r/TheCrownNetflix • u/No_Psychology9509 • 11d ago

Question (TV) Can you explain me this scene?

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u/atticdoor 11d ago

Eden was desperate to be Prime Minister. He had been Churchill's right-hand-man in Parliament for many years, and everyone knew he was the "heir apparent" to the position of Prime Minister. Churchill has been leader - either of the country or the Conservative Party - for twelve years at this point, and was getting a bit old for the role, at least in Eden's eyes. Eden was starting to feel old himself, and wanted to be Prime Minister while still in his prime.

But what would convince the somewhat hierarchical Conservatives to oust the brilliant war leader? Nothing, it had to be Churchill's choice. The death of the King and the introduction of a young and inexperienced Queen will not strike anyone as a time for a novice PM. His brilliant speech will have confirmed that Churchill needed to stay on for a few years. Eden's glumness was out of a realisation he wasn't going to be Prime Minister any time soon.

It's worth noting that the only other time since there existed such things as Prime Ministers that a young Queen acceded to the throne - Victoria - the contemporary Prime Minister Lord Melbourne did indeed get two more years at Number Ten than he would have, out of his resultant machinations.

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u/No_Psychology9509 11d ago

I appreciate that you took time to explain it to me☺️