The Queen Is Alerted About the Forming Coup | The Crown (Olivia Colman, Jason Watkins)

[@echoesofwar]

Love how the writing explores the dual sides of Queen Elizabeth in the series... the one that wonders and yearns for a life she once dreamt of and her role as monarch and queen. You can see how it transitions the moment she takes the call.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

The abruptness of that collision, the stakes, and the extreme contrast between her identities is the essence of the scene, yes

[@adzisme]

In this scene, she essentially admits what she wanted. When she was a Princess, and she was on the tour with Phillip, she was a carefree young married woman. That life ended on that tour.

[@e.jenima7263]

Funnyly enough King George III was the same he never wanted to be a King he just wanted to live o a farm or estate and grow fruit and vegetables and tend to his horses.

[@goodcitizen3027]

There were very few people that she could let her hair down with. Porchie was one. Her dresser was another. Which is why King Chuck took her grace and favor home from her and would not give her another one until she signed a stringent NDA. She know ALL THE DIRT about all of them.

[@RobertodelaVega-t3w]

It makes me wonder... did she set up Mountbatten to get blown up by the IRA because he was a pain in the neck for her?

[@markc7440]

I knew someone, old guy, ex Forces, who got to go to a couple of those really big State dinners. He said that one of the Queen's favourite topics to talk to embassadors and other dignatories was the trucks that she and Margaret had worked on during WWII. In part it was because it was a totally neutral subject, and partly because she really did have favourite brands of spark plugs and other parts. Apparently her staff had to try to stop her more than once from fixing (or trying to fix) land rovers up on the Balmoral estate.

[@ThomasCarney-r9v]

I could see her under the hood of a Land Rover.....

[@remaguire]

I hope they were unsuccessful in stopping her.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

My college friend said the Queen and Prince Phillip at an event came over to talk to his parents and said to them "I thought we would come over and talk to the tall people", lol, his dad was 6'6 and mom like 6', they were extremely nice he said.

[@matthewcaughey8898]

@@remaguire most folks of that era learned to do stuff like that. They taught me about work ethic and a sense of duty. I’ve never forgotten it. I’m sure the queen adapted to her situations as they came up. Given her long lifespan and war service

[@brianshepherd9927]

😂😂😂

[@PeteDavidson-yl3ps]

Olivia cleaned houses for a living, prior to her screen/acting success, said she so enjoyed cleaning houses, what a humble person.....

[@mariahoulihan9483]

she is lovely.

[@fayesouthall6604]

Watch her in Hot Fuzz she’s so funny and very rude.

[@bonusgolden12]

She did not do justice to the late Queen.

[@franciscoojeda8986]

Olivia Coleman is brilliant. I could watch her for days and still beg the heavens for more time in the week. What an extraordinary actress. I live in fortunate days.

[@claudiamanta1943]

Olivia is very good. Here- she is outstanding! 👏

[@hillarydesmond-mcnaughton8839]

She is my favorite Queen Elizabeth for The Crown.

[@paulashe61]

It’s just Tv

[@alanmichael5619]

incredible to think that she came from a comedy background and used to be best known for Peep Show!

[@Nintendo64pro]

​@@alanmichael5619I'm a kiwi and only know her as Sophie. May have to give this series a watch

[@GeneralZodFDNY77]

"Drink up, Porchy. We're going home."

[@jonathandonley3299]

Her facial expressions during the phone call and afterwards were all you needed to know that Her Majesty was big mad at Dickie.

[@latinguy67]

ROFL!! Not big mad!

[@boxsterman77]

There’s no reason to believe this isn’t how it happened. But do keep in mind you are watching a creative portrayal-full of we creative license.

[@Weaselszone]

@@boxsterman77 At the same time, there is no reason to believe this is how it happened. A creative portrayal is just another term for made-up based on educated guesses.

[@KevinNerfs]

@@boxsterman77Apart from the fact that most evidence suggests that when the coup was suggested to Mountbatten, he told the plotters that it was treason and left.

[@bonusgolden12]

..which is completely out of character for the late Queen.

[@phyllisvince569]

The music, after the phone call, really adds to the scene.

[@PV-uk5xi]

It reminds me a bit the music from the film Inception

[@chetthehoss]

Time and time again, they try to paint Queen E II as being the accidental monarch. She was ALWAYS going to be the Queen. Edward had no heirs, and Wallace was incapable of giving him any. Even IF he held the crown until he died, she was going to be Queen. There was never a chance that she wouldn't be.

[@mattb8754]

She would not have been queen because he was never going to be allowed to marry Wallis Simpson. If he had played the game that was expected of him, he would have married who he was directed to marry, produced an heir, and kept Wallace Simpson as a side chick.

[@tarawrr20]

There was always the chance Edward VIII would have come to his senses and married someone who could give him heirs.

[@andrasbalogh4291]

Well, if Edward VII would have married someone whose children would have been accepted as his heirs, then she wouldn't have have been Queen.

[@commodorezero]

@@tarawrr20 But that was not expected to happen. And Edward was in his 40s when he got the throne. Elizabeth was "in line" to get the throne. This means if nothing changes you eventually get the throne. Changes were of course possible. But in this case said change were not expected. Another thing was there are rumors Edward was sterile and this was a contributing factor to his insistence on marrying Wallis. The idea being if you cant have heirs your spouse is irelevant.

