Who would have thought The Crown would end in a wedding? Like a distinguished English-style romantic comedy with Dickensian ghosts. This is the unexpected, solemn and successful cocktail of the final episode of the Netflix saga on the reign of Elizabeth II. Let's face it: this installment, entitled "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" turns out to be the most ingenious of this uneven and whimsical sixth season marked by daring staging choices, but not always in the best taste.
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Marriage proposal in the middle of breakfast
"Sleep Dearie Sleep" opens in the winter of 2004 with Charles proposing to Camilla in the middle of breakfast to the sound of the BBC news bulletin about the stalemate in the US-British intervention in Iraq. For romanticism, we'll come back. Especially since, as Charles reminds us, he needs the permission of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to marry Camilla. Rather than answer "yes," Camille laughs with a sarcastic "What a disaster" and goes back to buttering her toast. A phlegm so British!
Charles was not discouraged and passed on his request to his mother. "Camilla deserves it," the Prince of Wales said, "She has been unswervingly loyal to the Crown, has never complained about attacks from the press and makes me happy." The sovereign promised, reluctantly, to think about it. She sees no heroism in her son and Camilla for resuming their affair. However, it would also be very inconvenient if Charles acceded to the throne while living in sin with his mistress!
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To the tune of bagpipes
Obtaining the approval of Anglican Church officials is not the sovereign's only concern. As she approached her 80th birthday, her advisers urged her to organize his funeral. Stunned, Elizabeth II replied that it was up to the Duke of Edinburgh to prepare hers. But the monarch's husband didn't wait to work on the subject. "The exercise is very revealing. You're going to dive back into so many memories that you thought you'd buried," warns the duke, played by Jonathan Pryce who finally has the right to let the mischief burst into his eyes.
In an ideal world, Elizabeth Windsor would like to be buried in Scotland at the end of a 20-minute small group service. But Elizabeth II doesn't have that luxury. Still, she made her mark by choosing a melancholic bagpipe tune as her music, entitled "Sleep Dearie Sleep," which gave the song its name.
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Harry 'the Nazi'
In addition to the bishops who refused a religious ceremony, but accepted a blessing with a penitential prayer to accompany Charles and Camilla to the altar, Elizabeth II questioned her grandsons. Do William and Harry allow their father to remarry? Harry is up in arms. But his pragmatic and realistic elder agrees. A volley of reproaches ensues between the two brothers. One accuses the other of "being a good dog-dog", the other throws his immaturity back in his face. These dissensions will be brought to light in Harry's memoir, The Deputy. Clearly, screenwriter Peter Morgan didn't live in an igloo. Throughout this chapter, he multiplies prophetic words and takes care to plant the seeds of discord.
Elizabeth II consults her grandsons on their father's remarriage Netflix
They take root all the more quickly as this episode evokes the famous scandalous evening when Harry disguised himself as a Nazi officer of the Afrikakorps. Kate Middleton tries to talk him out of it, but he doesn't listen. When the photos appeared on the front pages of the tabloids, Harry lashed out at his brother: "You were in that costume store, you pushed me in!" Worried, Elizabeth II warns William to be careful. "Being number 2 is not easy, you need extra care and attention." Still able to reconcile with William, Harry points out that William II of England was killed by his brother, a man named Harry. Atmosphere. In what turns out to be the best gag of the 72 minutes, Prince Philip calls the costume shop to give them a slap in the face: Harry's uniform doesn't conform to historical reality! Damn it!
A multitude of Elizabeth II
As Philip predicted, the preparation for her funeral propels Elizabeth II into her memories. Haunted by nostalgia, she watches old family movies. And finds himself arguing with his inner self in the manner of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
This "stream of consciousness" first takes the form of Olivia Colman, who portrays Elizabeth II in seasons 3 and 4. Like the devil on his shoulder, this Elizabeth urges him to abdicate. "You're exhausted, you won't want to be at the head of a decrepit monarchy in 1 years," she whispers. The Queen is almost convinced until another specter appears, this time in the guise of Claire Foy, the young ruler in seasons 2 and <>. "The Crown is incarnate and not practiced. No one in the family is ready to take over. You'll never be able to find Elizabeth Windsor. She is the dead one. You buried her a long time ago. You're special," she says.
Ghostly apparitions have been one of this season's innovations and obsessions. Not really used wisely with Dodi and Diana. Grotesque when the Queen imagines Tony Blair supplanting her on the throne. Here, these audacities take on their full meaning. Mise en abyme of a series that is coming to an end and bringing back its stars (which was ardently hoped for by fans). It is also a portrait of a heroine who embraces her mortality and her place in history.
The final word went to Elizabeth II and Philip Justin Downing/Netflix/Justin Downing/Netflix
Reassured, Elizabeth II no longer thought of abdicating and delivered an affectionate speech at Charles and Camilla's wedding. As the procession leaves the chapel, she stays for a few moments to meditate and pray. Only Philip comes to see her and confesses to her all the admiration he has for her. He kisses her hand and walks for the exit. The sovereign is alone. As she crosses the nave, she catches a glimpse of his coffin and sees herself as a teenager. Turning her back to the camera, she walks slowly to the sound of "Sleep Dearie Sleep."
Peter Morgan kept his promise: to pay tribute to Elizabeth II, whose death, in the middle of filming, had upset him and his crew. In these final minutes, Imelda Staunton finally drops the mask, giving a glimpse of a generous and mischievous Elizabeth II. Proactive, not passive... going to Tony Blair's side on the Iraq question. It's about time! Of the three actresses who have donned the Crown, she will remain the weakest link in a prestigious cast.