British Royal PODs

So, I've been rewatching Netflix's "The Crown" recently, and as many good history shows will do, as I watched a myriad of PODs popped up and I was curious about what others thought about them, and what the consequences would have been had decisions been made differently.

- Queen Elizabeth (and her children) keeping her husband's last name (Mountbatten) instead of staying Windsor

- The Queen and her family keeping her home at Clarence House instead of moving into Buckingham Palace

- Princess Margaret being allowed to marry Townsend

- The "Great Smog" of 1952 lasts slightly longer, and Churchill's government topples (and/or the Queen suggests he resign)

- The Duke of Windsor is allowed to return to Britain with his wife for either the funeral of his brother or the coronation of his niece (or both).

- Anthony Eden is able to convince George V to try and convince Churchill to resign prior to his death in 1952.

- Churchill dies in 1952 because of his stroke, or the Queen or Parliament find out about his incapacitation and insist he step down/be removed.

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Some of my thoughts:
- With regards to the Royal Family not moving into Buckingham Palace, this could lead to the Palace becoming a more public museum with greater access to tours, in addition to being the official "office" of the Sovereign and the place where public events are done. I'm actually looking at playing on this theme in my Washington Burns TL in the near future, having a sitting President insist on living in a small, more modern home and turning the presidential residence into a office and more public museum.

With the rest, I don't know enough of the specifics to make too many predictions, but can recognize potentially major changes when I see them.
 
Why the queen would decide that not move to Buckingham? It has been royal residence since days of queen Victoria and I don't see this changing without good reason.
 
Buckingham Palace is the 'Royal Office' and has been since the days of Victoria, So unless destroyed in the War that is where the reigning monarch will reside.
 
- The "Great Smog" of 1952 lasts slightly longer, and Churchill's government topples (and/or the Queen suggests he resign)

This one was largely made up for the series I'm afraid to make it more dramatic - there was little serious political turmoil over the Smog and no potential moves by the Labour Party to act on it. Its unlikely that even a longer smog would have toppled Churchill's government.
 
How about, well, Fergie being well-behaved after her marriage to Prince Andrew in 1986? I know it's quite semi-ASB for her part.
 
Why the queen would decide that not move to Buckingham? It has been royal residence since days of queen Victoria and I don't see this changing without good reason.

Buckingham Palace is the 'Royal Office' and has been since the days of Victoria, So unless destroyed in the War that is where the reigning monarch will reside.

Well, in the series, it is mentioned that Prince Phillip doesn't want to move into Buckingham Palace. They had only just finished the renovations on Clarence House and Phillip (in the series) states that it's one of the first places to feel like home. Basically along the lines that Clarence House felt smaller and more home-like, whereas Buckingham Palace was large and drafty etc.

I know it isn't the most likely thing to happen, but I don't think it's totally impossible. The family continues to live in Clarence House but the Monarchy continues to business and official functions at the palace.

In the end (again, according to the show, I've not been able to find this elsewhere at this point), Elizabeth asked to stay at Clarence House, but Churchill and the cabinet balked and Elizabeth conceded the point.

Also, from what I've read, King Edward VIII didn't live at Buckingham Palace, at least not the entire time of his reign.

This one was largely made up for the series I'm afraid to make it more dramatic - there was little serious political turmoil over the Smog and no potential moves by the Labour Party to act on it. Its unlikely that even a longer smog would have toppled Churchill's government.

Ah, I wondered. Hadn't had the chance yet to look into it past the series. It did make for good, dramatic television.
 
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The Queen isn't suggesting a Prime Minister resign. That is not done.

I'm aware it generally isn't done. But in theory it could happen, given the right set of "perfect storm" circumstances.

But a lot of it would depend on the temperament of the monarch and the specific situation going on.

For example, the 1952 strokes of Churchill. It wouldn't have come as an order, but I could see the Queen trying to gently (or not so gently) suggest it's time for him to retire.

Agreed, unlikely, given Elizabeth II's general outlook and behavior.
 
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