In The Crown season 6 part 2, Queen Elizabeth thinks about modernizing the monarchy and her future while the family is still recovering from Diana’s death. The second part is now streaming on Netflix.
Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers
Plot summary
The royal family is grieving the death of Diana. Since Diana’s death, Prince William, who has inherited his mother’s beauty, has gained a lot of popularity, especially among young girls.
However, William is unlike what his mother used to be. He hates the press, people, and noise and rather wants everything to go back to the way it was. People are too kind to him and his family since his mother’s passing, and he finds it weird.
William is reclusive when it comes to opening up about his mother’s death. All of this worries Charles, who thinks William’s attitude is not ideal for a future heir to the throne.
Charles eventually talks it out with his son. William blames Charles for letting Diana go into Dodi’s arms, which led to her death.
It’s only when Philip talks to William and explains to him that he is probably angry with Diana for leaving a legacy for him and how much Charles is grieving that William understands.
William is told that even Charles and the royal family have blamed themselves for Diana’s death, as they are grieving. William then reconciles with his father.
The growing popularity of Prime Minister Tony Blair concerns Queen Elizabeth. The Queen fears that Blair will one day take over and become King Blair. Instead of fighting Blair, she invites him over and asks for help.
The royal family has lost touch with the people of the country. The Queen believes Blair will help them connect with the people again.
Blair gets to modernize the monarchy by cutting costs and suggesting getting rid of some traditions that are more of an indefensible extravagance or luxury.
Queen Elizabeth considers Blair’s suggestions and, after examining everything, concludes that the crown houses an extraordinary array of precious expertise and skills that have been passed down through generations; all of this needs to be preserved.
Meanwhile, at the university, William finds love in the form of Catherine Middleton, also known as Kate. Unfortunately, he leaves a really bad first impression, and he almost loses her.
Later, Kate hears from her mother, who has been desperately trying to bring Kate and William together, that William needs a nice, normal girl like her and that he is miserable and could be leaving the university. Once Kate is single again, William and Kate click.
Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, one by one loses those who are close to her, including Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother.
Problems for the royal family pile up as Mohamed Al-Fayed accuses them of conspiring against Diana and Dodi Fayed.
Ending explained:
The investigation into Diana’s death
A new inquiry into the deaths of Diana and Dodi Fayed is conducted after a high-profile campaign by Mohamed Al-Fayed. The members of the royal family are consulted and are allowed to ask questions as well.
After interviewing over 300 witnesses and investigating multiple locations where Diana and Dodi had been before their deaths, the police debunk all the accusations and claims that Mohamed Al-Fayed had made.
After the closure of the investigation, Al-Fayed criticizes the royal family and the people of Britain. He announces that he is leaving the country to live somewhere where he will be seen as a citizen, not a subject.
William realizes his responsibilities
Queen Elizabeth plans to have the popular William by her side for her golden jubilee. She fears that she will see no crowd on that very day or a crowd that is booing her, which is worse.
Queen hears how difficult the press has made William’s life and instead permits him to miss events such as these.
Queen attends her golden jubilee, and even without William, she sees a loving crowd that has come to see her.
Meanwhile, William spends the day with Kate’s family, watching his family live on TV. Words, such as a life lived in service is not a sacrifice, but honor, from the Queen’s speech touch William, who feels the need to be with his family.
Hence, he shows up when the Queen appears on the balcony. The crowd gets louder than before on William’s arrival as they see the royal family together.
The future
With the Queen being 80 years old, Philip suggests that she start working on how her funeral should be. During this time, the Queen is also thinking about stepping down and handing the reins to Charles, who is looking to marry Camilla Parker Bowles.
Charles is given the permission to marry Camilla, once he convinces his mother how much he needs Camilla by his side.
The Queen will not be attending the ceremony but will be joining everyone for the service at St. George’s Chapel and then the reception at Windsor Castle.
The Queen claims that she will give a speech at the reception, where several high-profile individuals will be present.
On the day of marriage, after finishing her speech, the Queen’s past reminds her of the oath that she has taken to be devoted to the crown for her entire life, whether it be long or short.
She realizes that only she thrives in this system, and the system thrives under her. Serving the crown comes naturally to her, while others make a mess of it. Hence, with a heavy heart, the Queen decides to continue her reign.
The Queen skips the part in her speech where she is supposed to announce that she is stepping down.
Philip is happy with the Queen’s decision because those who have come after her are not remotely ready for the throne.
The Queen leaves a cathedral, envisioning what her funeral will look like, while her past selves watch her walk away.
Also Read: The Crown season 6 part 1 summary and ending explained