Plot
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh begin planning their respective funerals, with the Queen being presented with a model of her state funeral procession. [1] While Philip is "stimulated" by planning for his own funeral, Elizabeth is more skeptical and emotional about the prospect. During a planning meeting, the Queen later says that her preference for a funeral would be a "quiet service in Scotland". However, her advisors note that people will want to celebrate her reign, as the longest-serving monarch in British history.
The Prince of Wales then tells the Queen that he wants to marry Camilla Parker Bowles. The conversation ends with her saying that she consulted the bishops of the Church of England beforehand and that the Archbishop of Canterbury said that the marriage can take place if it is in a civil ceremony and a prayer of repentance takes place in the following service in St. George's Chapel. She then asks Prince William and Prince Harry what they think of their father's planned marriage. Prince Harry resists the suggestion, while Prince William agrees as long as his father is happy. The Queen then informs Prince Charles of the result, and he immediately goes to Camilla to finally propose to her.
The Queen then asks her bagpiper what kind of lament he finds most beautiful, as she is choosing the appropriate music for her funeral. The bagpiper then plays "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep". [1] [2] The bagpiper is given permission by the Queen to offer his rendition of the soldier's ballade inside the house and he proceeds to play. The loud bagpipes resound through the house as several members of the staff recognize the melody with visible expressions showing their recognition of the memory of fallen soldiers. One of the maids working with others preparing a reception room elsewhere in the home recalls the lyrics and intones them while her co-workers stop to hear her thoughtful rendition of the ballade singing: "Soldier, lie down, on your wee pickle straw/ It's not very broad, and it's not very braw/ But, dearie, it's better, than nothing at all/ Sleep, Dearie Sleep."
A scandal arises involving Prince Harry, who has chosen a German Afrika Korps uniform from a costume hire company and has been photographed wearing it at a birthday party. In the horse stable, the Queen imagines a conversation with her middle-aged self (Olivia Colman), who urges her to abdicate because she is tired and has neglected her role as a mother. [1]
Following this imagined conversation, the Queen starts planning a speech at Charles and Camilla's wedding where she would announce this news. However, she later imagines another dialogue with her young-aged self (Claire Foy). This younger Queen advises her against abdicating, reminding her that she took an oath to devote her whole life to the people's service. The young Elizabeth says that the crown is a "symbol of permanence, of stability, of continuity" and that to step down would suggest a luxury of choice, going against the idea that it is her birthright. She says that the elder Queen is actually in her prime and has become "liberated" and "confident" since her Golden Jubilee and the death of her mother. The young Elizabeth explains that while the system is not kind, natural, nor fair, she thrives in it, and the system, in turn, thrives under her. The elder Queen asks about the life and the personal identity she put aside to become Queen, to which her younger self responds that her old personal identity as "Elizabeth Windsor" has been long gone, that only her identity as The Queen remains, and there is nothing to return to.
Assured of her decision, The Queen makes her speech after the wedding, deliberately skipping the card containing her abdication message, which William and Harry notice. William hints to the Queen that he knew what she had been struggling with, and she tells him that he needs to look after Harry, because spares need "extra care and attention".
After Charles and Camilla's wedding reception, Philip and Elizabeth talk in the St George's Chapel, complimenting Elizabeth for staying strong despite her internal struggle. He expresses his doubts that those who will come after her are "remotely ready" to take on the crown. He says that Elizabeth was "born ready", and that she is one of a kind. He says they won't have to worry about that, as once someone else takes over, they will be buried in that very chapel, while he also expresses his belief that the Monarchy will come to an end after they are gone, as "the system no longer makes sense".
Philip leaves, and the Queen is left alone in the chapel, as she looks back on her life. She picks up her handbag and turns to see her bagpiper play her chosen funeral lament, "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep". As she moves towards the exit, her coffin appears, with the crown, orb, and scepter resting on it. From behind it, a young Elizabeth (Viola Prettejohn), wearing an ATS uniform, steps out and salutes the Queen. As the Queen turns back towards the exit, Claire Foy's and Olivia Colman's versions of the Queen appear, and she makes her way through the chapel. The exit door opens and she leaves, displaying a symbolic bright white light. [3] [4]
