The Crown - Season 5

This colored look at the recent history of the British monarchy and the friction within the royal family caused quite a stir in 2022. Completely true or not, The Crown is required viewing material for Anglophiles! I need to get it off my chest; Prince Charles is portrayed by a much too handsome and charismatic actor in this season. Dominic West (The Wire) does an excellent job of depicting the good and bad sides of Charles, but I had a lot of trouble recognizing him as the dull British crown prince. Maybe a few cosmetic protruding ears would have helped?

I watched Prince Charles and Diana Spencer's fairytale wedding on TV in 1981. Like so many, I was a little in love with the beautiful young bride and had no idea what she saw in that dry stubble older man. My premonition came true. In the following years, more and more tragic reports of cracks in their relationship surfaced. The divorce in 1996 was therefore no longer a surprise to anyone.

The fact that the British monarchy puts its own interests first and always tries to keep up appearances is mercilessly portrayed.

The image that the British and the rest of the world had built up of Diana by this time could hardly be more positive. Many saw in her a sweet wife and caring mother who had to contend with the rigid rules of court, unsupported by her adulterous husband and hostile family. Her concern extended to the less fortunate, underprivileged youth and the seriously ill. She gave to others the love and attention they lacked from their fellow citizens.

Already during her life an image of an almost holy woman was created. Her unexpected and tragic death hit like a bomb. She became an untouchable angel in the eyes of the people. All of Britain turned out for her funeral procession. The image of the royal family and that of the press suffered a serious blow. They were seen as the indirect and direct cause of her misfortune.



This fifth season of the successful series The Crown sheds light on these and other dark pages of British royal history. Various members of the royal family appear to be misbehaving, Diana herself is not always spotless. The fact that the British monarchy puts its own interests first and always tries to keep up appearances is mercilessly portrayed. Flashbacks show that this used to be no different.

It is striking that Queen Elizabeth II does not always go unpunished. She is clearly weighed down by the combination of her royal obligations on the one hand and marital problems of herself and her children on the other. The way in which she deals with various small and large disasters gives a clear picture of the inhumanly heavy task she carries. The fact that she always has to give priority to her 'job' over her private life is not equally well understood and accepted by everyone. Only occasionally does she allow a glimpse of the woman behind the mask.

Opinions about the truthfulness of the series may be divided, but there is nothing but good to report about the actors.

Opinions about the truthfulness of the series may be divided, but there is nothing but good to report about the actors. Imelda Staunton (Flesh and Blood (2020) in particular is phenomenal in her role as the queen with a spine of steel. Lesley Manville (Sherwood (2022)) as Princess Margaret and Jonathan Pryce (Tales from the Loop) as Prince Philip are also very strong.

For me, the series confirmed that Diana entered this marriage too young and probably too naive. Charles should have exercised more self-control and mature manliness. The conclusion is that even people of royal blood are just people. Blessed and cursed by being born for a job they didn't choose. The series earns an 8.5 for the consistent quality of the script, the acting and the impeccable locations.