★★★★☆

Photo Credit: © Netflix/Left Bank Pictures/Sony Pictures Television

Pictured: Matt Smith as Prince Phillip and Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II





Warning: May contain spoilers/views on the current second season - despite based on true events

Episode Highlights





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The Emmy/Golden Globe/BAFTA award-winning £100m budgeted Netflix original series created and written by Peter Morgan is back for its second season. And its more scandalous than its first! Starring Claire Foy as Britain's current monarch Queen Elizabeth II and Matt Smith as Prince Philip, the saga continues into Elizabeth's early reign, first decade, of the British Monarchy.This season focuses more on the demands and challenges the Monarchy faces on a regular basis from 1956 onwards. With events relating to marriage woes, endless scandals and relentless political catastrophes.the opening episode highlighting the marital conflicts between the royal couple, an intriguing part to endure. The humiliation for Elizabeth and the constant complaining from Philip brings tensions to their already publicised life. Then the focus shifts to political events concerning Egypt and seized control of the Suez Canal which was one of the biggest international crises since the 2nd World War. A dominant narrative throughout the first couple of episodes, where we found out more about Britain's involvement during Anthony Eden's premiership (played by Jeremy Northam), resulting in discouraged military intervention. Along with Elizabeth's stance supporting the government regardless of one's or her opinion, understanding how tough the rules for the Monarchy are.focuses on Prince Philip's solo Pacific tour without Queen Elizabeth II accompanying him for five long months. The emphasis of this episode was Mike Parker (played by Daniel Engs), Philip's private secretary who caused scrutiny for the royal couple with his extra-marital behaviour. Evidently causing a stir within the press when his ex-wife Eileen (played by filed for divorce. Another example of how close the monarchy can be hurt with affiliations of staff, a shocking ordeal that questioned even Prince Philip's supposed behaviour. Amounting to nothing but a good old rumour.with the aggregated pressure upon Prince Philip during his international tour of the Pacific to dismiss Parker his right-hand man. The Parkers impending divorce escalates leaving a strain on the Crown and the entire monarchy. Eden returning from ill health in Jamaica to a divided cabinet on Britain's future after the Suez Canal criss, nothing like a bit of dirty politics to spice things up! The foreign press played a huge part in rapidly spreading alleged infidelity rumours about Philip like wildfire, which of course the British press caught wind of. Evidently, demanding his respect needed in the Monarchy, he becomes to what his title is today, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.this episode has a primary focus on Princess Margaret and her frustrations of wanting to get married to the 'right' person. When she attends a party for her lady-in waiting, that is slightly out of her social class, you can tell by how out of place she felt. Putting her at ease, a charming photographer named Anthony Armstrong-Jones also known as Tony (played by Matthew Goode) who of course brings out more of Margaret's rebellious side. Causing quite the stir within the press with a photo perceived as her to 'naked' when she actually isn't.one of the thought-provoking episodes of the season outlining the changes we see today within the British Monarchy. All thanks to Lord Altrincham (played by John Heffernan). However with a rocky start being publicly outspoken of the Queen within the British Press and going on national television to further amplify tensions, allegedly Elizabeth confronts him at the palace. Undoubtedly changing the perception of the monarchy for the better, when televising the Christmas speech and allowing the ordinary person for palace visits.a haunting episode regarding The Marburg Files which were sealed during King George VI's reign to avoid a crisis for the monarchy. These covered detailed information about the Duke of Windsor, Edward (played by Alex Jennings) relationship with Nazi high command and his visit to meet Hitler supposedly for "peace talks". Having read the Marburg Files, Elizabeth has no choice but banish him from the country as historians from both the US and Great Britain were ready to publish them. Leaving the monarchy in a potential fragile state.reveals the on going relationship between Margaret and Tony the photographer, with sordid and explicit details of Tony's past and present. Of course the Queen is aware of this after throwing an extravagant party for Margaret and her friends to celebrate this. Holding off any announcement to focus on the birth of her third child Andrew. Again, two worlds collide for the Queen, family and royal duties something that seems to be tougher than it looks.an episode dedicated to the 35th President of the United States John F. Kennedy (played by Michael C. Hall) and his wife Former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy (played by Jodi Balfour) a global icon. Who caused mass hysteria at the palace when they arrived, almost making the Queen a tad bit jealous. Leading to an awkward dinner party after the Kennedys state visit where the First Lady made harsh comments about the monarchy being outdated with the world, apologies were given of course. Inspiring the Queen to deal with the current climate in Ghana swiftly and royally.delves into Philip's educational life and how this foreshadows Charles' future education both attending Gordonstoun. Adamant for him to attend Gordonstoun where as Elizabeth is keen for him to attend Eton, he remained there for a further five years. Perhaps an uncomfortable watch to see Charles endure the same heat Philip did back when he was at school. Given how uncommonly shy Charles was and the bullying that practically went on. The classic father-son relationship of 'toughening' him up for the real world.the final episode, set in April 1962 and one year after this. Queen Elizabeth becomes pregnant with her fourth child, Edward. Margaret is also pregnant with her second child, redecorating her apartment, recognising her stance in the Monarchy's modernisation into the 60s. The ever-lasting political scandals Great Britain faced continued to strife with the Profumo affair, involving John Profumo a leading cabinet member in Harold Macmillan's Conservative government. Where he had a brief intimate relationship with the then model and socialite Christine Keeler. Inevitably, leading to the suspicion of Philip's connections through Stephen Ward an Osteopath who had a friendship with Keeler. Of course that dreaded lunch club comes back to haunt Elizabeth, a frustrating way learning of these sore and potentially harmful connections.A slanderous season discovering the depths the British Monarchy take and face concerning numerous scandals that can hurt the image.