Top 10 Most Bittersweet Moments on The Crown
#10: The Queen Says Goodbye to HMY Britannia “Decommissioned”
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In season five, the Queen fights to secure a financial bailout for her yacht, the HMY Britannia, but the government and taxpayers don't share her sentimental attachment. In the season finale, Tony Blair's New Labour winning the election deals the final blow. The new Prime Minister suggests an alternative solution to keep the ship afloat, but it's not what the Queen hoped to hear. So, she concedes it's time to say goodbye and pays the yacht one final visit. As she walks from room to room, recounting cherished memories, her face reflects palpable sorrow. It emphasizes yet another personal sacrifice made for the sake of the establishment.
#9: The Queen Mother Faces a Crossroads “Pride & Joy”
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Following King George VI’s statue unveiling, the Queen Mother reflects on her life, the sacrifices she and her husband made, and her uncertain path without him. Complicating matters, her daughters are navigating a rough patch in their relationship. Seeking solace, she ventures to Scotland, where the weight of despair truly sinks in. As the episode unfolds, she discovers a real connection with the open Scottish countryside, especially when she makes a meaningful connection with someone unaware of her title. In the episode's final moments, she gazes over the picturesque Scottish scenery, contemplating what she's lost, what she's found, and what she'll be leaving behind if she decides to stay.
#8: The Australia Trip “Terra Nullius”
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Despite a rocky start to their Australian trip, a heart-to-heart marks a pivotal moment in the Prince and Princess of Wales’s relationship. They seem genuinely happy and in love for a while and like the perfect little family. The romance is turned up a notch when Charles and Diana share a dance during a reception, but we know it’s just a fleeting moment. We get another glimmer of hope when Charles joins Diana in her bedroom later that night. However, it doesn't take long for his jealousy over her popularity to cast a shadow over their happiness. This unravels the thread of marital bliss they’d recently woven. Meanwhile, the memory of that dance fades into the distance.
#7: Churchill’s Portrait “Assassins”
For Winston Churchill’s 80th birthday, artist Graham Sutherland is commissioned to paint his portrait. While he’s initially apprehensive about the painter's modernist style, the two soon bond and the PM even starts confiding in him. During one of his sittings, we learn that Churchill copes with grief by painting, often focusing on a fishpond he installed after losing his youngest child, Marigold. This is one of the rare times we pierce through Churchill’s steel armor and glimpse the vulnerability hiding beneath. He's furious when the portrait is unveiled and lashes out at its creator. But later, he admits it depicts an honest reflection he’s not yet ready to face.
#6: The Night Dodi Proposes “Dis-Moi-Oui”
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As soon as Diana entered the picture, audiences apprehensively anticipated this tragic episode. But before that fateful event, we’re given a few heartwarming moments marred by the inevitable devastating conclusion. One example is Diana's phone call with her sons; little do they know it'll be their last. But it’s the talk after Diana turns down Dodi's proposal that feels like the biggest gut punch. They both open up about what they think the other needs to feel more content. By the end of their makeshift therapy session, both show readiness for new chapters and happy beginnings. Their optimism is touching, but it stings more, knowing what fate awaits them.
#5: The Duke of Windsor Asks for Forgiveness “Dangling Man”
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The Queen’s uncle isn’t often painted favorably. The family still resents him for abdicating; he patronizes his niece and colludes with the Nazis to take back the throne. Despite this, there are moments we feel sympathy for him, like when he mourns his old life after the Queen’s coronation. In a later season, now nearing the end of his life, he and the Queen reunite. He admits to underestimating her and apologizes for turning her life upside down; she surprisingly expresses gratitude for the life she was granted. Say what you will about the Duke, but their reconciliation is heartbreaking, even more so that it only happens in his final days.
#4: Princess Alice’s Story “Bubbikins”
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This season three episode puts Philip’s mother, Princess Alice, under the spotlight. Her story is truly remarkable, revealing resilience and compassion through challenging times. We delve into her struggles with mental health, mistreatment by others, and the strength she finds in her faith. While “The Crown” only skims the surface of her extraordinary dedication to humanity, it's enough to grasp that she was an exceptional person who was unjustly misunderstood. In the episode, even her son underestimates her, spending most of his time avoiding her. However, after reading a profile in The Guardian, he's just as much in awe of her as the rest of us.
#3: Princess Margaret & Peter Townsend Reunite “Annus Horribilis”
When Margaret reconnects with an old flame, we join her on a journey down memory lane. We’re reminded how her and Peter's fight for love was thwarted at the final hurdle. We also recall Margaret's decision to marry Antony Armstrong-Jones after learning of Peter's remarriage. Their reunion after so many years stirs emotions, inviting contemplation of what might've been. Meanwhile, their final meeting has them nostalgically reminiscing about old times and the future they once envisioned together. With one last kiss, we find comfort in their reunion but can't help but feel a touch of sadness for the life they never had. The Queen’s long-overdue apology poignantly punctuates this bittersweet story.
#2: The Season Five Ending “Decommissioned”
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Season five of “The Crown” navigates the delicate dance between tradition and a rapidly changing modern world. Letting go of the past, especially parts attached to fond memories can be hard. Yet, starting a new chapter can be invigorating, refreshing, and, sure, even a little scary. The season’s final scene conveys this beautifully. The Queen reluctantly bids farewell to a piece of her past, acknowledging the need for her establishment to evolve. Diana anticipates her new life, hopeful for freedom and happiness. However, foresight reminds us this promising new chapter will tragically be cut short. Both gaze at their reflections, seeing echoes of the past and glimpses of the future. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Diana Dances & Rollerblades around the Palace, “Fairytale” We Can’t Skate Paste Her Loneliness The Queen Bids Farewell to Another Prime Minister, “Decommissioned” After John Major’s Crushing Defeat, the Queen Expresses Gratitude for Their Warm Working Relationship Sydney Johnson, “Mou Mou” Even in His Short Appearance, Johnson Managed to Move & Devastate Us Divorce with a Side of Scrambled Eggs, “Couple 31” The Couple Share an Amicable Chat, Leaving Viewers to Ponder What Could’ve Been Dodi and Mohammed’s Reconciliation, “Aftermath” A Father’s Regret for Not Making Amends with His Son before It Was Too Late
#1: The Last Christmas Carol “Wolferton Splash”
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When carolers visit the family, King George VI dons his newly gifted crown, stands up, and joins in. As he sings, he’s overcome with emotion, much to the surprise of his family. But they're unaware of a secret shared by the King, Prime Minister, and audience— the King is dying. The night before his passing, he gives another stirring musical performance alongside Princess Margaret. Later, he watches his elder daughter on television, grieving that he won’t be around to guide her into this momentous role. Still, the Christmas gathering hits us the hardest. As the family cherishes the festivities, they’re unaware that this will be their last holiday season with their beloved patriarch. Which moment from “The Crown” hit you in the feels the hardest? Let us know in the comments.
