Instead of starting when Elizabeth (Claire Foy) ascends to the throne, the first season of The Crown starts just before she does. She’s in love and determined, even though a lot of people disagree with her choice of Philip Mountbatten (Matt Smith), the former Prince of Greece and Denmark. Following their 1947 nuptials, the newlyweds relocate to Malta.
A few years later, in response to Elizabeth’s father, King George VI (Jared Harris)’s failing health, the couple takes his place for a Commonwealth tour. On February 6, 1952, during that tour, George passed away, forcing Elizabeth and Philip to return to England. Let the (25-year-old) queen live forever.
Elizabeth puts a lot of effort into adjusting to the isolation and gravity of her position as sovereign during the season, as well as to the old role itself in light of the world’s fast changes. Not to be taken lightly, her confidential secretary, Tommy Lascelles (Pip Torrens), is her tutor to the complexities of life as the monarch.
It’s the 1950s, remember, so Philip finds it difficult to accept that his wife’s special status undercuts the power he believes he should have as a husband, which strains their union.
The Crown Season 1 Ending Explained
Elizabeth’s younger sister, Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), and her husband are also at odds over her new career. The impetuous and lively Margaret, a natural star, is envious of Elizabeth’s attention and dislikes her meticulous perfection.
But she comes to her sister and sovereign with a request: she wants to marry their father’s former equerry, Group Captain Peter Townsend (Ben Miles), with whom she has fallen in love. Elizabeth, even though Townsend is no longer married, wants to support the couple.
The abdication of Elizabeth’s uncle, David (Alex Jennings), the Duke of Windsor, who was formerly King Edward VIII until he abdicated to wed American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Lia Williams), casting Elizabeth’s father as the new king, hangs over the action like a shadow.
Elizabeth’s family is haunted by the abdication not only because it thrusts them into an unwelcome international spotlight but also because the controversy puts the monarchy’s very survival in jeopardy. Tommy and his replacement, Will Keen’s Michael Adeane, are ready to point to that institutional disaster if Elizabeth makes any unconventional suggestions, such as her desire to assist her sister.
Elizabeth is caught between family and the crown, love, and duty after hearing their advice. Ultimately, she understands that she is powerless and that Margaret and Peter cannot be let to marry. Eventually, another career of service comes to an end as Elizabeth’s reign takes off.
As the season opens, John Lithgow’s character, Winston Churchill, is reelected as prime minister. Despite his deteriorating health, Churchill refuses to resign from office and defies pressure from his colleagues. At last, the esteemed statesman steps down, and Anthony Eden (Jeremy Northam) takes over.
After taking office, Eden finds himself at odds with Gamal Abdel Nasser (Amir Boutrous), the president of Egypt, over who gets to govern the Suez Canal. We witness Edward in a flashback at the moment of his abdication. Inquiring about the choice, his brother George asks him if he loves Wallis Simpson more than his brother, his family, or his nation. Edward says, “Yes,” without thinking twice.
We witness George conversing with his young daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, in a separate flashback. “I want you to promise me one thing,” he responds. “That you’ll never prioritize anything or anyone over one another. You two are siblings. Above all, you must never disappoint one another. They appear to have broken that pledge, particularly regarding Margaret’s connection with Peter Townsend.
Elizabeth tries to convince Margaret not to talk about the wedding when she starts talking about it, claiming that she has a small issue that has to be fixed. Queen Mother Elizabeth, in the meantime, confided in her daughter that she believed Philip was venting his resentment on little Charles.
Alright, so he’s not a good father or husband. She believes Philip is still not adjusting to life in the palace. For some reason, Elizabeth stands up for him. Afterward, she begs him to accompany her to Australia for the Olympics, but Philip rejects her trip plan. He is aware that he is being sent away to gather his thoughts while he is gone.
