Photos
Quotes
-
Anthony Eden : I'm sorry if I, uh... disappointed you.
Queen Elizabeth II : Did I suggest that you had?
Anthony Eden : No, but I... I think you thought it.
Queen Elizabeth II : [sighs] I... I did think that the decision to go to war was rushed. And I was sorry to see you lie to the House, when you told them that you had no prior knowledge of the Israelis' intentions. We both know that to be untrue. But, wrong though it was... I did have sympathy for you. To have waited in the wings for so long and to have supported a great man like Winston so patiently, so loyally. And then to finally have your opportunity to measure yourself against him. To do nothing is often the best course of action... but I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be. History was not made by those who did nothing. So, I suppose it's only natural that ambitious men, driven men... want to go down in history.
Anthony Eden : Or make history by going down.
-
Harold MacMillan : Your Majesty.
Queen Elizabeth II : I gather soundings have been taken, and that you have been chosen by your colleagues as the man most able to unite the government and lead this country following Sir Anthony's resignation.
Harold MacMillan : Yes, ma'am.
Queen Elizabeth II : Congratulations. Although I fear you've inherited something of a poisoned chalice.
Harold MacMillan : [laughs] It's true. The storm is now raging against us. With Eden's war, we've discarded the moral advantage or any goodwill we once held. Not to mention the dire economic situation. It's really been quite ruinous.
Queen Elizabeth II : But it wasn't just Eden's war, was it? It was a war prosecuted by a government of which you, as chancellor, were a major constituent part. I also seem to remember that you were one of the loudest voices in support of the war in the beginning. One always has to accept one's own part, I believe... in any mess. Prime Minister.
Harold MacMillan : Your Majesty.
