| Wolferton Splash | Episode Summary | Cast and Characters |
| “ | There may be no greater act of patriotism. Or love. | ” |
"Wolferton Splash" is the premiere episode of Season 1 of Netflix television series The Crown.
Synopsis[]
In 1947, Prince Philip of Greece renounces his foreign titles to marry Princess Elizabeth, elder daughter of George VI. Her mother and Grandmother are less than complimentary about his family whilst the appearance of Shadow leader Winston Churchill at the lavish wedding sets his rivals whispering that it is a show of politics. Following a general election Churchill is prime minister once more - to the delight of the king, who confides in him that he has lung cancer, but urges him to keep it a secret and Christmas passes without the family being informed. However George asks Elizabeth to represent him on an upcoming Commonwealth tour, whilst Elizabeth is asked to keep another secret by her sister Margaret, who is in love with commoner Peter Townsend.
Episode Notes[]
Historical Events[]
- Time Period: 1947 - December, 1951
Princess Elizabeth's Wedding[]
Princess Elizabeth on her wedding dress
Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh were married on November 20, 1947 in Westminister Abbey. The service was officiated by Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cyrill Garbett, the Archbishop of York, the two highest-ranking bishops in the Church of England. She was 21 and he was 26 when they married.
- Princess Elizabeth arrived for her wedding in the Irish State Coach, one of four enclosed coaches used by the royal family, and was escorted by her father, King George VI.
- Princess Elizabeth's gown was designed by Norman Hartnell, and made of satin that required ration coupons to purchase. She wore the Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara, which broke just before the wedding, and was hastily repaired by Garrard, the Crown Jewellers.
The Irish State Coach
- Both the King and Philip wore their naval uniforms, as is the custom with the royal family for formal occasions.
- Princess Elizabeth had eight bridesmaids including her sister and several cousins; the adolescent Princes Michael of Kent and William of Gloucester, also her cousins, were her page boys. Philip's best man was the Marquess of Milford Haven, his first cousin, who is not seen in the series.
- Before the wedding, Philip, then Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, renounced his titles and citizenship, and became a British citizen, taking the name Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. He also converted from the Greek Orthodox Church to the Church of England. The morning of the wedding, he was made up Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich of Greenwich, and given the style "His Royal Highness".
- Upon their marriage, Princess Elizabeth took the title Duchess of Edinburgh. The couple honeymooned at Broadlands, the home of Philip's uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten before departing for Malta.
King George's Surgery[]
King George VI was a heavy smoker, as was his mother, Queen Mary. Little was known about the carcinogenic properties of cigarettes at the time, and many men of the King's generation began smoking at a young age, having no idea of the risks to their health, or how addictive smoking was. King George's lung was removed, but his lung cancer is hidden from him and the family.
Soundtrack[]
- Hans Zimmer - The Crown Main Title
- Scene: Intro for the episode.
- Rupert Gregson Williams - Limerick
- Scene: Plays after the opening credits as the King dresses and goes down to meet the wedding party.
- Westminster Abbey Choir, Martin Neary, Martin Baker - I Vow to Thee my Country
- Scene: As Winston and Clementine Churchhill arrive, Winston makes Clementine stop as 'I Vow to Thee, My Country' begins to play causing everyone inside the church to stand as the hymn places then they proceed through showing up Prime Minister Attlee.
- Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven - Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Richard Farnes
- Scene: Elizabeth arrives at the church, she walks down the aisle with her father.
- Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered - Ella Fitzgerald
- Scene: Margaret sings this with King George.
- Land of Hope and Glory - London Army Band & Choir
- Scene: Winston staff and cabinet sing, cheer and clap for him as re-enters the building after giving his speech for winning his second term as Prime Minister.
Trivia[]
- During the behind the scenes of this episode, Claire broke her left arm while shooting the wedding scene.
- In the scene where Cecil Beaton takes the wedding photographs, Prince Philip's mother (Princess Alice of Greece and Denmark) is seen wearing a nun's habit. In actuality; she wore the habit to the Queen's coronation but dressed in appropriate formal dress for the wedding.
- First time limericks were used in the series, second time is Margaretology.
- The limericks between Peter Townsend and King George VI were used during the pre-wedding preparations:
- There was a young lady name Sally,
Who enjoy the occasional dally.
She sat on a lap of a well-endowed chap
And cried, "Sir! You're right up my alley!" - There was an old countess of Bray,
And you may think it odd when I say
That despite her high station, rank, and education,
She always spelled "c--t" with a K.
- There was a young lady name Sally,
Gallery[]
Episode Guide[]
| Season 1 |
|---|
| Wolferton Splash • Hyde Park Corner • Windsor • Act of God • Smoke and Mirrors • Gelignite • Scientia Potentia Est • Pride & Joy • Assassins • Gloriana |