Fans of the Netflix blockbuster series, The Crown, waited with bated breath for the 5th season to premiere on November 9th. Season 4 captured the imagination of the world with its riveting portrayal of royal family drama, intrigue, and disappointment shared by the then Prince and Princess of Wales (now King Charles and the late Princess Diana).
Josh O'Connor's heartfelt, stirring performance as Prince Charles earned him a Golden Globe Award as best actor, reflected in the delicacy of portraying a sitting royal family member in his younger, tumultuous relationship with the adored Lady Diana Spencer. As Dominic West takes over the role, he delivers even more powerful words that reflect the character's strengths and weaknesses.
"I Have A Beating Heart. A Character. A Mind And A Will Of My Own...
(Season 3, Episode 6)
...I Am Not Just A Symbol... Mummy, I Have A Voice."
Josh O'Connor shines in his ability to capture the desperation of Prince Charles' need to be heard by the Queen. This brilliant but tense exchange is where the late Queen Elizabeth is explaining the essential role of the monarch to Prince Charles and the importance of impartiality and not having a view.
This quote reveals the defiance and youthful spirit of a royal in training who dares to defy and stand up for himself just for second, yet be the faithful son and heir apparent.
"Whatever In Love Means..."
(Season 4, Episode 3)
The quote here is the famous actual answer of Prince Charles reenacted by Josh O'Connor on the occasion of his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer when asked by the Press if he was in love.
These words are quite chilling in this scene as viewers look back and realize that at that moment in time Prince Charles was still in love with Camilla and is actually answering honestly in his royal, "diplomatic" way. This highly captured moment in history is pivotal to the beginning of the end of a magical fairytale.
"I Sometimes Think You See Me As An Old Man...
(Season 4, Episode 6)
...A Gargoyle Above The Church Door. Gray, Made Of Stone, Unemotional, But I'm Not."
This quote is a pivotal one in The Crown as it unfolds when Princess Diana confronts Prince Charles about his relationship with Camilla and the infamous bracelet he gave her three days before their wedding.
Their relationship is still on speaking terms with mutual sympathy yet strain as seen in this rare admission by Prince Charles of his need for acknowledgment as a royal. He sees that Diana is suffering, yet does not have the courage to admit the nature of his relationship with Camilla. Charles' words indicate insecurity as he feels the weight of his age and role in front of Diana.
"No, Thanks To You People Are Laughing In My Face...
(Season 4, Episode 6).
...Booing The Heir To The Throne, Booing The Crown."
In Episode 6 of the 4th season, the depth of Prince Charles's jealousy and unhappiness with Diana's growing fame is revealed. The scene is set in 1983 with Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 30-day sweeping visiting to Australia.
With the popularity of the monarchy hanging precariously preceding this visit, the scene unravels as Diana's natural charisma and instant likability with the Australian commoners outshine Prince Charles. Displeased to be ranking second in the public's attention, these words are taken from a fictionalized argument at the end of an evening of the tour where it becomes all too clear that Diana's natural allure is a gift yet also a curse for her relationship with Prince Charles.
"I Have Done My Best, My Very Best. And I Am Suffering".
(Season 4, Episode 10)
This quote is from an intense exchange between Prince Charles and his mother Queen Elizabeth where he openly asks for her permission to separate and divorce from Diana. Tensions run high in this episode with Prince Charles consumed with regret, sadness and inner turmoil in front of his mother and monarch of the country, a person he does have the luxury to disobey or question their judgment.
Though the sympathy of fans of The Crown often goes to Princess Diana, this scene is equally convincing of the helpless position of Prince Charles being trapped into a loveless marriage complicated by his overwhelming feelings of love for Camilla.
"I Won't Say A Thing."
(Season 4, Episode 1)
The chemistry between Princess Diana and Prince Charles is hanging in the air during this famous scene where he meets her by chance when he comes to the Spencer home to actually call on her older sister, Lady Sarah Spencer who he dated briefly in the last 1970s.
A young Diana makes him promise to not say anything about seeing her, and he seems momentarily mesmerized with her beauty, innocence, and mystique. This scene captures his momentary lust and attraction for a woman that will capture the heart of the whole world.
"No, You've Rather Intrigued Me Now."
(Season 4, Episode 1)
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The scene and dialogue is breathtakingly simple, yet a vital interchange between Lady Sarah and Prince Charles which changes his life and that of Lady Diana Spencer forever.
His curiosity, attraction, and coy understated interest in Lady Sarah's younger sister is palpable but subdued all in one and is a quote where the princely aspect of his character is revealed as well. It shows his eyes are set upon Diana, and that he is moving forward on his royal approved match giving his words significance in this scene.
“You Can Hardly Blame The Newspapers...
(Season 4, Episode 8).
...For Wanting To Write About Something Other Than The Wedding Of A Fringe Member Of The Family Who Will Never Be King."
This episode in Season 4, opens with Prince Andrew's chagrin that his marriage is receiving less attention that some key world developments with Queen Elizabeth.
Prince Charles is unusually candid here and direct with his siblings, establishing his position as heir to the throne and nipping in the bud any sympathy towards their irritation. This quote exhibits a rare wave ,of defiance and confidence in his unique position as the Queen's eldest son.
"Every Awkward Silence And Stilted Conversation Between Bride And Gloom...
(Season 5, Episode 1)
...Glaringly Obvious To Each One Of The Two Hundred Crew."
In an attempt to rekindle his strained marriage, Prince Charles is advised to label his trip to Italy with his family as a second honeymoon. Prince Charles speaks here with a good friend about the lack of privacy on the Queen's yacht and reflects on his first honeymoon in this episode of The Crown.
His slip of tongue describing himself and Diana as "bride and gloom" is revealing and poignant. He is genuinely gloomy about his marriage, a fact he cannot reveal to the public or the Queen as the popularity of the monarchy is waning all but for Diana.
"When We're Together In Public, I Can't Deny It's Magical, The Perfect Team... It's In Private..."
(Season 5, Episode 1
The honesty of this statement endears him for a moment to fans of The Crown, as Prince Charles is trapped in a loveless marriage which feels euphoric when playing the part, yet not true to his personal experience.
In this statement, he admits the magical quality that Diana brings in their public appearances, yet also the emptiness of their actual connection, making this quote reflective of the irony and tragedy of their relationship.
Source:gamerant.com