Summary
The Crown continues to be impactful, thought-provoking, and dramatic.
We give a royal recap of the Netflix series The Crown season 5, episode 9, “Couple 31,” which will contain spoilers, so be warned!
There were only two main players in episode 9, which is not surprising — Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and their impending divorce that shocked the nation. The chapter dissects divorce proceedings, from an average couple to a couple of notoriety, to bring a full-circle view of what it’s like to be separated from someone you once married. The Crown continues to be impactful, thought-provoking, and dramatic.
The Crown season 5, episode 9 recap
Episode 9 of season 5 opens with a couple in divorce court talking about their separation and the emotional toll it has put on them. Episode 9 is showing the toll a divorce brings on a family. Queen Elizabeth II sends a letter to Princess Diana admitting that she needs to terminate her marriage with Prince Charles. She tells Diana about the damage she has caused. Diana reads the letter, and it feels final for her. An emotional moment for the Princess, realizing it was all over. However, her fame is not removed, as she is chased down by the press at every corner.
Diana has a list of terms for Charles, including residence and compensation. The Royal Family is performing damage control now, and Charles is feeling stressed by the demands laid on by Diana. Meanwhile, the Queen asks Prime Minister John Major to be an intermediatory for the divorce between Diana and Charles. John Major is delighted to be offered the role, but his wife does not seem pleased.
Camilla has a choice — either abandon her relationship with Prince Charles or go for legitimacy by being his wife. It’s a difficult deliberation for Camilla, as she never wanted the Royal labeling. However, she’s confident she can make Charles happy.
John Major tells Charles that it’s possible that Diana is trying to seek independence by being liberated. He tells Charles to be flexible. When John talks to Diana, he reveals Charles has one term — not to speak publically about the marriage or the monarch again. John is trying to make sure both divorcees keep things dignified for the sake of their futures.
Elizabeth receives an update from John. She thinks the entire divorce proceeding is sad, referencing how their wedding was one of the biggest in memory. After plenty of paperwork, negotiations, and terms, Charles and Diana reach a divorce settlement. Once all over, Elizabeth rings Charles to check if he’s okay — she tells him it will not have been easy for Diana either. She clearly feels sympathy on both sides.
The Crown season 5, episode 9 ending – why did Charles visit Diana after their divorce?
Charles goes to Diana’s home on a rare visit. He has no idea why he visited her. There is instant banter between them, even a little flirting. All tension seems relieved. Charles admits he didn’t say enough nice things to her. He asks Diana if she’s found someone, but she tells him she scared him off. Charles is hungry, so Diana offers to cook him dinner. She makes scramble eggs after trying to make an omelet.
Charles asks Diana for a review of their marriage. They both delve into why their marriage failed and what their needs were. Charles assures her that love was always there, but it was a better match rather than the perfect love. Maybe they should have discussed this while married is the first thing that crossed my mind.
Diana brings up Camilla and how she never stood a chance because of her — she suggests that he can do something other than being a King that he would be good at. She thinks that Charles being heir to the throne has made him miserable. Charles argues with Diana and asks why she married into the family if she didn’t want the same things. Diana turns the same question around on him. Charles tells Diana that his parents were aware that he was in love with someone else, but he was forced into marriage with her. An ugly admission that makes the entire conversation sour.
The discussion only led to a trade of insults, making Charles feel liberated rather than feeling guilty for the divorce. He leaves Diana’s place, leaving her sobbing.
The Crown season 5, episode 9 ends in the divorce court. The same court we’ve seen multiple times in this episode. Next up is “Couple 31,” which is Diana and Charles. There’s more interest in this divorce proceeding, with plenty of journalists in the audience. The divorce is finalized.
What did you think of The Crown season 5, episode 9? Comment below.
