The Crown: Recapping every episode from the show’s third season
Episode 7: “Moondust”
In this episode, the royal family is watching Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins land on the moon. Everyone is amazed, but Prince Philip is glued to the television. The prince watches TV coverage of the whole expedition, and he is moved to tears witnessing the journey. He is so enthralled with the expedition to the moon because it represents the adventurer he once dreamed of being.
During this time, Bishop Robin Woods became Dean of Windsor. He asks Prince Philip if he can use an empty house to create St. George’s House, a place where clergymen who feel like they’ve hit a wall in their lives can share their difficulties. Prince Philip has no interest but gives him permission anyway. He doesn’t believe looking to religion or discussing feelings will solve anyone’s problems.
At this time — and throughout this episode — Prince Philip is visibly not content with his life. He’s an alpha male, and during previous seasons, we watched him cope with playing second fiddle to his wife. He wanted to have an illustrious Naval career, but it had to be discontinued when his wife became Queen at a young age. He wanted a life of adventure and discovery, not one giving speeches or cutting ribbons. He feels like the astronauts really found the answer to happiness and living a meaningful life.
Noticing his restlessness, the Queen schedules an audience for the royal family to meet with the astronauts. Prince Philip takes this opportunity to ask them about the journey and how it feels to be close to something so magnificent. Their answers are lackluster, and Prince Philip is disappointed. He hoped the younger men would have the answers for his incomplete life.
After this, Prince Philip turns to Dean Woods and the men at St. George House to help him in this crisis. He realizes he needs faith to help him get out of his funk. Dean Woods and Prince Philip remain close friends, and St. George House “for over 50 years is still a center for the exploration of faith and philosophy.”