Sometimes It's The One's You Least Suspect | The Crown (Claire Foy, Jeremy Northam)

[@m1dn1ght5un]

"Nonetheless, he visited" Delivered in such an even tone but you feel the contempt dripping from Tommy's voice. Wonderful scene

[@Chyrosran22]

Bone-chilling delivery. Pip Torrens was a force of nature in this series.

[@richardsalisbury496]

The words speak for themselves

[@ratclone]

Great scene

[@teabagtowers3823]

Well he was worthy of nothing less than contempt. You can feel the contempt and disgust Lascelles has towards Edward.

[@jarowan]

@@teabagtowers3823 You can see Tommy's mask slip a bit at the end. He'll maintain the stiff upper lip through so much, but even he let through his actual feelings about a royal encouraging Hitler to have the bombing campaign against London to continue.

[@SpydeyDan]

Best thing about his performance here is that, while on the surface it is a dry and dispassionate description of the evidence, you can truly feel Tommy's infinite rage bubbling just underneath.

[@madeleinegrayson8372]

He served as Private Secretary to the Duke for 8 years and left because he found him too despicable to serve. So there's a deep history there.

[@kristend344]

@@madeleinegrayson8372 He was an assistant private secretary when David was Prince of Wales. Very despicable man. His abdication was a benefit for the world.

[@MagnusKen]

He betrayed his country serves him right to be outcast. His Father denounced their German roots in favor of the people,but Edward VIII cannot let go of it​

[@samuelfawell9159]

When it came out what he was doing, it was the same anger from that nation, the former king had betrayed his country to shake hands with a man who was happy to bomb the UK into submission.

[@LordZontar]

"But perhaps worst of all, the Duke told the German government that resolve in the United Kingdom to face the German aerial bombardment was weakening and that continued bombing, that is, the continued slaughter of his fellow countrymen and former subjects would, and I quote, "Soon make Britain ready for peace"." It is in that moment that Tommy really starts showing a hint of his undying anger at the Duke of Windsor. His voice is tighter, the tone just a bit higher. It is taking all of his self-control not to shout out those words at the Queen.

[@SandmanGotBeer]

Pip Torrens stole the show in EVERY scene he was a part of in this series.

[@edwardnashen5960]

He was so excellent!

[@benjaminosterloh3605]

It’s why Tommy Lascelles kept returning for events the real world Tommy had had no dealings, for lack of better words

[@KoiYakultGreenTea]

The only sign he was FURIOUS was a clutching and unclutching of his fist

[@ruhri0411]

I would have loved to have seen the scene where Tommy celebrated the banishment of the Duke of Windsor with Philip and the Queen Mother with lots of alcohol. lol

[@SandmanGotBeer]

@@ruhri0411 me too!

[@iainhenderson2188]

The first line” a renowned Nazi” is dripping with loathing and contempt. Brilliant acting and dialogue.

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

Most Brits of Tommy's era would hate and distrust the German's due to WWI and WWII both wars were vicious and took years to rebuild from

[@ginacantabene8629]

I love how he sits there so calmly, speaking in a steady tone of voice. The only sign of stress in him is the drumming of the fingers on his right hand.

[@hoilst265]

"Sharing a bed - forgive me, ma'am - with the Ambassador, Herr Ribbentropp".

[@peterslaby9782]

The look of shock and horror the Claire Foy is able to bring to this performance is sublime. Remarkable acting on her part.

[@rjcote45]

ABSOLUTELY Agreed!!! Actually, unmitigated unrelenting shock!

[@kristend344]

Well, if you think about it . . What Edward VIII did - was shockingly horrific . . . She didn't need to try to drum up those expressions for a work of fiction. They were fact. Even as an American, it makes me ill to think about. What he would have allowed, nay - encouraged, to happen to his own brother and nieces; let alone his own country. You'd think we had returned to the middle ages.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

It's good to expose Edward's treachery like this, but I think the Queen would have been well aware of all this already. Not much got past her. There's a briliant scene in the stage play "The Audience" with Anthony Eden that shows how despite his efforts to cover up his befarious activities, Her Majesty knew exactly what he'd done and wasn't going to let him get away with it.

[@papanurgle8393]

@@kristend344 That's the problem with monarchs: almost always have an *enormous* sense of entitlement.

[@kristend344]

@@papanurgle8393Some have a strong self-entitlement attitude, and others had/have a strong sense of duty. Henry married a woman with an even bigger sense of entitlement than himself. The pair of them only ever look at anything about what's in it for them. Charles has done a lot for charity, and helping people through those charities that doesn't get widespread press.

[@pianoman9421]

Not Eden--the great Alan "Tommy" Lascelles. As depicted in this series, quite possibly the most British man to ever exist.

