The Crown's Season 6, Part 2, Episode 5 seamlessly picks up the thread from Part 1's cliffhanger. William struggles to contain his emotions in the wake of Princess Diana's passing, channeling his sorrow and indignation into pushing his academic and extracurricular pursuits at Eton to the extreme. Paradoxically, amidst this turmoil, he receives an outpouring of condolences and heartfelt messages from his Eton peers and admirers alike.
His refusal to outwardly express his feelings alarms the royal household, especially Prince Charles. Worried that William is suppressing his true sentiments, Charles proposes a skiing trip for the brothers in Canada, following their royal engagements. Initially resistant, William eventually concedes and joins his brother and father on the journey.
In Canada, William finds himself in the same spotlight as his late mother, garnering equal amounts of public and media adulation. Yet, he vocally expresses his disdain for the media frenzy and the obligation to entertain the masses during their royal engagements.
Upon Charles' return to Buckingham Palace, he broaches the subject of William's condition with Philip and Her Majesty, urging them to offer the young prince solace. Recognizing William's desperate need for a parental figure after his mother's death, Her Majesty insists that Charles should be that rock.
Subsequently, Philip and Her Majesty summon William for a meeting, but upon his arrival, only Charles is present. In a bid to mend fences and alleviate William's pain, Charles extends a hand of compassion. However, William implies that Charles is culpable in Diana's demise, a claim that deeply rattles Charles. As he attempts to explain his perspective, William undermines Charles' grief, leaving him devastated.
Shortly thereafter, Philip makes his way to Prince William's chambers. With poignant emotion, he reveals his distress, not just towards his mother's passing but towards her penchant for the spotlight and her untimely departure, leaving him behind. However, restrained by the weight of his grief, he finds himself redirecting that anger towards his father. Despite this, Philip strives to enlighten William, drawing parallels from his own experiences to illustrate his father's perspective.
As Philip steps aside, the scene shifts, focusing on William's encounter with Prince Charles. Their interaction is filled with unspoken understanding, and the episode culminates in a heartfelt, silent embrace between father and son.