[@nikoking825]

And George V always hoped Edward wouldn't have children. He said he didn't want anything between "Bertie and Lilibet" from being on the throne.

[@jeffersonkee6440]

Oddly enough, if Edward VIII had not abdicated, whether he married Wallis or not, he would have reigned until he died in 1972, and Elizabeth would have still inherited the throne as a middle-aged woman, and she and her immediate family would have had a more 'normal' life for another thirty years.

[@johnhagans2190]

You just gave me something to ponder. Poor Margret might have been able to marry her first love.

[@kalinastachel1425]

@@johnhagans2190 Unfortunately no. She still was no further than 5th to the throne so marriage's act was in power over her.

[@johnquarto]

BUT, the Royal Marriage Act specifies that the monarch decides on the approval. In this hypothetical, with Edward still King, he is the one to make the decision to allow the marriage to Peter Townsend or not. The thing is, if Margaret had violated the Act and married without Elizabeth's permission (or Edward in this case), the way I understand the Act on casual reading is that it nullifies the marriage and any children from it, but it wouldn't have removed Margaret herself from the succession line. Maybe I'm wrong on that last part, or maybe she loses her royal titles and perks (The Crown implies this was important to Margaret)....but if she ends up becoming Queen those would all come back and she could (re)marry who she wishes. (No such luck for any kids though, her becoming Queen would not legitimize them without an act of Parliament)

[@michaelwhittaker5432]

A excellent point most people miss ,she would have still becone Queen

[@toomignon]

and the UK very well may have ended up as a German satellite or Edward would have been removed forcibly. Edward was a Nazi sympathizer.

[@kjdkauri]

Some powerful acting from Jason Watkins as Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

[@shubhuful]

I was surprised to see Cabbage Patterson as PM!

[@joshmccollen700]

The look on Porchy's face said it all. The Queen basically acknowledged the "what might have been" between the two of them.

[@Rumkitty2000]

Nope. She and Porchy were never going to be anything more. than friends. Phillip was the only man she ever loved.

[@joshmccollen700]

But would she have ever met Philip if her uncle hadn't abdicated? If the abdication hadn't radically changed her life and her private expectations? She'd have lived the life of a distant cousin apart from the pageantry of royal life. In that context, she and Porchy would have been an ideal match. That's the context of the conversation. @@Rumkitty2000

[@Rumkitty2000]

@joshmccollen700 Yes. Phillip was Uncle"Dickie" Mountbatten's nephew and lived with him during school holidays. She and Phillip are 3rd or 4th cousins. Mountbatten would have. Engineered a meeting one way or another. Elizabeth would still be Heir to the Throne, and Lord Mountbatten was very ambitious. They first .met at a wedding before the war at age 13. He was 18. .Mountbatten would still have gotten Elizabeth to be escorted around a Naval ship by Phillip. She would still have been part of the group of young women 6 went to see It She was 16, and he was 20 or 21, then andhe asked if she. Could write to her. The rest is. History!

[@iluop3623]

A classic case of kissing cousins😮

[@jtidema]

@@Rumkitty2000 Elizabeth wouldn't have been heir for long, if her uncle hadn't abdicated, he would have had to give up Wallis, and would have married someone who would likely have had his children.

[@chnalvr]

She was seething after that phone call. Right on the heels of having a moment of really enjoying part of a day. Imagine doing a job you didn't want or feel fully suited to do for 70+ years. She probably had countless moments like this when she thought, "Good golly! More of this crap?!"

[@robinholland1136]

She could have resigned . . .

[@welshpete12]

@@robinholland1136 OH no ! never it was not in her to do so!

[@fleurafricaine5740]

We all live lives punctuated by “Good golly!” moments.

[@jec1ny]

@@robinholland1136 Abdication was a dirty word in her book. This was a deeply religious woman who took oaths seriously. When she took the oath at her coronation, that was it. Once in, never out. Her job was for life.

[@thetruthhurts7675]

@@robinholland1136 No it is NOT that simple!! Resignation is for prime ministers, not the British monarchy. It took 2 years of statsis to change the monarchy before WW2. Now it would take longer!! You actually know so little you shouldn't comment!!

[@doody244]

You’d think Dickie would remember how easily monarchies can topple. He was born a prince. His father, also Louis, was in the British Navy. He renounced the family’s German royal titles during WWI at the behest of King George V. He changed the surname Battenberg to Mountbatten. He was created the 1st Marquess of Milford Haven for his service to the British Empire. Did Dickie, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, think the British royals were somehow immune?

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

He was a narcissist, Edward VIII's best pal, amoral, depraved and dissolute in his private life. He was Philip's uncle, frustrated that his nephew was not King, and was a major influence on Charles.

[@mariahoulihan9483]

his ambition knew no bounds. I think he felt he wanted to be on top where his family lost their German titles. I actually knew a RN Captain, now sadly passed away, who was his Aide de Camp at one time. Charming man. He liked him to work for and he socialised with him. he had a silver cigarette case on his and his wife's coffee table engraved for their wedding.. 'From Dickie and Edwina'. The retired RN Captain was a sweetie but drink got the better of him and we think that is why he never progressed past captain. Such a shame.

[@kincaidwolf5184]

Its not real this conversation never happened lol

[@doody244]

@@kincaidwolf5184 I know the Crown is scripted with much of it being pretend. I was merely saying that I think this character ought to know better about the fragility of monarchies. He wasn’t a fool but acted like one in this situation.

