The Crown season 6 saw the passing of four essential characters, two of whom had been part of the show since the beginning and two who’d been introduced more recently. The series explored the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the start of her reign in 1952 to the contemporary era, ending in 2005. Beginning with the premature death of King George VI, the five-decade span of The Crown has seen the passing of many historical figures who orbited Elizabeth’s life. The show’s final season was filled with losses, including the sudden and tragic death of Princess Diana, which was the centerpiece of season 6, part 1.
Given the real-life passing of Elizabeth II in 2022, many might have suspected her death would’ve been the show’s closing moment. Showrunner Peter Morgan decided it would be best to end the series close to 20 years before the present, stating, “It was the cutoff to keep it historical, not journalistic” (via Variety). Morgan likely had the right instinct as the show became more controversial the closer it got to contemporary events. The loss of Diana Spencer was challenging material to approach, and it wasn’t the only loss of The Crown season 6, a final season filled with loss but also new life and romance.
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4 Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a tragic car accident.
As The Crown progressed through decades of history, the spotlight naturally shifted away from the aging monarch and toward the extravagant, young Princess Diana. Diana captured people’s hearts worldwide through her almost-fairytale marriage to Charles, the once Prince of Wales and now King of the United Kingdom. Of course, after their marriage fell apart, Diana became a source of controversy as the world speculated on her actions away from the royal family. The obsession over her personal life tragically led to her death in Paris on August 31, 1997, as an attempted escape from the paparazzi led to a lethal car crash.
The Crown season 6 part 1 received widely mixed reviews, though its off-screen portrayal of the incident was considered tasteful. While the crash itself was correctly handled, the events surrounding Diana’s death ranged in accuracy. Many of Diana’s final conversations, specifically the last hotel conversation with Dodi Al-Fayed, were entirely speculative. The Crown has always exceeded in its interpretive dramatization of the behind-the-scenes feelings of the royal family. Their final conversation utilized real-life rumors, including Dodi’s proposal, for narrative development to show Diana and Dodi discovering inner peace before their deaths.
While many events were fabricated for the show’s narrative development, The Crown emphasized a vital aspect of Diana’s death in its effect on the world. Season 6, episode 4 is devoted to the reactions of the royal family and the general public who joined to mourn her loss. The reactions of Diana’s children, William and Harry, were also dramatized, as there’s no record of William going missing following his mother’s passing. Diana’s tragic death was the most emotional narrative The Crown covered in six seasons, and its most crucial aspects were displayed with accuracy and respect.
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3 Dodi Al-Fayed
Dodi Al-Fayed died in a tragic car accident alongside Princess Diana.
Dodi Al-Fayed tragically lost his life in the same car crash as Princess Diana. Introduced in The Crown season 5, Dodi Al-Fayed played a significant role in season 6, part 1. His father, Mohamed Al-Fayed, was a friend of Diana’s who introduced the two to each other. One of The Crown season 6’s biggest changes to the true story was its interpretation of Mohamed Al-Fayed, as the series suggested that he’d been playing matchmaker, pressuring his son to romantically pursue Diana despite already being engaged. The series also wrongfully insinuates that Mohamed Al-Fayed was responsible for hiring Mario Brenna to photograph Diana and Dodi.
These events are significant in the portrayal of Dodi Al-Fayed’s death, as they fabricate a non-existent drama between him and his father. The purpose of the drama is to narratively synchronize him and Diana building toward their shocking death, but there’s no evidence to support any of it. While Dodi was seen purchasing a ring shortly before his death, there’s nothing but rumors to back the idea of his proposal. Mohamed Al-Fayed made several claims following their deaths, including that they had called him to celebrate their engagement. He had a strained relationship with the royal family until he died in 2023.
2 Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret died due to health issues she’d been suffering from for years.
Primarily in the earlier seasons, Princess Margaret is a central character in The Crown as the younger sister of Elizabeth II. Her heartbreaking romance with Peter Townsend was one of the series’ most captivating narratives, as her free spirit and informal attitude made her relatable and likable. In season 6, part 2, the Netflix series depicts Margaret suffering from various health issues for years leading to her passing, including a gruesome scene of her having a stroke. While not getting much attention throughout the final season, Margaret’s declining health was a central focus of the episode “Ritz.”
The depiction of Margaret’s death in The Crown is fairly accurate. In reality, Margaret suffered from strokes and cardiac problems for the final years of her life, often requiring support when walking or the use of a wheelchair. Less than a year before her passing, strokes had damaged her vision and resulted in paralysis on her left side. She was a regular smoker and heavy drinker, habits that contributed to her declining physical shape. She cut public appearances for most of her final year, aside from events in August and December of 2001. Princess Margaret eventually died on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71.
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1 Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother died in bed with Elizabeth II at her side.
Not to be confused with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was Elizabeth II’s mother and the widow of the late King George VI. She passed away on March 30, 2002, at the age of 101. A minor supporting character in The Crown, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, is consistent throughout each season, played by Victoria Hamilton, Marion Bailey, and finally Marcia Warren in seasons 5 and 6. The Queen Mother’s passing was portrayed accurately. She died in bed, with Elizabeth II by her side, just a month after Margaret, as shown at the beginning of the episode “Hope Street.”
Sources: Variety
