Anthony Eden: Much of this is just a function of age. He focuses almost entirely on issues relating to America and the Soviet Union, so important domestic matters are falling behind.
King George VI: What do you suggest I do?
Anthony Eden: Well, as sovereign, of course, there is nothing you can do from a constitutional standpoint. But, as a friend, as Albert Windsor, you are the one person I can think of to whom he might listen.
King George VI: Well, that is where we run into difficulties, I'm afraid. I no longer am Albert Windsor. That person was murdered by his elder brother when he abdicated. And, of course, Albert Windsor would dearly love to say to his old friend, Winston Churchill, "Take a step back. Put your feet up. Let the younger generation have a go now." But he is no longer with us and that void has been filled by George VI who, it turns out, is quite the stickler, and would no more allow the sovereign to interfere with the Prime Minister than stand for office himself.
Anthony Eden: Even when it's in the national interest, sir?
King George VI: The national interests? Or Anthony Eden's interest?
More from this episode
All quotes from this episode →More The Crown quotes · These quotes come from Wikiquote's The Crown pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.