[@Dizfan]

Can you imagine someone like him running The Palace,etc while Meghan Markle Was around.

[@JoanMorrison-vq2jc]

Buckingham Palace should have had another Lascelles around back in the 1980's and 1990's for the devious Diana and the frivolous Fergie! If queen Elizabeth could not settle her family then a Lascelles would have!!

[@mikeconnolly6845]

@@Dizfandespite the fact he would be over 130, I’d like to think he’d be well able to sort the whole thing out!

[@lemorab1]

@@Dizfan She wouldn't be around for very long if he did.

[@lyndarichardson4744]

​@@Dizfan She'd be on the next plane back to the US !😊

[@Ed9870]

Every single scene with Tommy Lascelles in this series was stellar. An absolute triumph by Mr. Torrens.

[@enikata7349]

If this scene happened in real life, I can only imagine the Queen's shock and rage at hearing this. She lived in London during the Blitz, she saw the death and devastation first hand. And to know her uncle not only approved of it but encouraged it must have been such a blow. I'm glad Edward was never allowed back to the UK, he was a traitor to his own people.

[@Angel-nu7fm]

Any other Briton would have been executed for high treason had they done what he did. Another reason for the monarchy to go. They covered it up.

[@shari4375]

It more than likely happened. Her uncle, and Wallace were rubbing shoulders with the Nazis. Hitler. I truly believe a version of this conversation actually happened.

[@benlowe1701]

We don't know who told her. But it is impossible she wasn't aware. The government knew, and they would not have kept it from her. Honestly, given her firm support of both Mountbatten, and Andrew, who were both suspected of equally monstrous crimes, I am rather disheartened to conclude she was probably more relieved it never came out at the time, than she was appalled at the crimes itself.

[@TheSniff1]

@@benlowe1701never heard about the crimes of Lord Mountbatten. Only know he was Charles’s favorite “Uncle” and that he was assassinated by the IRA but never learned much about his character. Can you enlighten me? I would love to learn more about his background and character.

[@pranayv4417]

yet he was given a Royal Burial by Queen herself

[@greybirdo]

The acting here by Torrens is masterful. Immediately before 'a plan was hatched', Torrens' simple use of the fingers of his right hand to convey revulsion, rage and an almost uncontrollable urge for primal violence while remaining otherwise impassive and even-toned - wow. As for Foy, her display of growing horror at the venality of her character's uncle was perfect. You can imagine exactly what her character - who was growing into womanhood as the bombs of the blitz fell around her - was coming to realise at that exact moment. Superb.

[@idodkl]

The first two seasons were really masterpieces!

[@MiaK06]

Could not agree more. Initially, my plan was to glance over first two seasons and begin w Season 3 as am a huge fan of both Olivia Coleman and Helena B-Carter, but once I watched Season 1 and especially Season 2, I realised just how brilliant Claire Foy and in fact all actors were. And the actor playing Tommy Lascelles - just sublime.

[@longxiao9823]

Yeah the later seasons (5 & 6) became more about the romantic struggles within the Royal Family. But that is only to be expected as real-life political events were less like history, more about contemporary matters which are subject to much more controversy.

[@Kimllg88]

yes, they were really good. But downhill from there

[@MiaK06]

@@Kimllg88 I wouldn’t say downhill entirely / the first two seasons are truly wonderful and Pip Torrens as Tommy Lascelles my def fave as well as Claire Foy and so many others But I did also like the Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham-Carter combo a lot But yes, the last two I didn’t enjoy but that was also because I didn’t like see the Queen aged… prob weird but it just wasn’t nice to watch

[@yvonneplant9434]

​@@MiaK06I had never heard of Foy before this. What a splendid actress! 🎉

[@spearshake4771]

Honestly Pip Torren would KILL if he was given a role in House of the Dragon or a story set in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe. His acting is on par with that of Charles Dance and he can portray just as intimidating a character on screen.

[@CherrySteak]

God yeah, I've never thought about that before but man he'd be great.

[@Oliver_Saer]

Hadn't considered it until you said, but this would hit the ball out of the park. But he would definitely need a character akin in nature to Tywin Lannister to really shine.

[@jsandozr]

He’d make a great Lannister

[@spearshake4771]

​@@Oliver_SaerI can already think of a few roles he would be perfect for.

[@mooncutielunicorn9999]

​@@spearshake4771that'll be cool! But who will that be? Lol

[@hotdamndan9892]

I think the best part of this is when it was Phillip who recommended to Elizabeth to talk to Tommy about her decision. The part when he say "invite him for tea, or sherry, or blood, or whatever that monster drinks" 😅

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

I suspect Phillip probably guessed that Tommy would know DoW's secrets including his dirty laundry that the public and the Windsors didn't know.

