The spotlight on the British royal family is expected to return with a prequel to hit series, The Crown. But this time, it will begin in 1901.
While nothing has officially been confirmed yet, Daily Mail reported Netflix has given the greenlight on expanding the royal series. Returning to guide and write the prequel is original showrunner Peter Morgan.
According to the Daily Mail’s source, casting is expected to begin next year after Peter’s already begun “putting pen to pad.”
Anticipation for The Crown prequel is already building. But unfortunately, the details are slim. Below, The Weekly reveals some major plot points that The Crown prequel will most likely delve into.
What is the plot of The Crown prequel?
The prequel is believed to take place from 1901 until 1947 when The Crown begins. Many milestones and events took place for the British royal family during these 46 years.
Changing Monarchs
In January 1901, Queen Victoria’s 63-year reign came to an end with her death, aged 81. From her passing to Queen Elizabeth’s reign in 1952, the monarchy changed hands four times.
Edward VII was officially crowned in 1092, where he remained for only nine years before his passing. The title then fell to his second-son George V.
King George V’s reign lasted from 1910 to 1935 – a difficult time no doubt given World War I. In 1917, given the sentiment towards Germany at the time, George V changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor.
After his death, George V’s son, Edward VIII, was crowned monarch for a year before a shock abdication – we delve more into this below.
In his stead for 15 years was George VI from 1936 to 1952. During which World War II took place.
Edward VIII Abdicating
Love or duty? It’s a question we’ve heard many times before. But it was King Edward VIII that was forced to choose.
He was King for just one year, when he shockingly abdicated to marry American divorce Wallis Simpson, whose ex-husbands were still living. So, his wish to marry her was deemed completely unacceptable by social and religious rules.
King Edward VIII was forced to choose between love and the crown. The pair wed in 1937, but they didn’t have any children together.
Queen Elizabeth II
On April 21, 1926, at Mayfair, London, the daughter of King George VI and the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born; who would later become Queen Elizabeth II.
If the prequel is to explore 30s and 40s, viewers will see the young-Queen Elizabeth attend her parents coronation, study for her future role as monarch, and fall in love with Prince Philip.
Elizabeth met Philip in 1934, and they were married in 1947 when she was just 21-years-old.
A Shrinking Empire
Changes of power aside, Britain faced another ‘issue’ – its power was declining. Since British colonialism began in the 15th century, it controlled almost 80 countries.
But with its monarchy in constant shift, and World War’s raging, many of these countries were determined to become independent. Many of these former British colonies, including Australia, are now part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
