Previously on Netflix’s The Crown, Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) spent time with her sister Margaret (Lesley Manville). Margaret died, after having suffered through multiple strokes. After what was a very emotional episode, now it goes to the ninth episode, “Hope Street.” 

The episode starts with a live television interview with Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw), a little over four years since the death of Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla) and Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki). He believes that the car accident was not an accident and that it was a murder. He thinks that the British Royal family planned the murder of the two of them. He claims to have evidence and witnesses. He also claims that Diana was pregnant when she died. 

William (Ed McVey) is shown exercising and going to his classes while having to face the trauma all over again, as he hears what’s being brought up about Diana and the accident with the claim made by Mohamed. There’s a scene where he sits on his bed and just stares into space, before one of his friends comes in, telling him that Kate Middleton (Megan Bellamy) is now single. He pushes William to go to an event that Kate will be attending. The event turns out to be a fashion show and Kate is one of the runway models. 

After the show, William and Kate get a chance to talk during the after-party. William and Kate get a chance to talk. He tells her that she looked “incredible” on the runway. Kate hints at him that she would like to give him a chance, which he quickly reacts to. He tells her that he’s always had feelings for her and the two of them kiss. Before anything else can be said, his bodyguard comes to him, letting him know he has to go home. 

Back at the castle, Elizabeth has lost her mother. An especially sad loss after just losing her sister Magaret. It’s now the day of the funeral. Everyone is there giving the family, especially Elizabeth, their condolences. William talks to his brother Harry (Luther Ford) about their mother. William expresses that he understood the troubles Diana was facing after the divorce. Harry disagrees, saying that he’s the one who is going through what she went through, but worse. William doesn’t like that he compares himself to their mother. 

After the service is over, Elizabeth meets with Tony Blair (Bertie Carvel), checking in on him and how things are in Texas with President Bush. The two discuss a possible war between Iraq and the United States of America. Blair tells the Queen that William would be a good fit for a new face, someone to give a statement and give a new foundation to the people around him. William could be inspiring, as he is already young and charismatic. 

Prince Charles (Dominic West) meets with Commissioner Stevens (Lorcan Cranitch). The commissioner is there to ask Charles questions regarding Diana’s death, and how she was feeling before the tragic event. William eavesdrops on the meeting, writing down notes and answers regarding the incident. Charles is disturbed by the questions, genuinely feeling concerned that this could have been planned. He then notices William sitting at the table, so he has someone close the door. 

William meets Elizabeth at her request. William mentions to her that things aren’t going well with Harry and Charles. He also tells her that he can’t have fun with security guards and photographers everywhere he goes; not being able to have the privacy he wants and to act as his true self. Elizabeth asks her grandson for help with the Golden Jubilee, which is what Blair advises on. 

He tells his grandmother about Kate and how she wants him to come have dinner with her parents. After their meeting, it’s nighttime when Kate and William talk on the telephone. He tells her about how the meeting went. He’s vocal about how he wants to keep their relationship quiet for now, mainly because of everything that’s going on. 

Commissioner Stevens concludes the matter of Diana and Dodi. He states that his team took the time and effort to reevaluate everything concerning the night of the incident, along with getting statements from family members. He has a response for Mohamed regarding his claims. They learned that Diana was not engaged, which is true. She declined the proposal and the two decided to remain friends. There was also no evidence that Diana was pregnant. 

As Stevens is explaining the evidence and Mohamed’s claims, there’s a montage of different tests that Stevens’ team did to make sure that everything was done correctly, without rushing. Mohamed’s claims were false, undoubtedly. Stevens had multiple pieces of evidence to go against Mohamed’s claims, including that the driver was driving the illegal speed limit and had been intoxicated.

The next day, Mohamed gives a speech. He decides to leave the U.K., expressing how upset he is and that, in his eyes, the Queen is racist. 

The next scene transitions to William meeting Kate’s family. They eat dinner as they watch Elizabeth during the Golden Jubilee. William starts to feel concerned for his grandmother. He decides to drive back, trying to make it before Queen Elizabeth makes her appearance at the balcony, which she was most nervous about. She was worried that no one would show up and that she wouldn’t have any more supporters. William makes it in time, surprising Elizabeth with his presence. 

This episode was good, giving the audience more time to see William and Elizabeth’s relationship grow closer over the years. It’s clear how much they relate to one another, not only being the oldest sibling but also having to deal with the pressure of who they are. It was also nice to see William and Kate grow closer over time, appreciating Kate’s patience and William being able to be honest with her. It will be very interesting and bittersweet to see how the last episode of the series will go. 

Rating: 9/10