[@kmars21]

actually I think he said "...or whatever that vampire drinks" but yes it was a good scene

[@kmars21]

no you were right..i watched the scene again and he says monster

[@benlowe1701]

Its pity he never suggested a talk about Mountabatten.

[@rolahalabi5820]

Out of all the seasons, the 1st 2 seasons are the ones I watch over and over again!!! Her reaction at the end says it all

[@madeleinegrayson8372]

Pip Torrens narrates the audio book of Tommy Lascelles' diaries. It's fabulous!

[@piplebref4607]

That sounds like a non-negotiable-must-have!!

[@bluecollarlit]

I looked on Amazon and found diaries of an Alan Lascelles, but no Tommy.

[@SaiSivakumar]

@@bluecollarlit Allan Lascelles is his name. Tommy was a nickname

[@bluecollarlit]

@@SaiSivakumar thank you.

[@Jenny010132]

Why did I not know about this sooner!?! 😮 I NEED IT!

[@camgold2154]

This frames Tommy's treatment of the Duke in the first season in a different light, in that it's not just abdication Tommy was condemning him for.

[@annakimborahpa]

Tommy had been Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales from 1920 to 1929 but resigned in despair over differences with him. Nevertheless, he was shocked by the impact of the abdication in 1936, even though he knew first hand that Edward VIII would be sketchy as monarch. After the WWII Marburg Files vindicated Tommy's original estimation of the eventual Duke of Windsor, he concluded his royal service by advising Queen Elizabeth on the most prudent and discreet course of action to take regarding her uncle that took the form of an imposed exile on him and the Duchess. Then Tommy finally could retire.

[@malcolmabram2957]

The real reason why Edward VIII was forced to abdicate.

[@jasonkoch3182]

The real reason he was forced to abdicate was because nobody in government wanted him to be king. His inability to keep state secrets secret was a big part of it, but not the only part of it.

[@natatatt]

The Nazi activities were after he abdicated, leading up to and during WW2.

[@Roz-y2d]

@@jasonkoch3182Yes, in reality, he was ousted.

[@Rosemary-vf5ei]

@@jasonkoch3182 and for that perhaps we need to be grateful to Wallis. She provided the excuse as to why the King had to abdicate, without the people finding out the real reason.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Claire Foy is superb in conveying emotion and reaction with just a look, not a word spoken. Ms. Foy is a star now and would have been one also in the days of silent films.

[@generalpurpose772]

In The Crown we see the queen express a lot of emotions, but I think this is the only time where she genuinely cannot believe what she is hearing. Her face shows disbelief and horror - for what her uncle planned to do, how he actively sought to dethrone her father and abandon his country to Nazi occupation. There are fewer and fewer people every year who experienced what wartime was like in the UK. Most of those still living will only have been children at the time. Life was so much harder back then, the country was being bombed nightly, children in cities had to leave their adult relatives and move to the countryside because the cities were so unsafe because of the bombing. I remember at primary school we learned about them, all lined up in their coats with their little suitcases and they all had paper tags on them to identify themselves - some of them were so small they might not have remembered their names or ages. That’s just one part of what it was like for them. For a former king to do what he did, colluding with the enemy of your own people in their time of greatest need, it’s about the most shameful thing you could do and I mean that today as well. That’s the worst thing a monarch could intend for the people who sang ‘God Save the King’ placing their trust in someone, believing that the national anthem ultimately meant ‘God Save us All’ - but were mistaken.

[@awill3992]

Well to be fair this has been happening for decades. Many leaders internationally collude with the enemy for their benefit and benefit alone. Most people nowadays are to stupid to realize what their governments are doing.

[@Silver_Owl]

My mother, still alive and sharp of mind, was a child during the Blitz. Eight when the war ended, she has clear memories of listening to the bombs whistle as they fell, and her own mother smiling and imitating the noise, to make it less scary. Looking back as an adult, she realized how frightened her mother must have been, and how well she hid it. (Mum was never officially evacuated, but she did go and stay with relatives in the country for a while.)

[@KrisKk08]

@@Silver_Owlmy mother in law was born in 1938 and was 7 when the war ended. You’re right there are many who remember their childhoods in WW2

[@KrisKk08]

@@Silver_Owlthank you for sharing such a poignant memory

[@Silver_Owl]

@@KrisKk08 Thank you, and thank you for mentioning your mother in law's experience too. It's incredible what that generation, and the one before them, lived through.

[@zxqj26]

This was my favorite scene in the whole series, and Tommy Lacelles was my favorite character. To reiterate what has already been mentioned in this thread, I love how you can hear Tommy dispassionately telling the story while barely concealing his rage underneath.

[@1MrErling]

And 2nd Baron Altrincham; John Grigg episode😘

[@WilfBond55]

The little things are so big in this scene, such as Tommy's right hand movements and the Queen's tiny intake of breath at the end. Magnificent performances.

