| Original caption: “Neville Chamberlain leaves Number Eleven Downing Street for Buckingham Palace in London, England on June 6, 1937. Chamberlain is to receive from the King his designation as successor to Stanley Baldwin as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. Chamberlain will then return to Ten Downing Street, the British Prime Minister’s official residence.” Conservative Party politician Neville Chamberlain (March 18, 1869 – November 9, 1940) succeeded Stanley Baldwin (August 3, 1867 – December 14, 1947) as prime minister on May 28, 1937. Soon after the abdication Baldwin announced that he would remain until shortly after the coronation of King George VI (December 14, 1895 – February 6, 1952) and Queen Elizabeth II (April 21, 1926 – September 8, 2022). On May 28, 2 weeks after the Coronation, Baldwin resigned, advising the King to send for Chamberlain. Neville’s brother Austen (October 16, 1863 – March 16, 1937) did not live to see his brother’s appointment as Prime Minister, having died 2 months earlier. At age 68, he was the 2nd-oldest person in the 20th century to become prime minister for the 1st time. He was “an old man in a hurry” in his search for peace. He reached out to Italian Premier Benito Mussolini (July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945) almost immediately, laying the groundwork for what would become the Munich Conference the following year that would dismember Czechoslovakia and give the United Kingdom time to rearm. As national newspapers reported: “Mr. Chamberlain Becomes Premier – Mr. Baldwin Hand Over Office. Mr. Baldwin’s small blue car drew up to the door of No. 10, and in a minute or two the Prime Minister stepped out into the sunshine of a perfect May morning.” “He was hatless, and in one hand he held a favorite curved briar pipe. and in the other one or two documents. He looked rather pale, but stood with a slight smile on his face, for several minutes while photographers and cinema men took many snaps of him. Only a few of the general public witnessed the Prime Minister’s departure to see the King at Buckinngham Palace.” “Mr. Baldwin reached the palace at 0920 Hours. Only a small knot of people who were standing outside the Palace Gates saw him drive into the Palace. Smoking his pipe, Mr. Baldwin sat in the back of the car. He was in morning dress, and was bareheaded.” “He stepped from the car at the Privy Purse door, and was at once conducted to the King’s private apartments, where he formally handed his regulation to the King.” “Mr. Baldwin was looking serious as he drove into the Palace. The sentries saluted as his car passed through the gates.” His Advice “The King accepted Mr. Baldwin’s regulation, and, in accordance with constitutional usage, asked his advice about the new Prime Minister.” “Mr. Baldwin suggested to the King that Mr. Neville Chamberlain should be called upon to form a new Cabinet, and the King accepted this advice.” “Mr. Baldwin left the Palace at 1000 Hours. As his car drove out of the Palace gates, he was given a cheer by the handful of spectators. Mr. Baldwin, who was smiling, waved his hand in. Acknowledgment of the greeting.” “Mr. Baldwin, no longer Prime Minister, returned from the Palace Number Ten Downing Street at 1030 Hours, having been absent nearly an hour. He was still hatless, and did not on that occasion pause the photographer, but hurried straight into Number Ten.” “Forty-Six minutes after Mr. Baldwin had driven from Downing Street, Mr. Neville Chamberlain came out of Number Eleven, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was in formal morning dress, and wore a top hat. He stood smiling cheerfully for two or three minutes, while the photographers were busy.” “During the weekend, Mr. Chamberlain will move next door to Number Ten, while Mr. Baldwin will leave Number Ten Downing Street for a quiet holiday at Chequers.” “By the time Chamberlain left, the crowd in Downing Street had increased. He smilingly acknowledged their greetings, and also returned the salute of the policemen on duty. These quiet and unostentatious changes in the administration, where incidentally, being made to musical accompaniment, for an Horse Guards Parade the Guards were reheasgin the ceremony of Trooping the Color.” “Ten minutes after Mr. Baldwin had left Buckingham Palace, Mr. Neville Chamberlain arrived. The outgoing Premiere and the incoming Premier passed each other in their cars in the Mall.” “Mr. Chamberlain was shown at once to the King’s private apartments, where he was received in audience. Mr. Chamberlain kissed the King’s hand on his appointment as Prime Minister.” “Mr. Chamberlain told the King that he would take steps to form a cabinet.” “When Mr. Chamberlain drove to the Palace, it was noted that for the first time he had a Scotland Yard bodyguard with him. Hitherto he has not troubled to have an official escort, but now that he is taking over the Premiership, he will no doubt follow the usual practice., and have a detective always near him on public occasions.” “Mr. Baldwin’s first visitor after he had resigned was Mr. Douglas Hacking [(August 4, 1884 – July 29, 1950)], Chairman of the Conservative Party organization.” “About 1045 Hours, Mr. Walter Runciman [(November 19, 1870 – November 14, 1949)] walked across from the Board of Trade to Number Ten Downing Street. A number of friends of the new Premier and Mr. Baldwin were apparently “saying it with flowers,” as several bouquets were delivered at 1000 ad 1100 Hours, during the morning.” “Mr. Chamberlain left Buckingham Palace shortly before 1100 Hours. None of the big crowd watching the Changing of the Guard recognized him as the car drove towards Downing Street, where it arrived at 1054 Hours. As he alighted, Mr. Chamberlain acknowledged the cheers of the large crowd.” “Mr. Baldwin’s retirement from the premiership, and the peerages created in the Honors List, will cause Parliamentary vacancies at Bewdley, Hemel Hempstead, and Saint Ives, and the number of by-elections to ten.” “Mr. Baldwin had represented the Bewdley Division of Worcestershire since February 1908, when he succeeded his father. At the last General Election he was returned unopposed, as he had been in 1931.” “A wise and comforting counsel to her husband, Mrs. Baldwin has always held the view that the welfare of the nation is closely bound up with the home-life go the people. Consequently, everything connected with the home is of the deepest interest to her. She has associated with many schemes for the improvement of maternity and child welfare services.” | |
| Image Filename | wwii0470.jpg |
| Image Size | 202.23 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1004 x 1290 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | June 6, 1937 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
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| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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