by Mady Siester 

(Image From, The Crown Season 5: First Look at Imelda Staunton’s Queen Elizabeth II) 

Have you ever wondered what was going on behind royal closed doors? That is what Peter Morgan tries to depict in his Emmy-winning show The Crown. Although playing a major role in the United Kingdom’s public scene, it is hard to get a real insight into how the royal family handles things privately. The series is written with history in mind, retracing the most critical moments of Elizabeth II’s reign. Still, the show required elements of fiction to portray the royal reality. 

With an average grade of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, it is easy to understand the success of The Crown. Since the show aired in 2016, the series has won several Emmy Awards, notably the Outstanding Drama Series reward in 2021. Besides the figures and awards, let me explain why you should watch The Crown. 

The Grandeur and Genius of the New Elizabethan Age  

In a behind-the-scenes interview for Netflix, Peter Morgan, the show’s director, explained he wanted to represent the simplicity, honesty, and majesty of Elizabeth II embodied throughout her 70-year-long reign. This grand “love letter to the Queen” is a serious, spectacular, and sharply beautiful result. The series’ six seasons cover the reign of an unwavering Queen who delved into politics and dealt with scandals and the passing of time with a remarkable sense of duty and service. As the show unfolds, we can witness what Churchill called “the grandeur and genius of the Elizabethan age.” Grand was she, Elizabeth II, Queen of England, steady Head of State for seven decades. She was there before us, and we thought could never die. 

The effort put into every detail, from the decor to the costumes, is exceptional. The show transports us into the world of the late 1900s through Buckingham Palace’s doors. We sit with the Queen and the Prime Ministers and drink tea with the royal family. We are invited to State Banquets, State meetings, and diplomatic encounters. Peter Morgan shows us the best of the monarchy but does not forget to picture the worst of it. The series features everything from the ‘Camilla’gate in 1993 to Diana’s death, the family downfall, and the numerous times when the monarchy was unpopular among Britons. 

The Monarchy Through the Veil of Fiction 

In The English Constitution, Walter Bagehot wrote that “[monarchy’s] mystery is its life.” What good does a fictional piece like The Crown do to an institution as old as the British Monarchy? Well, not that much. 

Members of the royal family have been asked for their opinions about the show through several interviews and encounters. Prince William didn’t watch it, but the Queen loved it, even though she disagreed with how her husband’s relationship with young Charles was depicted. In an interview with James Corden, Prince Harry said the show was “fictional” but “loosely based on the truth.” 

If you are keen on history or just passionate about the royal family’s history, you will probably notice that the historical sequencing is not entirely accurate. In addition to the chronological condensing, the show depicts the internal turmoil that shook the royal family occasionally. 

When watching The Crown, it is important to remember that the characters’ reactions, behaviors, or words are exaggerated for the show’s needs. Information known to the public is accurate; what happened in the Queen’s drawing room comes from the writer’s mind. Under the pressure of several public figures, such as former Prime Minister John Major (portrayed in the series by Johnny Lee Miller), Netflix was forced to clarify the use of fiction in the show’s description. 

The Handbag is Closed 

Beyond providing an internal insight into one of the world’s most famous families, the purpose of this show is to help us understand how the Queen could have felt while navigating through history. We saw the Queen occasionally waving to the crowds during her outings or big celebrations. We saw the Queen wearing bright colors to be seen from afar. 

However, one of the major parts of her role was that she had to stay silent. The Crown gave her a voice she dutifully never had. And the voice she has in this show is accurate and respectful. Peter Morgan created something beautiful, although sometimes controversial. And yet, the series will forever play a part in depicting the life of the most iconic Queen the planet has ever known.