[@johnecoapollo7]

I love how you can see him mustering a life's worth of British Upper Class upbringing to not use foul language in front of the Queen. The man is fuming as few have fumed. Pip Torrens did an excellent job as Lascelles

[@justonecornetto80]

Lascelles was a decorated WWI veteran. He grew to despise the Duke of Windsor.

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

Tommy Lascelles - a badass. My favorite character from the exceptional series.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Great Britain dodged a bullet when Edward viii abdicated!

[@hlwhhlwh2351]

My late aunt always said so.

[@kenmckenzo9465]

The whole free world dodged a bullet when that dreadful man abdicated. Not to mention having his dreadful wife leave with him.

[@benlowe1701]

I would say the whole world. Consider. When France fell the US and Russia had yet to enter the war. And he hardly seems to the type to have encouraged post war decolonisation. It might have altered the course of human history.

[@weirdshibainu]

@@benlowe1701 If England had sued for peace or fallen before the U.S. entrance into the war, the U.S. likely would have stayed directly out of Europe. Without having to defend the West, the war in the East might have gone Germanys way which given access to the vast natural resources of Russia Germany would have been a superpower easily rivaling the U.S.

[@gabrielacard7050]

Oh for sure , Great Britain was the only country in western Europe that was not occupied by nazi germany and if Edward didn’t abdicated he would have given the country over to hitler .

[@micheleevans4288]

Pip Torrens absolutely stole every scene he was in during his tenure in “THE CROWN”!!! I could watch him perform 24/7!!❤❤

[@lyndonjames8607]

One of the most riveting scenes in the whole series.

[@anastasiosgkotzamanis5277]

When you can tell that the civil servant is pissed, you better watch out.

[@elizabethturner2421]

What a great scene, exquisitely performed. Foy's horror (verging on nausea) at her uncle's conduct are perfectly complemented by Torrens' contempt for a treasonous weakling.

[@davidkelvin1557]

Haha How are you doing today hope your good

[@JamesSmith-tl8xp]

This show is so beautifully done. It's almost poetic in scenery and costumes with the marvelous storylines.

[@jeciel85]

Claire Foy is such a great actress.

[@davidkelvin1557]

Hey there

[@degaulle30]

I love this scene. She went to him as a friend, wanting advice. And he responded as one.

[@senguptasayn]

O God, please cast Dance and Torrence as rivals in a series.their dialogue delivery itself would be a thing to watch.

[@youseeit916]

I want someone to cast Charles Dance and Judi Dench together so we can watch the world freeze solid from the overwhelming Britishness

[@Cdc321]

Oh my god there are two of them!

[@cherylhulting1301]

​@@youseeit916 😂😂😂

[@airdriver]

Amazes me that, after hearing this, Elizabeth allowed The Duke Of Windsor back to England for anything. It’s also stunning she let Prince Charles correspond or visit him. The Duke should have been completely cut off from the royal family and that includes financially.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

If her Uncle is allowed back to the UK for a family visit the Queen still has power over him. If he is not allowed back to the UK he will moan and groan about the Queen being unfair to him until he is allowed back in.

[@Gennettor-nc8kx]

​@@AnnaBellaChannelIndeed. It was tactically wiser not to oust him completely. Charles' visits were part of that tactic and the minimal form of contact that was maintained.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

@@Gennettor-nc8kx Also the The Duke of Windsor was the Queen's uncle after all. He could be wise when he wanted to.

[@photostudio5861]

I think they supported him financially as a way of keeping the lid on him.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

@@photostudio5861 100% The King gave his brother The Duke of Windsor a yearly allowence to live on.

[@Diamondelle84]

Tommy spills all the tea ☕

[@JoanMorrison-vq2jc]

The palace NEEDED him - if not then maybe every royal would just run amuck. He would have handled the devious Diana and the frivolous Fergie during the 1980's and 1990's since the queen couldn't settle this family probably a Lascelles could have!!

[@CrochetCrochetJoyJoy]

@@JoanMorrison-vq2jcAnd he would have absolutely destroyed Meghan Markle with a scowl at 30 yards. Princess Margaret would also not tolerate Meghan either,

[@SteedHiggins]

This really has nothing to do with Meghan at all.

[@bluecollarlit]

And whose job was it to tolerate Princess Margaret...?

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

@@bluecollarlit The Queens

[@steveg5453]

I don’t think anyone portrays stress and shock as well as Clare Foy. What powerful acting from both these actors. Just breathtaking.

[@U2QuoZepplin]

The look of shock on Claire Foy's face as she is being informed about the Duke of Windsor's disloyalties is so stark. I can't imagine the real Queen with that look on her face but maybe in her time she learned how to keep her emotions in check and not be so revealing about her feelings in public .

