Netflix's highly praised series "The Crown" reaches its conclusion with the release of the sixth and final season, delving into the poignant events surrounding the untimely death of Princess Diana.
The season, created by Peter Morgan, unfolds in two parts, with the first four episodes available for streaming as of Thursday, while the concluding six episodes are scheduled for release on December 14.
This marks the culmination of 60 hours of narrative that began in 2016, chronicling Queen Elizabeth II’s reign from her 1947 marriage to Prince Philip to the early 2000s introduction of Kate Middleton, the current Princess of Wales.
Tragic conclusion
The sixth season focuses on the final weeks of Princess Diana's life, portraying the aftermath of her tumultuous divorce from the now King Charles III.
The narrative leads up to the tragic incident on August 31, 1997, when the BMW carrying Diana and her lover Dodi Al-Fayed crashed at high speed into a pillar in Paris’s Alma tunnel, resulting in the deaths of both, as well as the driver, Henri Paul.
The people's princess
The portrayal of Diana's demise raises questions about how the series will be received, given the sensitivity of the subject matter and the fact that individuals close to Diana, including her now-adult sons William and Harry, are still very much present.
Royal historian Ed Owens notes, "It’s the seminal moment that the series has been building up to since series one."
Notably, the final season recreates Queen Elizabeth’s rare live televised address from Buckingham Palace on September 5, 1997, paying tribute to Diana and addressing the widespread public grief.
Imelda Staunton, who portrays the monarch in the last two seasons, expressed feeling "a massive responsibility" with this scene, acknowledging the significance of the real speech and the need for accuracy in handling such a sensitive subject.
Elizabeth Debicki on portraying Diana
Actress Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Princess Diana in the final season, revealed the emotional toll of filming, saying, "Some days, coming to work was incredibly painful and sad."
She emphasised the responsibility felt by the cast to tell the story as honestly as possible, given the weight of the subject matter.
Controversy and criticism: "The Crown" faces scrutiny
"The Crown" has not been without its share of controversies and criticisms. The series, particularly appealing to Netflix's younger audience, has faced accusations of suggesting infidelities within the royal family and portraying the current king as an unfaithful husband. Last year, Netflix added a disclaimer clarifying that the show is a work of fiction.
Annie Sulzberger, who led the documentary research for the series, acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding Diana in an interview with The New York Times, stating, "People who lived through Diana’s death feel a sense of ownership over that history, a sense of participation, which can color their perception of it."
