Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton and Claire Foy in episode 10 of season 6 of The Crown on Netflix.Photo:Justin Downing/Netflix
Justin Downing/Netflix
The Crown’s reign has officially come to an end on Netflix with the second installment of the sixth and final season.
The 72-minute “Sleep, Dearie Sleep” begins around 2005 and seesPrince Charles(Dominic West) askQueen Elizabeth(Imelda Staunton) for permission to marryCamilla Parker Bowles(Olivia Williams) at long last. The sovereign has hesitations and her mind is in other places, as her advisors guide her to plan for Operation London Bridge — the code name for her funeral arrangements.
Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth in episode 10 of season 6 of The Crown on Netflix.Justin Downing/Netflix
Mulling it over, the Queen asksPrince William(Ed McVey) andPrince Harry(Luther Ford) for their blessing. Perhaps foreshadowing of the rift to come, William says yes on both of their behalf for the sake of their father’s happiness — leaving Harry speechless.
Ed McVey as Prince William, Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth and Luther Ford as Prince Harry in episode 10 of season 6 of The Crown on Netflix.Netflix
Netflix
The Prince of Wales, as Charles was known at the time, tears up when his mother calls to give him permission to propose (which is indeed aroyal rule!) and drops to one knee at home, asking Camilla to marry him more than 30 years after their romance began. She says yes, and plans for their April 9, 2005 nuptials are set in motion.
“Oh Harry,” Queen Elizabeth says, adding to her woes.
At the same time, funeral planning and her looming 80th birthday made the monarch wonder how much longer she wanted to reign for.Olivia Colman(who played Queen Elizabeth in seasons 3 and 4 ofThe Crown) “visits” her to float the idea that it could be a good idea to abdicate in favor of Charles. Charles and Camilla’s wedding day arrives, and it’s clear that the Prince of Wales’ sons see it differently. William dutifully suits up for the civil ceremony atWindsor Guildhall, while Harry still seems stormily skeptical.
With much on her mind, Queen Elizabeth handwrites the reception speech she plans to make, which the royal family privately wondered if she would use to abdicate.Claire Foy(who played the young Queen in seasons 1 and 2 ofThe Crown)appears and urges her elder self to keep the oath she took and reign until she no longer could.
Queen Elizabeth attends Charles and Camilla’s wedding blessing atSt. George’s Chapeland makes a bright speech at the reception to wish the couple well, with no allusion to any plans to retire. Soon after, she finds herself alone with Prince William and reminds him to always be kind to Harry. “In many ways, it’s harder being number two than number one,” the Queen tells her grandson destined for the throne.
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Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles and Dominic West as Prince Charles in episode 10 of season 6 of The Crown on Netflix.Justin Downing/Netflix
The monarch slips away from the festivities to pray, andPrince Philip(Jonathan Pryce) compliments her remarks and confidence in carrying on “because those that come after you are not remotely ready to take over.” In a bittersweet exchange, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth mull the future of the monarchy itself and admit that they’ve looked at each other’s funeral plans, and the Duke of Edinburgh gives his wife’s hand a squeeze.
Alone in the chapel, the sole song that the Queen chose for her funeral — the bagpipe lament “Sleep, Dearie Sleep” — rings out, and she imagines her Royal Standard-draped coffin in the space with regalia and flowers atop it. A younger vision of herself (Viola Prettejohn) salutes her from the altar before Foy and Colman reappear in black dresses.
The dream-like sequence comes to a close as Queen Elizabeth inhales and walks alone through an airy hall, through a door into bright light.
All six seasons ofThe Crownare now streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com