[@Tronipule]

what a great scene. One of my all time favorite from the show

[@Heather-xz8fk]

The look of horror on her face. Superb acting by both of them. Just fabulous that they let us know this important history.

[@jonathaneugene2582]

keep it coming with more scenes from the crown. This is my favorite show

[@sbarr10]

One of my favorite scenes. Love how Tommy just drops the information MOABs.

[@MeyaRoseGirl]

You know, a lot of people talk about the not-so-secret fact that Edward VIII/David/Duke of Windsor was a Nazi traitor. But his nastiness goes even farther back than that. I watched a documentary on the lesser-known Prince John, the younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI. He was kept from the public eye because had epilepsy. He died at 14, and very little is known about him. Very few photographs survive. He was described as a "sweet boy," but that's how everyone describes a child that died young. It's well known that Queen Mary, the 3 brothers' mother, wasn't a particularly emotionally expressive woman. She did her duty as queen consort very tersely. (She's the one who wrote the letter to Elizabeth in this show telling her that she'll have to put away the woman she was to be the Queen now.) But there are letters and journals of hers that survive in which the MOST emotional statements she ever made were made about her beloved dead youngest son. Understandable. But the most interesting letter is one that appears to be a reply to a letter from Prince David shortly after Prince John's death. Prince David's letter has never been found, but the reply from his mother is a SCATHING rebuke for the unkind, flippant, and even derogatory way in which he referred to his now dead brother. So there is evidence from even BEFORE Wallis Simpson and the Nazi nastiness that the Duke of Windsor was a selfish, unfeeling, indulgent monster. Thank goodness there were enough decent men in power at the time to get him abdicated because who KNOWS what the world would be like if he had stayed on the throne through World War 2. It's terrifying to know that he was a regular correspondent of the current King.

[@davidkelvin1557]

Hey there meya, how are you doing today, hope your good

[@Ashbrash1998]

There's not any proof he betrayed anything besides being a sympathizer. Even Churchill and Eisenhower thought the Germans were overstated his relationship with the Germans.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

It is also worth knowing that he Duke of Windsor had to go and personally apologies to his mother for the comments he made in that letter after the death of his youngest brother Prince John. It is also worth noting that the Duke of Windsor after his death had a massive photo album of him with his younger brother Prince John in a small motor car. Grief can make people say and do very cruel things also WW1 had just ended and the royal family had to go into official mourning because of Prince John's death. But the Duke of Windsor was always sharp witted and had a large ego.

[@HALLish-jl5mo]

Had he not abdicated, wouldn't it have been pretty simple to just regicide him? He's one man, "ooh look he had a heart attack just after saying he wanted a closed casket funeral". You don't have to play fair with fascists.

[@Skyebright1]

There’s a letter from him to Freda Dudley Moore about Prince John’s death

[@BBean26]

And it’s not Jeremy Northam, but rather Pip Torrens, as others have already noted.

[@davidkelvin1557]

Yeah true How are you doing today hope your good

[@Sanderford]

Others in the comments beat me to it, but the man addressing Elizabeth is not Anthony Eden. It is Sir Alan Frederick Lascelles, GCB, GCVO, CMG, MC, known to friends and enemies alike as Tommy, a man whose civil service career would culminate with his serving as Private Secretary to George VI and Elizabeth II. I do love the emotion in Pip's voice when she asks "You mean there's more?" "Yes, Ma'am." That is the voice of a hard man who still knows he is about to tell this woman something which is going to shock her to her core.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

You’re supposed to lick the boot, not swallow it whole.

[@markfalcoff1743]

Although some of the details are not accurate, the broad version which is given here by the Queen's former private secretary is in fact accurate and based on real historical events.

[@alexandroalvarez2464]

So. Please May I ask. What would have been the correct facts or details you are alluding to?. We aren’t trying to re-write history here…merely understanding it.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

@@alexandroalvarez2464 That fact that The Duke of Windsor did a deal with HIlter if Germany won the war he would be King is 100% truth on his visit to Nazi Germany.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

@@alexandroalvarez2464then read the pr8mary sources instead of a TV drama. All papers from the 50s have been released with the exception of wills.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

@@alexandroalvarez2464 Edward was a Nazi lover. He visited the Nazis and gave the Nazi salute. He leaked secrets to the Nazis at the beginning of the war. All of this was proven from Nazi papers found after the war.

[@RamblinManMoto]

@@alexandroalvarez2464 Always nice when some a$$ like Lizzie provides no detail but makes a snarky comment, isn't it?

[@shubhuful]

I've seen Pip Torrens in Rome, Poldark, Versailles too but he's just Terrific in The Crown.

[@DariaSD]

Which character he played in Rome?