[@ricklarson392]

The unlived life - a sentiment to which all of us can relate.

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

HOW very tragically true. I can relate HORRIBLY well.🤯😵😭

[@onemercilessming1342]

"Life is full of god-damned 'if onlies.' " If only I could remember from where that quote originated. Google was no help.

[@veramae4098]

I have a hard time feeling sorry for rich people. Walking up those steps, I feel as if I'm seeing a battleship ready for war. Superb acting.

[@claudiamanta1943]

Yes. Wasted because of others lying. 🔥

[@mariahoulihan9483]

didn't she play the emotion so very well?

[@Lucky_Male_Bee]

My Dad & I passed Queen Elizabeth on one of her trips here in Lexington, KY in the 80s, headed out towards the horse farms. I was so little he had to explain to me who she was but I remember that day like yesterday. Never believed there would come a day both were not with us...

[@deanfirnatine7814]

I bet she was in heaven there in horse heaven Kentucky.

[@TheFiown]

That's why the Queen was so angry with people who didn't do their jobs or who complained. She didn't ask for her job but she did it and set aside any personal ambition. She was a hard woman, unforgiving even to her family but it has to be seen in context. The war in the middle of this made everything so much worse.

[@favoritevids8869]

Such good acting! You can really tell when “Elizabeth” left and “the Queen” came out. Ready to do business

[@CaptainKwame1773]

I love this reading of the scene. I felt the same way. Her being able to feel like Elizabeth at dinner, talking about horses, the "unlived life" is immediately removed in place of the Crown. The weight that Colman presents in that transition is why she was awarded for this role.

[@MarkJohnson-dr4ws]

Accidental monarch or not, Queen Elizabeth was a true monarch and leader. Even if accidental, we see that it is those who do not hunger for power that become true leaders.

[@knowz2367]

I wonder how she would have reacted if someone tried to take her throne. Elizabeth 2 didn't have that much obstacles in her reign, it was just hiccups here or there unlike Elizabeth 1.

[@appocalypsechild]

There's no such thing as a ''true monarch'' as they're ''chosen by god'' which is paradoxical since she was crowned by men. Ah yes she didn't hunger for it but she didn't give it up though did she? And who exactly did she lead? The Monarch has had no leadership abilities for over 150 years, all she did was live off the golden goose she was born with and dried a damp eye whenever she was told to. Genuinely can't get how people worship someone who was born into unfathomable wealth, from a family that killed to get their throne and is corrupt to the bloody core.

[@odysseusrex5908]

Even if Edward VIII had not abdicated, if he had had no children, as he didn't, she still would have become queen in 1972.

[@odysseusrex5908]

@Pontiflex_ No one expected Edward to abdicate much before it happened. A suitable marriage could have been arranged, although it could still have been childless. You never can tell.

[@odysseusrex5908]

@Pontiflex_ My point was that he might very well have had children. Yes, had he remained childless, she would have ascended in 1972, had he not . . .

[@mikethespike7579]

The best leaders are those that don't crave power and push themselves to the forefront. That's possibly the reason Elizabeth was such a good Queen. She never really wanted the job...

[@davidioanhedges]

“The major problem-one of the major problems, for there are several-one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” - Douglas Adams

[@chrisdickens4268]

Well if you ignore all the corruption (some legal) that landed aristocracy even now gets away with and all the problems that causes I think the figurehead bears some responsibility for never lifting a finger except when she needed to keep her family's tax affairs secret

[@mikethespike7579]

@@chrisdickens4268 The monarch hasn't got that kind of power that you're suggesting.

[@TryDiy]

Beware of those who crave power, better for the reluctant to reign than the wiling.

[@Enbionic_Titan]

It's always funny how other ppl who "nvr rlly want the job.." somehow know how to abdicate.

[@Bergen98]

You can see immediate change in her face when hearing about a "coup" saying "Oh did he? Oh YES? He is done"

[@OceanHedgehog]

What I like about the Crown is that it showed how Elizabeth’s personal brand of monarchy was so valuable to the UK during the 20th century. Through global upheavals and revolutions, through wars and technological innovations, Britain could have been swept up in it all during its rapid fall from superpower to secondary power. But Elizabeth’s quiet presence through it all was a stabilizing force that allowed Britain to accept its receding power with dignity.

[@evelynchen8372]

No it Ain't. We couldn't have done anything about our loss of power, queen or no. She just wasted our taxpayers money

[@brydenkelsey3257]

@@evelynchen8372🎪

[@moviereviews1446]

Britain was not a superpower after the second world war

[@kossttamojaan]

"Cahoots" is word you wished was used more often.

[@prairiedweller8917]

As an American, I thought only we used it. But it works in this context.

[@THE-X-Force]

_I was in cahoots with your mom last night._ Am I doing it right?

[@georgeschaut2178]

e.g., as in Michael Cohen was "in cahoots" with Donald Trump...George, Canada

[@moistmike4150]

@@georgeschaut2178 Actually, Mike Cohen was more in cahoots with Stormy, if you take my meaning.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

You wish it was used more often. I use it at every possible opportunity, which is perhaps 3-4 times annually (though I'm not sure exactly the number).

[@lizzystitch4842]

It's quite interesting that nearly every scene of The Crown has a clock ticking inthe background, not only because there are so many analog clocks in the Queen's residences, but also to impress upon us the importance of time in all of the doings and situations. Love the sound of a big, old, wooden-cased clock!

