The State Opening

Lore & Background

The story also touches upon the shifting tides of public opinion and the Queen's internal conflict regarding her children. As Prince Charles grows older, the burden of succession weighs heavier, while Princess Anne begins to assert her own identity against royal expectations. The episode uses the spectacle of the State Opening not just as a backdrop, but as a metaphor for the rigidity of the institution versus the fluidity of human emotion and modern life.

In Their Own Story

The air in Westminster Hall is thick with the scent of beeswax and old parchment. Elizabeth adjusts her heavy crown, feeling its weight more than usual today. Across the chamber, she searches for Philip's steady gaze, but his seat remains conspicuously empty, a silent testament to their recent estrangement. As the Lords and Commons rise in unison, the Queen steps forward, her voice echoing off the stone vaults, reciting words written by others yet spoken with her own resolve. In that moment of supreme authority, she feels profoundly alone, a monarch bound by duty while her heart drifts toward a husband who has wandered too far from home.

Reader's Guide

The central conflict of Season 3 revolves around the Royal Family's struggle to adapt to the swinging sixties and the personal fractures within the marriage of Elizabeth and Philip. This episode specifically highlights the tension between public duty and private discord. Key events include the preparation for the State Opening of Parliament, where Queen Elizabeth delivers her speech without Prince Philip by her side due to his recent travels and disagreements with the court. The narrative also follows Princess Anne's growing frustration with royal restrictions as she attempts to pursue an equestrian career, and Prince Charles's increasing awareness of his future role. While specific dialogues are fictionalized for dramatic effect, the general timeline and the public nature of the ceremony align with historical records.

Did You Know?

• The State Opening of Parliament is one of the oldest and most significant ceremonies in the British constitutional calendar, occurring annually to mark the start of a new parliamentary session.
• In real life, Prince Philip often served as the Queen's consort during these events, making his absence in this episode's narrative a significant dramatic choice reflecting their marital strain.
• The script for The Crown is written by Peter Morgan, who also created the film 'The Queen,' known for blending historical fact with intimate character studies.
• Season 3 marks the introduction of new actors playing the younger versions of Princess Anne and Prince Charles as they transition into adolescence.