[@shubhuful]

@@DariaSD just a small appearance during Caesar's assassination. He tries to attack on him.

[@DariaSD]

@@shubhuful thx👍🏻

[@HookedOnSonics518]

He was also great in "Preacher".

[@matador521]

He also played one of Bertie's idiot friends in Jeeves and Wooster - so he could do comedy too.

[@intorainbowzOG]

When Buckingham Palace was bombed it very nearly killed the King and the Queen. They were not in their usual area. Someone either had a very lucky bomb or someone told the Germans where to bomb.

[@marywenzel3199]

It didn’t seem to trouble the duke of Windsor that for his plan to succeed, it likely meant that his brother and his nieces were all dead. What a charming man and how very like him his great great nephew Harry is. The United Kingdom dodged a bullet when Edward abdicated. The weakest sovereign in British history clearing the way for the most enduring. But the real tragedy was that George VI Got so little time on the throne.

[@jasonkoch3182]

I think you forget that back in World War II, there were no smart bombs. Once the bombs were dropped, no one had any control over where the bomb landed. If the Germans were specifically targeting King George VI, they would have had needed actual people on the ground because there was a 0% chance they could guarantee they'd get him with an air raid.

[@FAngus-ly8lk]

You imply that German bombers and bomber crews had the ability to target their loads so accurately that they could reliably destroy specific parts of specific buildings. This simply was not the case, not even clos - not on either side of the conflict in World War 2, or even for decades afterwards. The bombing of London during the Blitz, and the retaliatory bombing of German cities by the Allies, were carpet-bombing operations, designed to take out large urban ares indiscriminately. If the Germans had possessed the ability to strike a specific wing of Buckingham Palace, they would certainly have levelled St Paul's Cathedral, 10 Downing Street, the buildings in Westminster housing the War Office, the Admiralty, the Foreign Office and other vital wartime military entities, all of which survived the war unscathed.

[@michaelmontagu3979]

There is a letter from the late Queen Mother about the bombing of the Palace. It makes it clear that they were in their usual rooms. She mentions taking an eyelash out of The King's eye in his room.

[@funny3scene]

Bombing in world war 2 was not that accurate

[@mauhi7721]

Pip Torrens is an excellent actor. Thank you very much for sharing this video👏👍😊

[@Baffled_King]

The fact that the show went on to try and redeem Edward was, to me, inexplicable and unforgivable.

[@MsJubjubbird]

For the queen there were two Edwards. Edward the failed king who betrayed his country and Edward her beloved uncle

[@ritasnow8319]

@@MsJubjubbird, but how could you forgive an uncle who did those things?

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@ritasnow8319 people are complex. She loves him as an uncle and hates him as a duke. She forgives him when he dies. When she sees him as a troubled and feeble old man whom she had affection for throughout her childhood and wants him to depart in peace.

[@Baffled_King]

@@MsJubjubbird I was willing to forgive the scene where she says goodbye to him. It was entirely fictional/never happened. But for many of the reasons you give, I was willing to let that go. But the entire thing where he is talking to Charles and he is presented as this tragic figure who was forbidden from marrying the one he loved was grating. And then the episode with Dodi where the Dukes valet waxed poetic about how "there was so much love in this (the Duke's) house" was a straight up lie. Again, just glossing over the truth of who the man was so they could keep beating this drum about how he was such a tragic figure. It stood is stark contrast to this scene where the show laid out the truth of who the man really was.

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@Baffled_King that's what The Crown does so well though; it looks at the good and bad of people. There are no heroes and villains

[@vivelaresistance3239]

I’ve seen this actor over the decades play civil servants so often that when I saw him in The Crown, my first thought was, “Isn’t it nice he’s done so well, he’s secretary to the Queen now.” 😂

[@cureforintroversion1262]

0:22 FYI Karl is German for Charles. Lascelles is referring to Charles Edward, a grandson of Queen Victoria, and grandfather of the current King of Sweden.

[@danwallach8826]

And Saxe-Coburg, which was what the House of Windsor was before George V changed it in the course of the Great War. The whole "Kraut thing," you know.

[@OhioPaulDE]

Foy's eye movements alone when she begins to process the horrors Tommy described to her were amazing. She can reveal so much without saying a single word.

[@gkmacbeth8225]

It is my understanding that certain documents relating to the Abdication remain locked up from public view in the British archives.

[@PrograError]

I wonder if it's under lock for 99 years or at the pleasure of the Family/ government?

[@faithlesshound5621]

@@PrograError Those papers that have not been incinerated may be in the uncatalogued store-room under 10 Downing Street, which we only heard about a little before covid. At that time it was going to take a civil servant with top secret clearance ten years just to catalogue the files.

[@glamourweaver]

I’m glad this episode exists. It frustrates me they never reference it again in the series afterwards, like when the Queen is concerned about Charles being too close with the Duke of Windsor.