[@Rnankn]

The look on her face exudes more power than a general at the head of an army, and yet a few words by a duly elected PM remind us that the people have the power. Mountbatten’s initial instincts were spot on - a coup never had a chance.

[@macdonaldukah1680]

The choice of music for the scene, a tune composed for Philip's character but adapted in this instance, is felicitous. Aptly conveys the mood.

[@monmothma3358]

Yes, I really loved the music towards the end of this scene. Thanks for the info about it.

[@lexusdriver1963]

3:56 Leave it with me, Prime Minister. Basically Queen Elizabeth II says to the Prime Minister “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. I’ll handle this”.

[@dclark142002]

Elizabeth II had a lot of interesting shortcomings...but she understood very well exactly what the monarchy was in Great Britain during her lifetime. Ever since the Glorious Revolution, it has been Parliament who has had the real power...and a PM threatening to sicc the Republicans on the Royal House is not an idle threat, given the past history of the nations monarchy.

[@roscomeon3965]

She couldn't handle a piss up in the brewery. A dope.

[@jacobdenness8659]

There has and there will always be a rebpublicion element within the Labour Party but as long as the royals tow the line things are fine.

[@roscomeon3965]

​@jacobdenness8659 This wasn't about Republicans in the Labour party. It was about a corrupt Royal Earl Mountbatten and other senior Royals conspiring with right wing Facists , many of them ex Army to overthrow the democratically elected Government. Fact.

[@Lazmanarus]

@@jacobdenness8659 Toe the line, not tow, it comes from scratching a line in the sand & standing with your toe touching the line & daring someone (an opponent) to do the same so you can slug it out between the two of you.

[@ivanpb1983]

Olivia Colman was the absolute Queen of this series.

[@kevinlatham5661]

catch her in Hot Fuzz. a small role but very entertaining. sorry if her character offends your sensibilities.

[@PrinceOfLillies]

I second the above recommendation 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Templar-w9j]

As do I hot fuzz is a great movie

[@TimBadger-w7d]

@@kevinlatham5661Sophie done well

[@SkinsNatsCaps]

Poor Porchy 😢😢😢

[@greentombdive]

I am sorry, but when she left the room I found myself in tears .. “the unlived life.” Also, a lesson in writing AND acting, from BOTH.

[@migdon470]

Thst moment of honesty that the Queen gave must have been a heart breaker to hear. To sit there and hear her express her thoughts

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Great writing... at the moment that the most personal yearning emerges for a normal life, a private life, the most serious kind of regal responsibility collides with her wishfulness, and she mercilessly steps into her other identity and the sacrifice it demands.

[@sikandermallu]

First of all can I just say that I loved the Queen's fashion choices in S3. From S4 onwards she's dressed like a dowdy frump. But here is a great example of the S3 late-60s early-70s aesthetic. The dress is loose, comfortable and flowery, but essentially has a black background, hints at the way her life as queen has been.

[@AzguardMike]

Lord Mount Batten also conspired to change the name of Windsor Mount Batten. Churchill took him to one side and had a "quiet" word with him.

[@studinthemaking]

What year did that happen in?

[@Freddie1980]

Don't believe everything you see and read. All the Mountbatten stories and purely hearsay with no factual evidence to back them up. Of course that's not going to stop writers for TV shows playing up these stories as it makes for compelling drama and when watching shows like the Crown that's exactly how you should take what's being said as a drama and not a documentary.

[@DDELE7]

@@studinthemakingshortly after Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952. Since she was a married woman to a man who by birth belonged to a foreign royal dynasty (the House of Oldenburg, of which the Kings of Norway and Denmark are family members) people assumed that the Windsor family had gone extinct as far as the British Crown is concerned. But due to intense lobbying behind the scenes by Queen Mary and others the Queen kept the name of the Royal Family as Windsor much to the annoyance of Prince Philip as he would be in his words “the only man in the country forbidden to give his children his name” (Later on Queen Elizabeth did make a statement in the early 60’s that descendants of the hers who’s not working Royals or without titles may use the surname “Mountbatten-Windsor” and indeed at times even senior royals have at times used that surname.)

[@jchavez789]

I cant believe he was annoyed by that. He married into the Royal Family, it should have been a given that Windsor would be the last name given to the heirs of the crown,.

[@RollsRod]

@@jchavez789it was a real life game of thrones. Makes sense that a deposed lineage would try to re-establish its roots through marriage in a more tolerant society

[@skarlocthewanderer1696]

When the Queen picks up the phone (at 02:30), the stairs above her are going down from the right side towards bottom left. On the next scene (at 03:11), stairs are in the opposite direction.

[@Kaede-Sasaki]

Stairs move in British castles. Haven't you seen Harry potter? 😂

[@michaelmontagu3979]

Maybe it's a double staircase?

[@stephencronin1080]

The life unlived. I feel that line

[@Thenogomogo-zo3un]

Alot of us can relate

[@mariahoulihan9483]

well written and well acted.

[@airdriver]

This episode reminds me of “Seven Days In May” by Fletcher Knebel and “A Very British Coup” by Chris Mullen. Both were made into movies and are very good books.

[@JCaroleClarke]

We came that close. Every American should watch that film "7 Days in May" to see how close we did come to being taken over. Even today the threat is from China and Islam but the weakness and laziness comes from within.

