Villagers visit King George at Christmas
In a poignant scene in the popular dramatic series "The Crown," Christmas carolers are depicted visiting King George VI at his family's country estate in Sandringham.
The scene takes place during the Christmas season of 1951. By this time, King George VI has been diagnosed with lung cancer, though this information is not yet known to most of the royal family.
A group of local villagers arrives at Sandringham House to sing a Christmas carol for the royal family. The carol they choose to perform is "In the Bleak Midwinter," based on a poem by Christina Rossetti.
The most touching moment occurs when the smallest caroler, a little girl, steps forward to present the king with a gift: a paper crown. King George VI, upon opening his gift, immediately puts on the crown.
The king then stands and, after several moments of silence, wordlessly takes the child's hand in his and walks with her to rejoin the group of carolers. Standing in their midst, the king joins in singing the final verses of the song. The lyrics, which ponder what gifts one can offer to Christ, take on a profound meaning for the king, who knows he is dying. Overwhelmed with emotion, he weeps softly. Then, in a truly remarkable gesture, he turns and takes the closest carolers by the hands and whispers to each one "thank you."
This scene is rich in symbolism:
The paper crown serves as a humble counterpoint to the actual crown, symbolizing the king's mortality.
The song's lyrics about giving one's heart resonate deeply with the king's situation.
The moment foreshadows the impending transition of power to Princess Elizabeth.
While this specific scene is likely fictional, it draws on real elements of King George VI's last Christmas. The king was known for his Christian faith and faced his mortality with dignity.
This scene in "The Crown" effectively captures the emotional weight of King George VI's final Christmas, blending historical context with dramatic storytelling to create a memorable and touching moment.