[@bullbunnies]

I love claire foy in this scene; just the way she processes the information and doesn't know what to do with it!

[@cozm0859]

Idk why I keep watching this scene. I did t watch any of this show but this scene is so well done I just keep watching it!

[@alexandroalvarez2464]

Devastating information, shocking even after all these years !

[@lyndarichardson4744]

Wow, nothing got past Tommy Lascelles ! What a great depiction by the actor who played him.

[@Infernal460]

This is an urban myth and not based on any factual information.

[@michaelwilkinson2928]

@@Infernal460 Except there is plenty of evidence of him visiting Hitler, inspecting SS troops etc.

[@justonecornetto80]

@@Infernal460 Nothing mythical about it at all. Besides the Marburg files clearly identifying the Duke of Windsor as a traitor, MI5 agent Anthony Blunt recovered files from the archives of the Abwehr in the final days of WW2 which contained detailed accounts of discussions between the duke and top Nazis such as Rudolf Hess and Robert Ley in 1937. They clearly alluded to putting him back on the throne at some point. He also had a two hour long private conversation with Hitler at Berchtesgaden during the same visit. While details of exactly what they talked about isn't known, Albert Speer later said that Hitler offered an alliance between Germany and the British empire.

[@cuitlamcuautencos8306]

No wonder even members of the RF hated him, respected him but hated him, There was nothing that didn’t pass through him. I’m surprised Edward Viii (David / The Duke of Windsor) didn’t fire him when he got the chance, there was no love between those two men, the opposite from his work relationship with Bertie (George VI)

[@dag221]

She was amazing in this scene. The looks on her face said more than any words could. I can't imagine hearing such information and having to process it in real time.

[@cherylhulting1301]

I couldn't either.

[@dlxmarks]

Sir Alan Frederick "Tommy" Lascelles was of a peculiar British social class: close to being an aristocrat but not actually one. His paternal grandfather was the 4th Earl of Harewood and his first cousin, the 6th Earl, married George VI's sister and thus was uncle by marriage to Elizabeth II. Tommy in contrast was a commoner, an upper class one, but still a commoner. I don't know what the real Tommy was like but those types (the ones Princess Diana described as the "men in grey") are often the ones most fanatical about maintaining orthodoxy within the Royal system.

[@AnnaBellaChannel]

because they gain the most by being close to the system even if they are the 4th son of baron blah blah. There are a lot of Rt Hon Mr Lascelles etc etc.

[@faithlesshound5621]

"Tommy" was probably the inspiration for the courtiers "Sir Alan Fitztightly" and "Lady Fitzalan-Tightly" who form part of Private Eye's mythical universe.

[@michaelplunkett8059]

There job is to serve and protect, not insult and abandon.

[@juanchov876]

I love the actor that plays Sir Alan Lascelles, he's like non-emotions.

[@WilfBond55]

There's a great amount of emotion in his character. There's also his character's realization that he must deliver this terrible information in as calm a manner as possible due to the nature and extremity of the horror of it. You can feel the repressed emotions each time he begins to add more to the narrative. He is incredibly angry, but he puts duty and country first, as he may be the one person who the Queen will believe about this treachery.

[@christinecharbonneau4448]

Breathtaking. So well delivered.

[@AlexanderMaio]

Claire's expressions and eye wondering is phenomenal in visualizing that gut wrenching lung tightening and gasping for air feeling whilst the brain is trying to painfully break it all down and letting it all sink in

[@21wxz89]

This series is so well done, the writing , the acting, the settings. It just highlights the ridiculous concept of the Monarchy

[@martinbijkerkbijkerk2435]

Pip Torrens more than nailed every single sentence here.

[@f15stroke]

Claire is an amazing actress while barely saying a word.

[@sistagalsistagal8136]

I love Tommy Lascelles. Just who you need in your corner in tough times.

[@merrylmarsh9037]

Pip Torres is SUPERB!!!! He certainly stole every scene in which he appeared ❤

[@jeep146]

The trouble with the monarchy is you never know who is telling the truth and who is lying. It's hard to find a loyal one in the whole group that you would trust with your life.

[@Heather-xz8fk]

Incredible scene. Appreciate that they included this history in the show.

[@reggielou2653]

"The crown always finds the way..." amen

[@geecee310]

Ooh - that David - he was a wrong’un and no mistake!

[@theknightridernz]

I love all the seasons of The Crown but seasons one and two are my favourites. Claire Foy and the rest of the cast are amazing.

[@mrc1737]

Whoever that actor is (speaking to Queen Elizabeth) is one “badass actor”! 👍 One of, if not, the best scene from The Crown.