[@54blewis]

I remember both, and how I realized how vulnerable and fragile our society,government and hence our way of life truly is. I shudder to think of the condition we’re in now with the very same situation being presented to us today,without the same strength of character in our current leadership…

[@GeorgeAlexopoulos-o7w]

BOTH are GREAT! But ONLY "Seven Days in May" is a MOVIE! ("A Very British Coup" is an English TV SERIES that was on PBS on MASTERPIECE THEATER)

[@danielellis4749]

My recollection is that the "plot" was dismissed instantly by Mountbatten and so it died on the spot.

[@gargoyle7863]

Maybe. Maybe that's just the official story. 😅 One can never know.

[@algrant5293]

Until a little fishing holiday in Ireland.

[@davidhoward4715]

The plot was dismissed because it was discovered.

[@Kardia_of_Rhodes]

Kinda like how the Business Plot went down here in America. Was the idea floating around? Absolutely. Was is it being put into practice? Possibly. It was promptly dismissed the moment General Butler blew the whistle on it.@@davidhoward4715

[@Peter-Ac]

One of the involved must have, on reflection, considered it a move to far and grassed the others up Of course the kiddie fiddler would have denied it

[@allenbrady8083]

Olivia Colman is fantastic!

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

She is lovely....

[@jtidema]

Always, she's amazing.

[@bricktam]

This scene made me sad. Wilson was my favorite among her prime ministers because he seemed so lovable, his pronouncing of Margaret's limericks, and the way he opened up to the Queen. Here he sounds scary and convincing.

[@welshpete12]

And yet and yet , she became one of the best monarch's we ever had !!!

[@ReligiousAnon]

I love the last part of her going up the stairs mad and stewing over it.

[@ryant2418]

“Oh well enough self pity. If you’ll excuse me I have to get back to ruling a rather large portion of the planet.”

[@sikandermallu]

3:55 This was her "dracarys" moment. Her "Dark Phoenix" moment. My all-time favorite scene in the entire showrun. When she rises up those stairs, she strides like a wrathful, awe-inspiring goddess ready to unleash hellfire on all those who oppose her and those under her protection. Even the fact that she's in this loose, breezy dress in such contrast to her personality at the moment, almost seems to emphasize that a sleeping giant has been awoken. (May God have mercy on Cousin Dicky.) The niceties drop and she ignores everyone else around her. However, you left out the best part, which was, "Drink up, Porchy. We're going home." That was the moment when Porchy saw his darling Lillibet disappear, and Elizabeth Regina, his Queen now giving him a royal command.

[@flowerfaerie8931]

I mean I agree but your timestamp is completely off, might want to fix that.

[@sikandermallu]

@@flowerfaerie8931 Actually that was intended 😁. I wanted to start things with "Leave it with me, Prime Minister", as the moment when her vulnerabilities, regrets, and self-doubt drop, and then an entirely different 'personality' takes over.

[@Grimhorn]

man, that's a cringey post.

[@flowerfaerie8931]

@@sikandermallu Ah, I see. Nvm then.

[@thedukeofswellington1827]

Jason watkins nailed Harold Wilson...the look the voice, everything BBC did a really good docu on the coup attempt called 'the plot against Harold Wilson' it was free on yt but not sure if it still is

[@kevinrobb86]

"The un-lived life" never a truer word spoken

[@Trecesolotienesdos]

Colman was the best portrayer of the Queen.

[@Lord1Mackus]

Sure bro, start asking for her help by threatening her first.

[@vm2693]

Warning her, not threatening! And he was right to do so. He could have bypassed her all together, leak the story to the press and consolidate power. But he was decent enough to inform the head of state and have her resolve this family issue.

[@Lord1Mackus]

@@vm2693 Or he could've not antagonize someone who's help he's trying to enlist. Accusing someone as prominent and respected as Lord Mountbatten would be extremely serious, and could destroy prime minister who did so without proof. Leaking the plot anonymously would be just as bad, since it'd make it seen as if PM is clueless about mounting coup-de-etat. There are conflicting reports as to whether Mountbatten refused to participate in the plot from the get go, or was chief organizer and stood down only after queen commanded him to do so. Realistically in latter case, if Wilson did ask queen for help, he would have done so in far more respectful manner.

[@catsupchutney]

Even the Queen has regrets.

[@slicksalmon6948]

Some of series is so profoundly well done as to be beyond belief.

[@owestyo]

For anyone that doesn’t know, porchy’s home was highclere castle aka downtown abbey

[@alexeilindes7507]

"Just want to feel normal... now excuse me im going to plot something...dastardly!"

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

1:03 I really do empathise with the late Queen, being Irish in the U.K. myself and she was a wonderful woman - as an older gay man, I’ve went through similar experiences in my early life, so I can definitely see where she was coming from here 🇮🇪☘️🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😍🙏

[@deanfirnatine7814]

The best leaders are those who never really wanted that position but felt forced into either by circumstance like the Queen or because they felt responsibility to clean up the mess created by others.

[@jesusthroughmary]

Imagine how difficult it was for Wilson to make that phone call

[@rhyshigga]

I like how Elizabeth says "Leave it with me Prime Minister", cutting off what he was going to say because he was obviously about to suggest that the government move to abolish the monarchy of the UK, which even he thought unthinkable, only for Elizabeth to acknowledge in herself that it is indeed very much thinkable.

