The Crown on Netflix

[TheHiphopopotamus]

Had a look but couldn't see another thread.

Anyone else watched any? Just seen the first episode and can't make my mind up. I'm ambivalent towards the monarchy but the production seems sumptuous. It's nice seeing all the 40's/50's fashions though.

Alex Jennings is really good as the Duke of Windsor. At first blush, it seems a sympathetic portrayal but the contrast between his persona with his family and his letters back to Wallis is sharp. I really liked the exchange where Elizabeth points out that he never apologized to her about giving up the throne and leaving her, as well as her father, with the responsibility.

I think there's some kind of documentary about Prince Philip on this evening, if anyone's interested? Channel 4?

Thanks! I'll watch that!

I'm on Episode 7 having been in a binge since yesterday . It's rare that's I watch a serial, but this has pulled me right in.
I've been totally impressed by it so far, and like others have said, it's so clear how the Queen was almost bullied by the men of "the establishment" at Buck Palace.
I'm impressed at how much the actress playing Margaret looks like the actual Margaret-I'm not sure I could forgive my sister over the Peter romance though!!

I am loving this. Gave ep1 a watch earlier to make sure I didn't want to watch it, I am on ep5 now. :o

I've watched 2 & it's a bloody sobfest so far!

In the Bleak Mid Winter in ep 1 & now the King's death.

You tend to forget, imo as it's part of history, but it's also about real people who have lost a father, son & husband.

I did wonder about all the curtseying at the end how true that was.

You'd think that they'd all be sobbing & hugging -although not in front of the staff, natch!

I suppose you wouldn't be thinking straight, but when Lascelles said that "The Crown" always goes first, I'm surprised that she didn't insist that Philip walk down with her.

And I'm sure she could have retired Lascelles, although I don't think that he held the post long after she became Queen, did he?

Watched this with DH who never watches period dramas, but heard a radio interview with Matt S so was interested in it.

Thought it well acted and well produced. However, I'm always a bit cynical with real,life dramas because how can they know what was actually said during conversations.

Really enjoying it

228 The writer has said that he can't possibly know what the conversations were behind closed doors, that's why it's a drama based on actual events. To be fair, Royal correspondents do the same thing, but pass on their sycophantic guess work as news, which is much worse, IMO.

It seems so long ago, doesn't it, but to think that it's still those two, and that her mum didn't die that long ago.

My mum was in London for the Coronation & has a photo of the carriage going by.

We've watched the first 3 episodes so far and really really enjoying it. There have been a few moments re historical accuracy such as Margaret being allowed to see the King's body during embalming and the discussions between Churchill and the Duke of Windsor, but they're alllowed a bit of dramatic licence I suppose.

Currently watching the documentary on Prince Philip (on C4+1).

If anyone wants a good Royal-read, I can highly reccommend Gyles Brandreth's "Philip and Elizabeth" Amazon link.

Got to wait till next weekend to watch the rest as DH is away until Friday night

I wonder how different things might have been if "Uncle David" hadn't abdicated.

Likely Elizabeth would have been Queen, but 20yrs later.

If he hadn't abdicated I suspect we'd no longer have a monarchy. He was a Nazi sympathiser and cared for nothing but his own pleasure: he'd have been incredibly unpopular and probably bankrupted himself.

A quote attributed to both Noel Coward and Winston Churchill said "A statue of Wallis Simpson should be erected in every town in England" in gratitude for saving the country from such a bad King.

True.

I'm sure that I read somewhere that George vi had to buy Sandringham & Balmoral from him.

It's the entitlement, isn't it?

No, I'm not going to do my job, I hate you all for the way you disrespect my wife, but give us the money!!!

I find it hard to believe that Elizabeth would have wanted to change from House of Windsor, as it hadn't been called it for that long & Mountbatten is hardly English sounding!

Although isn't the surname Mountbatten-Windsor!

Dickie Mountbatten seems horrible so far!

I'm enjoying it - when Queen Mary came down the corridor dressed in mourning, and made a deep courtesy to the Queen, I cried.

Queen Mary was very old school regarding protocol, etc. She adored her son David but would not have any truck with him marrying Wallis Simpson.

According to the Prince Philip documentary tonight it is historical fact that Mountbatten gave a big dinner days after the King's funeral and toasted the House of Mountbatten. It's also true that one of the guests (they didn't say who) went to Queen Mary to tell her.

The non-direct descendants are now Mountbatten-Windsor, it was decreed after Princess Anne's wedding. So Dickie did get a small victory of sorts!

I've just finished watching episode 7. Is it me or was it heavily implied at the end of the episode that the queen cancelled a meeting with her new private secretary so she could give Philip a blow job?!

How unlike the home life of our own dear... oh.

Not just you Clara!!

I have seen it all.

I will watch it again.

That scene with Harriet Walter and the painting and the words that came up afterwards!

Brilliant programme

The episode about churchill's painting was very good and could stand alone as a mini film in itself imo.

Did the queen mother actually buy that castle in Scotland btw? Is it still owned by royalty? When will queen mother start wearing gaudy clothes and start looking like Barbara Cartland? Remember my mum and aunt bitching about her dress sense back in the day!

The Castle of Mey.

Mamagin so did I, also when she was told her son had died. Cried like a baby.

I'm really enjoying it ! Have watched the first four episodes. I agree that CF has got the Queens voice off perfectly. It's just such an absolute joy to watch. Apparently it's set to run for six seasons, each with ten episodes!

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/6520837/Princess-Margaret-recently-unearthed-letter-sheds-new-light-on-decision-not-to-marry.html

This is interesting.

It hadn't dawned on me that Elizabeth only became queen because Edward abdicated. IF he'd become king then as it was said upthread God knows what would've happened as he was a nazi sympathiser OR if he and Wallis had had children they would've carried on the line.

Even dh and ds are watching with me and they hate anything like this! We spent all evening googling about Churchill and the smog etc!

I think this has been touched upon in a few posts, but how historically accurate is it? I'm really enjoying it, but have to keep Wikipedia open next to me to find out more as I go along.

I always wonder, do the Royal Family have to give permission for this sort of thing?