[@StarOfHala]

2:00 i love the reaction of the actress

[@RobertodelaVega-t3w]

Historically speaking, if this was indeed correct, Edward should never have been buried in England.

[@ThePwig]

All that info was fairly new to the general public. There is an exhaustive book called “The Traitor King” that tells the whole story. Windsor was, very luckily, not allowed to give away the whole thing

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

Edward VII was by origin 100% German. Little surprise that he had much in common with his cousins in Nazi Germany, including admiration for Hitler. Churchill knew that Edward was a severe security risk that is why he forced him to spend WW2 in the British ruled Bahamas.

[@jonathancarlson6127]

Edward VIII best described by Mr. Hell, “He gave up the throne for love…” (shows picture of Hitler) “Personally, I don’t know what he saw in the guy!”

[@gerardcalilhanna2996]

HRH is probably thinking after each statement “There’s more?”

[@gabriellamar2683]

It's almost like putting someone in charge who can't keep classified documents classified has no business serving as head of state!

[@sbarr10]

Stunning scene. And stunning history.

[@wandab3843]

What Lascelles shared would've have gotten DoW executed in another century.👀

[@pchan0368]

You can tell he has absolute disdain for the Duke. There's some teeth grinding in there.

[@dsatt57]

This is my favorite episode.

[@catspyjamas9959]

Pip Torrens is a fantastic actor.

[@samtheresearcher]

If this man ever meets your in-laws, consider yourself divorced 😂😂😂

[@patriciarocco2610]

One of the most riveting scenes from The Crown. The Duke of Windsor was truly a traitor to his country.

[@shmataboro8634]

And the media sell him and his lady as a trooooo love story, of him "sacrificing everything" for her. They're lucky they were t executed.

[@peterhoughton3770]

So interesting the development of this story as official secrets have been devolved over the years. 2 1970s television series portrayed Edward as a 'hero' for marrying the 'woman he loved'. "Edward and Mrs Simpson" starring Edward Fox and "The Woman he Loved" starring Anthony Andrews. The Palace of course remained tight lipped, despite being fully aware that they were both monstrously incorrect in their portrayal of the couple. But to protect offical secrets they were unable to defend themselves. Now at least we know that he was a traitor. And thank God George The 6th and Elizabeth then became monarchs. I suspect the treachery of Edward went even further and Simpson's relationship with Ribbentropp is not yet fully explored. She may from the beginning have been turned by the Germans. Though Admiral Canaris (head of Germany's Abwehr Military Intelligence) never made that claim. Canaris though, was executed brutally by Hitler after being a suspect in the July Plot. He took many secrets with him to the grave, including the identities of many Nazi agents who operated in the west. MI6's file, outlined here in this clip by Lascelles is extensive. And MI6 via the 'double cross system' knew most Nazi Agents operating in the UK, and turned most of them successfully into double agents, to misinform and misdirect the Nazis. The operations of the The Double-Cross System is one of the great covert operations of British Military Intelligence of all time. It has never been suggested that Edward was run as a useful idiot to misinform Hitler (in other words, to leak false plans), though that's also a possibility. Though following his abdication he had no access to any inside information as the royals were advised not to let him near anything.

[@linlizha]

I like Tommy. I think he is the backbone of all the rules in the monarchy

[@2charliep]

This performance is the very definition of “British Stiff Upper Lip”.

[@blackhawkswincup2010]

that isn't Jeremy Northam as Anthony Eden, it's Pip Torrens as Tommy Lascelles.

[@chadoakley8505]

Wallis's red dress at 0:56 is stunning cinematography.

[@58christiansful]

Red alert and red for danger!

[@richardcleveland8549]

Edward was a dreadful, dreadful man; Britain was fortunate in his choice of paramours.

[@lesleymaner2851]

Indeed thank goodness for Wallis Simpson. If she had not come along king Edward would have just let Germany have England

[@richardcleveland8549]

@@lesleymaner2851 Hmmmmmm . . . never looked at it that way; thanks!

[@davidwicks7543]

It's "Tommy" Lascelles (Pip Torrens) sitting with the Queen and sharing the Windsor's collusion with Germany during the Second World War. Not Anthony Eden (Jeremy Northam). Pip Torrens acting and that voice of his are quite sublime.

[@dyanalayng5507]

Wow! Hair is standing up on the back of my neck. Chills. Must catch up with The Crown. So enjoying these little powerful glimpses.

[@tylerch8]

I rewatch this scene, episode quite a bit. So good.

[@Kimllg88]

The horror of complete betrayal

[@jec1ny]

Considering what she saved them from, there should be a giant statue of Wallis Simpson somewhere in London.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

One wonders how much truth is in this segment

[@justonecornetto80]

Nearly all of this has been in the public domain for decades.

[@christopherharmon2433]

Everybody gangsta until tommy starts speaking!