[@idraote]

I know nothing about the details, but imagine the human tragedy of a woman only wanting a quiet comfortable life at the side of an unassuming, unglamorous man. The tragedy of a man seeing the love of his life married to another, living a life he knows she didn't want to live and being unable to do anything.

[@prathamsaxena9503]

That is because even if her uncle hasn't abdicated the crown, She would have been his next successor after her father

[@Willigula]

Good Lord she’s good. What a scene.

[@tommiegirl2441]

They left out the best part - "Drink up, Porchy. We're going home." Damn, but Olivia Coleman was good. You could see her face and posture begin to change as soon as she heard the Prime Minister's voice, and at 3:58 the transformation was complete. Lillibet walked out of that room and Queen Elizabeth II came back, beautiful in her wrath and utterly in command. I bought every second.

[@eafcrealfaces]

As her uncle had no heir to the throne by my understanding, after his death she would've become Queen anyways.

[@sigmundfreudfilmchallenge626]

goddamn, this olivia woman can sure act.

[@justinp5661]

The Royal family was not hanging by a thread. So overly dramatic

[@mango2005]

There were Princess Margaret's controversies.

[@eroche12]

So well written and acted. And for me one of the best directed , acted etc eprisode. :-)

[@crhu319]

The drama of this scene is that she would have her own life back if she just let things unfold and a republic be formed that she accedes to. But she acts to preserve the institution that traps her, thus accepting her cage for the sake of stability.

[@glennhubbard5008]

The Queen should immediately have had Wilson taken to the Tower.

[@cherylhulting1301]

Why? He's actually demonstrating loyalty by asking for her intervention. If Wilson had wanted to perpetrate a republican upheaval he would simply have let Mountbatten try to play out his plan while working to protect his own power through the republican alliance. That would have been a much bigger mess for the monarchy and would have threatened the stability the Queen tried to maintain. It's far better for her to be given a chance to clean this up from the inside.

[@STScott-qo4pw]

The Tower was Her personal property. Wilson would have been far safer there. ​@@cherylhulting1301

[@raraavis7782]

Damn. I was so taken up by what was happening on screen, I flinched like a rabbit, when the sudden music started at the end 😂

[@Renville80]

Even if Her Majesty may have had some private resentment about being thrust into the role of sovereign, you cannot deny that she grew into the role such that the world stopped to shed a tear upon her passing. Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth II.

[@paulellis628]

The plot is artistic license. Lord Mountbatten understood the ramifications if he were to be involved in a political coup against the legitimate government as a senior member of the royal family. Also, I do not think the loyalty to the Crown that he and his father had before him could have allowed his allegiance to sway. Political intrigues and dysfunctions caused by World War I brought down the three great monarchies of the Dual Empire, the German Empire, and the Russian Empire, along with some lesser monarchies, therefore, Mountbatten knew if the Crown was to survive, political neutrality was and still is the order of the day.

[@mrgobrien]

not artistic licence - there is enough evidence of the coup plot - what isn't known is why it failed to occur in any meaningful way (this tv show seems to say that the queen was key to that but i'd like to know their sources).

[@shikamarunara295]

I often wonder what would've happened if Lord Mountbatten had succeeded in the coup.

[@cristosl]

Civil War, the north would have erupted, at the very least violence and blood in the streets as authorities tried to quell the protests

[@crowbar9566]

death by hanging? Instead they told the IRA he would be fishing on a lake in county Sligo.

[@paulterry6258]

Mountbatten opposed the idea of a coup. Mr would never betray his monarch and niece. The idea of overthrowing Wilson's government came from Cecil Harmsworth King.

[@jacobdenness8659]

Civil war probably

[@morristonian]

I love the Hans Zimmer " Interstellar" theme at the end of this clip. It gives a great gravity to the situation. ( pardon the pun.)

[@heybuh007]

The greatest Monarch, Elizabeth The Great

[@mayaugust5777]

Bad case of job burnout 😮. High level stress for sure .

[@AndyBluebear]

"Leave it with me, Prime Minister". Lizzie about to kick some ass and take names.

[@johndean4998]

I haven't seen the subsequent parts of this episode and therefore don't know how the storyline develops - but my understanding is that in real life Lord Mountbatten, far from planning to lead a coup against the Wilson government, was instrumental in making sure the plot was stillborn.

[@utareangara5529]

i really need to watch the entire series again

[@asokt4931]

I very much appreciate how this shows humanizes the royals. The Queen must have been an extraordinary strong will lady to continue to carry out her duties without attachment to outcomes

[@deaddropholiday]

LOL - the Queen is like the deceived spouse. Always the last to know. 😆

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

After George VI died, Mountbatten apparently went around telling people that his nephew was now effectively "King of England". (It seems he wasn't much interested in the other home nations). And that is why Philip was never bestowed the title of Prince Consort.

[@marcokite]

Nobody is much interested in the other home nations - why would they be?

[@routeman680]

Prince consort, like queen consort, is a rank, not a title. Prince Philip was prince consort.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

@routeman680 I was mistaken in my original comment. The title eas offered to him, but he turned it down. This was after Queen Mary insisted that the family name not be changed to Mountbatten as he had wanted, and as his uncle had been proudly announcing to anyone who'd listen. Over the years, the subject was raised several times. The first time I heard of it was in 1977 when it was soeculated that as part of the Silver Jubilee, the Duke would me made Prince Consort. If he had held the title, he would have always been referred to by that title and not Duke of Edinburgh.

