The Crown

["My Favourite Game" by The Cardigans playing]

Thank you.

Would you like some of this muesli?

It's delicious.

Oh, I like this one.

Are you sure you're ready for this?

I spoke to your housemaster yesterday

and suggested you might attend as a day pupil for a little while.

Why?

Well, just until things get a little easier.

You could stay with me at Highgrove.

I'm fine.

Or with Granny at Windsor.

Well, obviously, it's your choice. I just... I just want you to move at your own speed.

This is my speed.

I want things to go back to normal as quickly as possible.

Sir.

How are you, William?

- Good to see you. - Thank you.

- We're glad to have you back with us. - Thank you, sir.

Hello?

- How did it go? -

You are kind.

It was all a little uncomfortable, if I'm honest.

As if he's cross with me in some way.

Well...

- Give it time. - That's what I said, give it time.

Everyone would understand, but...

he couldn't get back to school and away from me quickly enough.

You said he likes his housemaster.

Yes, Dr. Gailey.

That's encouraging.

I'm sure these days they've got better at handling a situation like this.

Oh, let's hope so. I'd hate it for him to be at Gordonstoun in my day.

Their idea of grief counseling

would've been a cold shower and a long march, cross-country.

What's wrong with that?

Better than having some awful fuss made and being mollycoddled.

Yes. Well, we're different in that way.

Mmm.

Does he have friends at school?

Of course. What a question.

Why? You didn't.

True.

Well, it's better he's with his gang.

They'll look after him.

Hmm.

Sometimes, as parents,

we have to admit defeat.

Mmm.

- All right. I'll talk to you soon. - Right.

There are two deliveries. This one's from the school.

More than 600 boys felt moved to offer their condolences.

That's so kind.

And this one contains letters from all around the world.

Mostly, I think, from young ladies.

If there's anything you need, you know where I am.

Dear William, we don't know one another.

I'm two years above you and in a different house,

but I wanted to write to offer my condolences.

I can only imagine what you must be going through.

Please rest assured, all of us in B block have your back.

Andrew Hartley Potts.

Dear Wills,

we're all so sorry for your loss.

Just know that all the boys in ALHG are here for you

if you ever need anything,

including first dibs on the PlayStation and unlimited cups of tea.

Dear William, all of us on the water polo team are thinking of you

and are looking forward to having you back when you feel ready.

Preferably sooner rather than later,

as Kindersley is not a patch on you as keeper.

Dear William, I feel so sad for your loss.

My mother has always loved the royal family,

especially Princess Diana.

She said she was an angel, and I know you're an angel too.

I have enclosed my picture. My friends tell me I am very pretty...

Dear William, you look so cute in a suit and tie.

I am sure you will look really sexy when you have a crown on your head.

I bet you have a great body as you play so many sports.

I've sent you my favorite teddy.

Like me, she's soft and cuddly.

Please hold her tight when you lie in bed each night

and think of me. I hope she will comfort you in your grief...

Dear William, you are so brave for walking behind your mother's coffin.

I can't stop thinking about it.

I lost my mom last year to cancer,

and I think about her every minute of the day.

I know how you feel inside.

You are not alone.

These people are waiting to see

the people's princess pass by on her last journey.

And the royal family are at the gates of Buckingham Palace,

waiting to do exactly the same thing.

- Good shot, mate. - Good shot.

- Great shot. - Go on, mate!

Wales... Dr. Gailey wants to see you in his study.

Okay. Take that.

For a while, I suspect it's going to feel

as though the only question anyone asks is how you're feeling.

But, as your housemaster, it, uh...

it is actually my job.

I'm fine.

- Are you sure? - Yes, sir.

I only ask because the school has received a request

for your attendance at an official event.

As you know, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh

are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this year.

As you can imagine, there are any number of commemorative events.

I insisted you be given the right to refuse.

And I was reassured

everyone would understand perfectly if you did.

No, it's fine. I'll do it.

Really?

Well, the good news is... you'll only be required for half a day,

starting with

an official photograph at Buckingham Palace,

followed by a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey,

and then a lunch at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

Listen, I've been speaking with your tutor.

He tells me you've been pushing yourself hard.

Long hours in the library.

Extra society meetings.

I know distraction helps.

A few years ago, my wife received some bad news.

A, um...

a diagnosis of leukemia.

Mrs. Gailey is better now.

But at the time,

neither of us really allowed ourselves to take a step back,

to take a moment to...

to slow down...

and process what was really going on.

Was there anything else you wanted to see me about, sir?

No.

Three, two, one.

Thank you.

Three, two, one.

Sir, thank you. Three, two, one.

William, keep smiling, darling.

Three, two, one.

- Well, this is a riot. - Yeah.

Here.

- No, thanks. - I filled it with champagne.

Come on, you know you want to.

I haven’t gotten through the day without a mint since 1978. Imagine!

Ah...

There is nothing that a peppermint fondant cream...

How's school?

Shit.

Same.

- Everyone's being so... - Weird.

Actually, I was gonna say "kind."

That's what's weird.

How kind everyone's being.

I can't wait for everyone to just go back to being normal.

Uh-oh. Pa alert. Two o'clock.

Right. Shall we?

There's a couple of names and faces

you need to pretend to remember when they come over to you.

Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg,

late seventies, white mustache.

Albert II, King of the Belgians,

large glasses, looks like a bank manager.

His wife, Queen Paola, she's blond, Italian,

and, I'm willing to bet, comes wearing an enormous, overly colorful hat.

And King Harald of, uh, Norway.

He's, uh, bald, and his head is shaped like an egg.

Royal Troop!

Present arms!

- -

Sir.