SO FAREWELL, THE CROWN
As soon as the sixth and final series of The Crown was announced, there was much speculating about which events would make it to the screen. With a history of “creative” writing and taking gentle liberties with the truth, folk held their breath to see whether Prince Andrew, Meghan Markle or any other recent controversies would find their way into the final episodes.
What transpired was a powerful tribute to the Queen, left free from scandals. The show paid enormous respect to her tenure as monarch. Even when the writing has questioned whether the institution correctly handled this or that, it has always expressed that the Queen herself was a singular example of royalty, the likes of which there has never been before and may never be again. In show creator Peter Morgan’s own words, the Queen was “both a very ordinary person and a completely unique and remarkable person”.
Over the course of seven years, five actresses played the Queen, wearing more than 500 outfits and 20 wigs. Some 719 filming locations have been used and 2,000 sets. More than 45,000 extras had roles and it is said to have been the most expensive TV series ever made. The Crown garnered awards aplenty while providing powerful TV – giving insight into our recent history. The heart-breaking episode on the Aberfan disaster in particular was a tricky one to write, but was handled with a sensitivity that is rare.
Now, set pieces, costumes and props from The Crown will be auctioned at Bonhams on 7 February. Money raised will go to a scholarship fund for future film and TV makers. Find out more at bonhams.com.