[@routeman680]

@@zacmumblethunder7466 I think you are confusing title, rank and style. Philip held the rank of prince consort from the time Elizabeth acceded in 1952. His title was Prince of the United Kingdom, along with Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich. His style was His Royal Highness. I don't recall any discussion about him being given a "title" prince consort in 1977 and it would not make sense because he was already a prince.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

@routeman680 I checked quite a few websites before making my reply. Not easy, given that there seems to be a million different ways to reject cookies. But I did find that my first assertion was based on a rumour that Louis Mountbatten's boasting about a Mountbatten being the monarch (Which apparently he did do) was the reason for Philip not being made Prince Consort. I remember the Silver Jubilee discussion though, as it was the first time I came across the "Prince Consort" thing in this context. I'd heard the term in connection with Prince Albert, but as my school was doing it's best to put me off history for life (thankfully they failed), I wasn't even vaguely interested. Only when it involved someone actually alive at the same time as me, did it seem relevant. I've heard it mentioned a few times since. Most recently at the time of the Platinum Jubilee. I listen to Radio 4 a lot, and this sort of thing comes up on there. I've done a quick check and have found a passage from the Bournemouth Echo, which I've pasted below. " Prince Philip had been offered and declined the title Prince Consort, which had been given to Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, according to correspondence by the then prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill in 1954. Sir Winston engaged in a series of secret letters with his Lord Chancellor about the prospect of Philip becoming Prince Consort. Other titles suggested included Prince of the Commonwealth and Prince of the Realm, however, both discussions were brought to an abrupt end. Sir Winston wrote that the Queen had made the suggestion to the duke, but that he “refused even to consider accepting any new title at present”. He added: “Her Majesty asked that the matter should be allowed to rest indefinitely.” Philip was made the Duke of Edinburgh by Princess Elizabeth’s father, George VI, just before his 1947 wedding. The Queen later made him a prince of the UK in 1957. "

[@Kyleprice-it6yn]

At the time when the Queen became monarch I don't think any other road could have handled being King or Queen. Elizabeth I I did a damn good job!

[@1chish]

That 'other life' and 'the other thing' are themes to which the storyline returns in the very last episode where the (dead) Queen is in St George's chapel and Philip and her earlier self visit her ....

[@RommelsAsparagus]

As a Canadian, we really resent Mountbatten for his handling of Dieppe. This is just icing on the cake.

[@thomasbeatty9496]

What a brilliant actress.

[@emmathomas2832]

Control your family, or I will. - The prime minister

[@aaronpaul9188]

For those curious. Harold Wilson was a horrible PM, among the worst the UK has ever had and very likely had strong communist sympathies. MI5 junior officers met to discuss if anything could be done. They decided no, they just had to wait for him to lose and that was the end of it. Though republicanism has always been a problem with Labour, and frankly one should not be able to sit in parliament let alone in HM's cabinet if one is a traitor to the crown. But I digress. The existence of any plot is almost certainly pure fiction. All that is established is that MI5 had a file on Wilson because of his likely communist sympathies and thats pretty much the extent of it.

[@SmokeyBCN]

do the communists hide under your bed at night as well?

[@davidhull1481]

I happened to have watched both Broadchurch and Gracepoint recently, and no knock on Anna Gunn, but it’s really instructive to see OC in a direct demonstration of how two different people can inhabit a role. Jesus Christ OC is soooo good. And the bitching thing is that she would never have been the first choice of any American producers and directors. Not glamorous enough.

[@marcokite]

Do NOT use the Most Holy Name as a swear word

[@davidhull1481]

@@marcokite You a funny guy. Jesus Christ told me so. He also said I could use his name however I want to.

[@michelguy5569]

Excuse me but, I am french (with sympathy to QEII, I am enaugh old to have known only Her as Queen of England so Her death was a bit "strange" and disturbing for me, She always been for me "a part of the global picture", like pope JP II), so not familiar with political history of England. Someone could explain to me in simple words what is this "story" of a "coup" against QII ? 🤔 Thanks.

[@ramoncastanos1674]

Against the prime minister, not against her

[@meowal1192]

it was the opposite of a coup against QEII. The story was using her name and authority to overthrow the ruling party in the parliament.

[@adventtrooper]

In 1974, Britain was in a state of emergency. Inflation was 25%, public sector wages frozen, highest tax rate at 98%, and a combination of coal & transport union strikes plus the oil crisis meant there was insufficient power to run industrial plants so enforcing a 3-day working week. We had two general elections in a year (both just returning Labour governments) and certain elements decided that the government was no longer in control (with Communist sympathetic unions holding them to ransom); thus the idea of a military coup was formed to oust the Wilson government at the end of which Mountbatten would be the figurehead with Queen Elizabeth's "support".

[@mrgobrien]

@@adventtrooper yes - and runs against sterling on the currency markets were occurring too - which i've always thought was the ultimate trigger.

[@weiliao7642]

the dress she wears shout out quality and design!

[@turmuthoer]

I understand that the situation is very serious, but did the Prime Minister really need to threaten her right out of the gate? For someone as constitutionally-minded as the late Queen, I'm sure she would have agreed to stop the coup without need for persuasion.

