Netflix series 'The Crown' reenacts Princess Diana’s last moments in the final season
- Replies 9
The final season of Netflix's critically-acclaimed series The Crown has once again stirred the pot, this time by recreating the chilling final moments of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed.
The series, known for its unflinching portrayal of the British royal family, has taken on the daunting task of depicting the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of the 'People's Princess' and her companion.
The sixth season's third episode, which premiered recently, left viewers on the edge of their seats.
The episode painstakingly recreated the couple's last drive, from their departure from the Ritz Hotel in Paris to the fatal crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.
The series was careful not to show the actual crash, but the audio of the impact was played, adding a haunting realism to the scene.
The decision to include such a sensitive event has been met with mixed reactions.
While some viewers appreciate the series' commitment to historical accuracy, others argue that the depiction is too graphic and could cause distress to the royal family and those close to Princess Diana.
‘Watching it today, it is the little things they get wrong that are so annoying when you remember it so well,’ one viewer expressed.
Paul Burrell, the princess’ former butler, said, ‘It still feels macabre to show the vehicle she died in, it’s just gone too far. I find the whole scene of Diana’s death depicted in a fictional TV program grotesque.’
Warning: The next paragraphs contain spoilers of the episode.
The episode begins with Diana (played by Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi (played by Khalid Abdalla) leaving the Ritz Hotel, intending to return to Dodi's apartment. They were assured by Henri Paul, the Deputy Head of Security at the Ritz, that they could leave unnoticed.
However, as they step into the Mercedes-Benz W140, they are surrounded by paparazzi, a constant presence in Diana's life.
The car sped through the streets of Paris, with Diana and Dodi holding hands in the back seat. The scene is eerily quiet, the only sound being the ominous music playing in the background. The car enters the Pont de l'Alma tunnel at high speed, and the episode ends with the chilling audio of the crash.
The aftermath of the crash is depicted in the fourth episode, where the royal family is informed of Diana's death.
The Queen (played by Imelda Staunton), Prince Philip (played by Jonathan Pryce), and Prince Charles (played by Dominic West) were shown receiving the news while watching the crash coverage on television. The scene is poignant, with Prince Charles breaking down in tears and the Queen struggling to hold back her own.
The series also explored Diana's final day in Paris, showing her frustration at being unable to reach her sons, Princes William and Harry, at Balmoral. The depiction of Diana's anguish and anxiety added another layer of depth to the tragedy, highlighting the personal toll of her public life.
The Crown's portrayal of Diana's final moments is a stark reminder of the tragic end of a beloved figure. The series has always been known for its brazen depiction of the royal family’s affairs, and this latest season is no exception.
The Crown was created by Peter Morgan following the success of his 2006 film, The Queen, which depicted the Royal Family's response to Princess Diana's death.
The Netflix series has won 21 Emmys and received many BAFTA nominations.
However, it covers the same topic as the Oscar-winning movie, but with the addition of fresh information that has been discovered in the 17 years since the movie was released.
The scripts reportedly had to be updated constantly throughout the filming due to the Royal Family's frequent appearances in headlines, including the Queen's passing and Prince Harry's memoir, Spare.
Despite the accolades, it has also faced criticism for its historical inaccuracies. Recently, UK’s The Sun reported how the show still refuses to include a disclaimer on the accuracy of events in the show, such as the reaction of a young Prince William to his mum’s untimely demise.
‘While trailers for the show make it clear that The Crown is fictional, there is no disclaimer played at the beginning of each season to warn viewers that the plot is partly imaginary,’ they said.
For their part, the show’s researchers revealed they’ve invested considerable time and effort in covering source material for the show, including establishing a library of around 1,000 books and hiring consultants with intimate knowledge of the lives of the royals.
You can watch the show’s recent trailer here:
What are your thoughts on The Crown's depiction of Diana's final moments? Do you think the series went too far, or was it an accurate portrayal of a tragic event? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The series, known for its unflinching portrayal of the British royal family, has taken on the daunting task of depicting the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of the 'People's Princess' and her companion.
The sixth season's third episode, which premiered recently, left viewers on the edge of their seats.
The episode painstakingly recreated the couple's last drive, from their departure from the Ritz Hotel in Paris to the fatal crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.
The series was careful not to show the actual crash, but the audio of the impact was played, adding a haunting realism to the scene.
The third episode of the Netflix show The Crown recreated the fatal car crash that took the lives of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. Credit: @thecrownnetflix/Instagram
The decision to include such a sensitive event has been met with mixed reactions.
While some viewers appreciate the series' commitment to historical accuracy, others argue that the depiction is too graphic and could cause distress to the royal family and those close to Princess Diana.
‘Watching it today, it is the little things they get wrong that are so annoying when you remember it so well,’ one viewer expressed.
Paul Burrell, the princess’ former butler, said, ‘It still feels macabre to show the vehicle she died in, it’s just gone too far. I find the whole scene of Diana’s death depicted in a fictional TV program grotesque.’
Warning: The next paragraphs contain spoilers of the episode.
The episode begins with Diana (played by Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi (played by Khalid Abdalla) leaving the Ritz Hotel, intending to return to Dodi's apartment. They were assured by Henri Paul, the Deputy Head of Security at the Ritz, that they could leave unnoticed.
However, as they step into the Mercedes-Benz W140, they are surrounded by paparazzi, a constant presence in Diana's life.
The car sped through the streets of Paris, with Diana and Dodi holding hands in the back seat. The scene is eerily quiet, the only sound being the ominous music playing in the background. The car enters the Pont de l'Alma tunnel at high speed, and the episode ends with the chilling audio of the crash.
The aftermath of the crash is depicted in the fourth episode, where the royal family is informed of Diana's death.
The Queen (played by Imelda Staunton), Prince Philip (played by Jonathan Pryce), and Prince Charles (played by Dominic West) were shown receiving the news while watching the crash coverage on television. The scene is poignant, with Prince Charles breaking down in tears and the Queen struggling to hold back her own.
The series also explored Diana's final day in Paris, showing her frustration at being unable to reach her sons, Princes William and Harry, at Balmoral. The depiction of Diana's anguish and anxiety added another layer of depth to the tragedy, highlighting the personal toll of her public life.
The Crown's portrayal of Diana's final moments is a stark reminder of the tragic end of a beloved figure. The series has always been known for its brazen depiction of the royal family’s affairs, and this latest season is no exception.
The Crown was created by Peter Morgan following the success of his 2006 film, The Queen, which depicted the Royal Family's response to Princess Diana's death.
The Netflix series has won 21 Emmys and received many BAFTA nominations.
However, it covers the same topic as the Oscar-winning movie, but with the addition of fresh information that has been discovered in the 17 years since the movie was released.
The scripts reportedly had to be updated constantly throughout the filming due to the Royal Family's frequent appearances in headlines, including the Queen's passing and Prince Harry's memoir, Spare.
Despite the accolades, it has also faced criticism for its historical inaccuracies. Recently, UK’s The Sun reported how the show still refuses to include a disclaimer on the accuracy of events in the show, such as the reaction of a young Prince William to his mum’s untimely demise.
‘While trailers for the show make it clear that The Crown is fictional, there is no disclaimer played at the beginning of each season to warn viewers that the plot is partly imaginary,’ they said.
For their part, the show’s researchers revealed they’ve invested considerable time and effort in covering source material for the show, including establishing a library of around 1,000 books and hiring consultants with intimate knowledge of the lives of the royals.
You can watch the show’s recent trailer here:
What are your thoughts on The Crown's depiction of Diana's final moments? Do you think the series went too far, or was it an accurate portrayal of a tragic event? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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