Even as Americans, we have a habit of following the lives of the royal family. The royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 was viewed on TVs in over twenty million American homes. However, the story of the most important member of the royal family is not as well known. “The Crown,” a Netflix original series tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II.
Beginning with the royal wedding between Princess Elizabeth, played by Claire Foy, and Prince Philip, portrayed by Doctor Who star, Matt Smith,  “The Crown” gives perspective on the inside of Buckingham Palace during the late 1940s and early 1950s. As Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, portrayed by Jared Harris, grows sicker, we see her struggle with heartbreak and preparation for her coronation. Soon after, she is a twenty-five year old queen and mother of two.
Though the show entertains through the romantics between the Queen and her light-hearted husband, as well as her sister, Princess Margaret, and her scandalous relationship with a captain of the Royal Air Force, it also focuses on the political endeavours of the Queen with a male-dominated Parliament. The show displays the inside meetings between Elizabeth and important politicians of the time, such as re-elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill, played by John Lithgow.
Of course any conversation we see between these political figures that were not witnessed by the public eye is fictional, but the writer, Peter Morgan, has kept the script as historically accurate as possible. The main events, including King Edward VIII’s abdication of the throne, King George VI’s death, Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, and several others are all strictly to truth. The royal family has no involvement with the series and have yet to comment on it, but if they speak out, audiences may receive confirmation on the accuracy of the behind-closed-doors scenes.
With all the drama concerning this year’s presidential election, going back in time to reminisce on what has so far been a successful sixty-four year reign may be just what America needs right now.