[@mrgobrien]

the conversation may not have happened (and if it did wilson probably would have been more polite and tactful) - but to explain - the labour party is louse with anti monarchists (but its pm's are obliged to support the monarchy whatever but equally the monarch and pm both always know that democratic rule must prevail in the uk) - in truth the govt cabinet collectively rules - so wilson was just explaining - i'll keep my labour colleagues off your back (they would have exploited any excuse to remove the royals completely) but the coup attempt has to stop too - so you sort out your end and i'll do the same at my end and everything will be ok.

[@jonathaneugene2582]

Keep it coming with the crown videos.please

[@Carlozandre]

"Cahoots". Great word.

[@chuckspoke]

So why was lord Matt batten allowed to continue and retain his status and station in service and gentry. To even be placed in a position of influence to Prince of Wales. With being named a co conspirator of a coup and having personal life and marriage that was not consistent either the church or head of the church her royal majesty the Queen???????

[@mrgobrien]

because of privilege and cover ups etc - it was 1986 before the coup plot became public (via the book spycatcher) and he was dead by then.

[@marshmallowbudgie]

"and then I'd have to stand for election as Chief of State of the Commonwealth?!"

[@sickpup820]

Before phone call - Elizabeth After phone call - The Queen

[@pmstark10]

4:28 Wait... isn't this similar to the Rains of Castamere OST? LMAO

[@SethSinclair]

lol, for a little bit yea

[@novemberalpha6023]

It's no coincidence.

[@persiandrum9871]

The queen should have taken the lift. Too many stairs.

[@kharilane1340]

Even a queen should get her steps in!!!

[@cherylhulting1301]

I'm smiling, but we needed that forceful moment of her striding up the stairs.

[@persiandrum9871]

@@cherylhulting1301 May you always be smiling and contented. God bless.

[@patthonsirilim5739]

The biggest prisoner if the kingdom is often the king.

[@jamessimmons3645]

I guess we can all feel that way

[@moryan6447]

The right person at the right time!

[@parallaxview6770]

Nonce Mountbatten got his just desserts in the end

[@SPQR872]

A couple of points here, 1. This never happened in real life, this entire event is fictional and created for the show, 2. Had this been real, the popularity of Mr. Wilson at the time was very low, and a coup, while not entirely out of the realm of possibility, could have actually worked.

[@williamlawrence6190]

Actually the event is true Lord mountbatton did in fact speak and conspire to stage a coup of the goverment with high influential members of society such as cecil king the press baron and chairman of the daily mail as well as the goverments chief Scientific Adviser but in the end the queen when she was informed by the prime minister she put end to it all and the whole thing documented in a book called Spycatcher which was written in 1987.

[@ReaverLordTonus]

I figured it had to be fake, because he claims to be an ally of the monarchy yet his labor government had no problem crapping on them and shifting blame when things didn't go their way.

[@williamlawrence6190]

@@ReaverLordTonus Well the reason to begin with the coup in the first place was because people like cecil king who i mentioned before were afriad that Harold Wilson the labour prime minister at the time and othe elements of his goverment were communist symperthisers or at worst the PM being a KGB agent which ultimitly led to Cecil speaking with lord mountbutton about the possiblity of a coup and establishing a goverment of national salvation with lord mountbutton being the new prime minister.

[@AZickmund]

Doubtful the idea of a coup in a modern democracy its pert near unfathomable. Even the perception of having a coup damages the entire concept of democracy. An attack on The Parliament of the people is an attack on all parties that make it up. Even opposition parties would feel compelled to enforce the authority of the Parliament of the people, to allay the possibility of happening whilst they were in office.

[@brt5273]

One of many completely fictional aspects of this show. I just don't understand why the couldn't have kept it historical. It's not as if they don't have the ability to make the facts just as dramatic and engrossing as the added fiction.

[@mlc4495]

Later....The Queen on a secure comms line to certain people in Belfast....."He'll be vacationing at his holiday home in Co. Sligo. Try not to make a mess, he'll still be getting a state funeral."

[@sztypettto]

This scene is a new revelation to me, and your comment aligns with where I was able to trace the lead to. Lord Mountbatten wasn't the only one it seems. Those who didn't get the message were sent on permanent vacation, such as Diana. While those who got the message were shown the door, such as Harry and Andrew. Is there a scene that shows what happens after this?

[@adelaferreira4575]

People forget this is fiction ,I have the most respect for Queen Elizabeth,she was a great queen and a dignified lady ,never a murderous one,some of the stuff on The Crown never happen people !

[@sztypettto]

@@adelaferreira4575 she performed a hit job on Diana after if became public knowledge that Diana was carrying a brown guys baby. Did the same with Meghan. Got her and Harry to move out

[@here_we_go_again2571]

🤣🤣 U have a good imagination! My money is on the I.R.A. and I also think that it has a connection to people involved with the Kincora Boys' Home

[@sztypettto]

@@adelaferreira4575 oh yeah? You sound like a loyalist simp. Remember power corrupts. Lizzy was a kingpin to the core. She got her Uncle Edwards excommunicated, Mountbatten whacked, got the Shah of Iran removed, disposed off many hamlet kingdom heads, got her daughter in law whacked after she was carrying a brown baby out of wedlock, stripped off her other son's titles, got one of her grandsons and his little tart banished. So yeah Liz was a thug

[@aquilifergroup]

So, she ended up doing a job she never wanted or asked for. Well, millions of people can identify.