Elizabeth II’s life ended on September 8, 2022, at the end of a reign of more than 70 years (second longest in history after Louis XIV). His death ended a long chapter in history, but also the beginning of a new era with the accession of his son Charles III.
The Crown has been on air since 2015, following the life of the monarch with one season dedicated to each decade of the reign. Thus, the program decided to change the performers every two seasons to help the characters age believably.
Played by Claire Foy, then Olivia Colman, Elizabeth is now played by Imelda Staunton. Three actors voiced their husband Prince Philip (Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, Jonathan Pryce), and Prince Charles was played by two different actors: Josh O’Connor in his younger years, then Dominic West in seasons 5 and 6.
Series creator Peter Morgan revealed in an interview that the Queen’s disappearance forced him to change the originally planned ending. Indeed, the final episode shows Elizabeth II agonizing over her own death as she begins to write her will and arrange her funeral.
The queen turned to face her own death
While her husband, Prince Philip, finds the job a pleasure, the Queen seems more melancholic in the face of her own death. It must be said that at this time (the episode takes place in 2005) the disappearance of his sister Margaret and the Queen Mother are still painful memories for the latter.
Therefore, the series does not end today, but at the crucial time when the succession began. It’s no coincidence that the series sees the Queen tempted to abdicate in favor of her son Charles, until the ghosts of her past finally convince her to keep the crown until she dies.
Olivia Colman and Claire Foy return in this final episode
It’s hard not to feel particularly emotional during the final scene of the series, when Elizabeth appears alone at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. We’re definitely thinking of her husband Philip’s funeral, which the Queen attended all alone due to the health protocol imposed in the Covid era.
And of course, the bagpipes (chosen personally by Elizabeth II) brought to mind the last memory of the Queen’s funeral in the same chapel, the sound of the instrument fading away as the monarch’s coffin was slowly lowered. To his final resting place in the crypt of the building.
Excerpt from the funeral of Elizabeth II:
Princes take two different paths
This episode also made it possible to resolve the quarrel between the two brothers William and Harry. While Diana’s death may have tied the two princes together forever, the fate of the future King of England and the one who describes himself as an alternative in his autobiography forced them to take different paths.
The two brothers, who still seem very close in 2005, take part in a costume party with a very bad taste theme: “Cologne and Slaves”. While one of their friends decides to go there dressed as Elizabeth II, Harry opts for a Nazi officer costume.
Photos taken by one of the guests will appear on the front page of the tabloids, which will lead to a huge controversy and a media lynching of the younger prince. The scandal would anger Charles, but Elizabeth II and Philip would be remarkably less harsh on him.
Luther Ford plays the role of Prince Harry in the last episodes of the series
Moreover, the affair would quickly become the subject of a Windsor joke, despite the painful memories it evoked (King Edward VIII’s pre-World War II rapprochement with Nazi Germany in particular).
A split seems inevitable when William decides to criticize Harry, even though the latter has confirmed his choice of suit. This “betrayal” seems to be the beginning of a rift between the two princes.
A few years later, Prince Harry decides to leave his family and royal responsibilities and settle in the United States with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children.
Long live the bride!
But the series also ends on a happier note with the marriage of Charles and Camilla. A marriage that was based on the agreement of the queen, who, against all expectations, accepted that her divorced son would remarry her longtime love.
With the couple’s blessing, the Queen also allowed Camilla to become Queen once Charles became king. An unexpected situation for a woman long regarded as the most hated woman in Britain and held responsible for the divorce and – indirectly – Diana’s death.
After forty years of secret love, two “young” newlyweds finally said yes. Of course, this choice was not to the taste of Prince William and Harry, but they could not deny that Camilla makes their father happy, despite the unshakable bond that still connects them with their mother Diana.
Thus, this Saturday, April 9, 2005, was a turning point in the reign of Elizabeth II. But contrary to what the series claims, there is no evidence to prove that the Queen almost announced her abdication that day. Considering the attachment of the latter to monarchical traditions, this theory even looks completely absurd.
The series The Crown ended in 2005, but the story of the royal family will continue to write modern history. William and Kate have since said yes to each other and their union has produced three children, including Prince George, who is now second in line to the British throne.
In more than seventy years of reign, Elizabeth II has weathered many crises, welcomed fifteen prime ministers (from Winston Churchill to Liz Strauss) and strengthened the royal family’s image around the world. Three kings succeeded him: his son Charles III, grandson William and grandson George.
After six seasons, the series of the British monarchy will continue, but for real this time. Weddings and funerals, official outings, hall noises in palaces and media squabbles… royal fans are still passionate about the adventures of the Windsor family!
All six seasons of The Crown are now available exclusively on Netflix.
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Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
