The Crown: Netflix’s Story of the Royal Family
Since its first season aired on Netflix on November 4, 2016, The Crown has been one of the world’s favorite shows.
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Over six its seasons, it follows the life of the Royal Family of the United Kingdom, specifically the experience of Queen Elizabeth II, from her coronation to her final days.
Portraying One of the Most Famous Women in the World
For almost a century, Queen Elizabeth II has been one of the most famous, beloved, debated, and even hated women on the planet. Portraying her was a challenging and incredible undertaking for the three actresses who braved the role.
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Because the show followed the entire adult life of the former Queen, each one played the Queen at a different age. And while the entire world was anxious that one wouldn’t be as good as the other, in the end, they each received rave reviews.
The Young Queen
The show begins as a young Princess Elizabeth gets the call that her father, King George, has passed away. Within seconds, she becomes the reigning Queen of Great Britain.
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Claire Foy plays the young, newly-appointed Queen with absolute perfection. Her fears, anxieties, and dedication to learning what being a monarch make Claire, as well as the Queen herself, endearing and lovable.
The Queen in Her Prime
During the Queen’s reign through her middle age years, she is portrayed expertly by Olivia Coleman.
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The show explains the struggles she experiences attempting to be both a mother and a Queen, and the almost crippling inability to do both jobs well.
The Queen as the World Remembers
And finally, Imelda Staunton is Queen Elizabeth II, as the modern world knows and remembers her.
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Imelda’s incredible acting is something to behold. However, in the last few seasons, the Queen’s story has taken a backseat to the story of Charles and Diana until the final half of season six, when the Queen comes back with a bang.
The Final Episode of The Crown
The very last episode is set in 2005 and shows Imelda as the Queen, essentially reliving her life and looking forward to what the future may hold.
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The Queen was then 80 years old and had recently lost both her mother and her sister, Princess Margaret, played in the final seasons by Lesley Manville.
Taking Stock of One’s Life
In the episode, it shows the Queen questioning what is next for herself, her son, Prince Charles, and the monarchy itself.
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She clearly shows the immense struggle she feels while trying to decide whether or not she should abdicate the throne for her son to finally rule, or remain Queen until her last breath.
A Changing Monarchy
In the real world, it has been clear for nearly a decade that the general public adores Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, more than they ever truly loved Prince Charles or, for some, the Queen herself.
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In the final episode, the Queen quite clearly understands that the popularity of Prince William, and her lack thereof, may be the sign she was waiting for to move on and allow the next generations to lead.
The Crown’s Incredible Dream Sequences
As the Queen contemplates everything, her middle-aged self, played by Olivia Coleman, appears to her as if in a dream.
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And she tells herself that to abdicate is the path. The younger Queen says, “Stepping down is the right thing to do, as Queen and as a mother.”
Her Youngest Self Has Advice as Well
While the Queen is preparing her abdication speech she plans to give on Charles’ wedding day, her youngest self, played by Claire Foy, appears in another dream.
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And she has quite a different message. The young Queen says, “Monarchy is something you are, not what you do.”
The Queen’s Final Moments
As the world knows, the Queen’s younger self won that internal debate. She lived out every day of her very long life as the reigning monarch.
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In the very last scene of The Crown, the Queen attends her own funeral, knowing and proud that she dedicated her life to Great Britain and the monarchy, just as she promised herself she would all those years ago.