the King telling Eden that he had to be patient and wait for his time, but Elizabeth didn't get that waiting period.
I was also trying to imagine my grandmother bowing to me, and I couldn't. :)
The word murder is strong, but we should remember that George VI means his private persona, who was known as Bertie Windsor, not an actual death. More on that in the review of the next episode.
ReplyDelete"Hyde Park Corner" was the codename for the death of King George VI. It was used so the switchboard operators wouldn't learn the news too soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that information, Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteHyde Park Corner
ReplyDeleteHyde Park Corner (site of 145-146 Piccadilly), London: unexecuted designs for a house for the 2nd Earl of Shelburne, c1761 (9)
the code word for King George VI was Hyde Park Corner, this is the exact area where the Duke and Duchess of York lived with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret before he became King George VI.
Lots and lots of tears. But, what I found most compelling was that last shot. I don't think it was until she witnessed her grandmother (a formidable woman by anyone's standards) bowing to her that it had completely sunk in for Elizabeth that she is now queen. The look on her face was compelling. Great job Claire Foy!
ReplyDelete