Stephen Ward- The Mysterious Character Behind ‘The Crown’s’ Intriguing Plot Twists

Who was Stephen Ward in The Crown? This question has intrigued many fans of the popular Netflix series. Stephen Ward, portrayed by Ben Chaplin, was a real-life London socialite and osteopath who played a significant role in the political and social upheaval of the 1960s. His connections with prominent figures, including Princess Margaret and other members of the British aristocracy, made him a central figure in the events that unfolded in the series.

Stephen Ward was born on November 15, 1913, in the small town of Epsom, Surrey, England. He attended Epsom College and later went on to study osteopathy, a holistic healthcare system that focuses on the musculoskeletal system. Ward opened his own osteopathic practice in London, which quickly became a social hub for the city’s elite.

As his social circle expanded, Ward became friends with numerous celebrities, politicians, and royalty. He was known for his charm and ability to bring people together, which earned him the nickname “the man who brought them up.” His connections with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, were particularly notable. The pair became close friends, and Ward was often seen at royal events and functions.

However, Ward’s life took a darker turn when he became involved in a series of events that would eventually lead to his downfall. In the early 1960s, he began introducing young women to high-profile clients, including politicians and royalty. Some of these women were underage, and Ward was accused of procuring them for his clients. This became the basis for the “Profumo affair,” a major political scandal that would rock the British government and society.

The Profumo affair began when a young woman named Christine Keeler claimed that she had had sexual relations with John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War. Ward was soon implicated in the scandal, as he was believed to have arranged the encounter between Profumo and Keeler. The affair became public when Keeler revealed that she had also been involved with another high-profile figure, Soviet diplomat Yevgeny Ivanov.

The Profumo affair had significant consequences for the British government. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan resigned, and the scandal led to the fall of several other prominent politicians. Ward himself faced legal troubles and was eventually charged with living off immoral earnings. He was sentenced to two years in prison but was released on parole after serving only nine months.

Stephen Ward’s life and the events surrounding the Profumo affair have been the subject of much debate and speculation. The Crown, based on Peter Conradi’s book “The Profumo Scandal,” portrays Ward as a complex character, caught between his desire to maintain his social status and his moral compass. The series highlights the impact of the scandal on Ward’s personal life, as well as the broader implications for British society.

While the series takes creative liberties with some aspects of Ward’s life, it does offer a compelling portrayal of the man and the era in which he lived. Who was Stephen Ward in The Crown? He was a man whose social connections and personal choices placed him at the center of a major political scandal, and whose legacy continues to be debated to this day.