Episode 10: Sleep Dearie Sleep

In the aftermath of Princess Margaret’s death, the Queen approaches her Golden Jubilee with more trepidation than ever before. With her mother’s health in decline, she finds herself vulnerable to the attacks of Mohamed Al Fayed who pursues a high-profile campaign to prove responsibility for Diana’s death lies with the Royal Family. Meanwhile, between his blossoming romance with Kate and the re-opened case surrounding his mother’s death, William seeks to lead as normal a life as possible while he still can.   Edith Bowman speaks with director Erik Richter-Strand about showing a more vulnerable side of the Queen, and Head of Research Annie Sulzberger introduces researcher Anna Basista to give insight into the Paget Report. Actor Marcia Warren reflects on playing the Queen Mother and Edith meets The Crown’s Prince Harry, Luthor Ford – in his first ever interview.   The Crown: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Left Bank Pictures.    Host: Edith Bowman  Guests: Erik Richter-Strand, Marcia Warren, Annie Sulzberger, Anna Basista, Luther Ford.

Whilst holidaying in Mustique, Princess Margaret suffers a stroke and is suddenly forced to reassess her lifestyle. Margaret is keen to recover in anticipation of her seventieth birthday, but the Queen remains concerned that her party-loving sister will not be able to kick the habits of a lifetime in order to heal. As Margaret’s health continues to decline, she finds herself slipping back into her memories, back to her secret night out with her sister during the biggest party in history: VE Day 1945. The memories from that evening, and what it taught her about her older sister, comfort her in her final days.   Edith Bowman speaks with co-writer Meriel Sheibani-Clare and director Alex Gabassi about exploring Princess Margaret’s final years. Producer Martin Harrison talks recreating 1945 and actor Lesley Manville says goodbye to Princess Margaret.   The Crown: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Left Bank Pictures.  Host: Edith Bowman  Guests: Meriel Sheibani-Clare, Alex Gabassi, Martin Harrison, Lesley Manville.

As Prince William takes up his place at St Andrews University to study art history, after a gap year in Africa and South and Central America, he struggles to balance the traditional undergraduate rites of passage with the constraints of his position and constant presence of personal protection officers. His perseverance is tested when he develops a crush on one of the most desired students on campus: a woman by the name of Kate Middleton.   Edith Bowman speaks with co-writer Jonanthan Wilson and director May El-Toukhy about creating William’s university world and introducing Kate Middleton. Dialect coach William Conacher looks back at his work across six seasons of The Crown and Edith meets the actors behind Kate and William – Meg Belamy and Ed McVey. The Crown: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Left Bank Pictures.    Host: Edith Bowman  Guests: Jonathan Wilson, May El-Toukhy, William Conacher, Ed McVey, Meg Belamy.

Two years into his premiership, Tony Blair continues to ride a wave of unprecedented popularity. This unnerves the Queen who worries that the Royal Family’s own popularity does not match up. When she commissions a wide-ranging poll, the results are sobering, leading the Queen to reflect on what she - and the Palace - could be doing differently. After Blair’s reputation is further cemented by his successful humanitarian intervention in Kosovo, the Queen asks him what he would do to modernise the monarchy. His ideas and suggestions force the Queen to confront just how much change she would be prepared to accept. Edith Bowman speaks with co-writer Daniel Marc Janes and director Erik Richter-Strand and The Crown’s long standing Props Master Owen Harrison. Actor Bertie Carvel, speaks about the attraction of playing Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Crown: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Left Bank Pictures.  Host: Edith Bowman  Guests: Daniel Marc Janes, Erik Richter-Strand, Owen Harrison, Bertie Carvel.

Still coming to terms with his mother’s death, Prince William resumes school at Eton just three days after her funeral. He wants things to return to normal as quickly as possible - but rapidly discovers his life has changed in more ways than one. Among the letters of sympathy arriving by the sackload from members of the public are adoring letters from teenage girls - evidence of his growing status as a reluctant heartthrob. The attention grows as William is requested to attend a series of official engagements. Edith Bowman dives into William’s teenage fame with co-writer Jonathan Wilson and director May El-Toukhy. Actors Dominic West (Prince Charles) discusses royal parenting and Jonathan Pryce (Prince Philip) looks back at his experience on The Crown.   The Crown: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Left Bank Pictures.    Host: Edith Bowman  Guests: Jonathan Wilson, May El-Toukhy, Dominic West, Jonathan Pryce.