The Crown's Season 6 Episode 8 unfolds across two distinct time horizons. We are first transported to the contemporary era, where Princess Margaret's unhealthy indulgence in cigarettes, sweets, and all the vices of her age are laid bare. Unexpectedly, while enjoying a moment of camaraderie with her friends, Margaret experiences a minor stroke. The doctors' stern advice echoes: a change in lifestyle is imperative. She is instructed to abstain from smoking and sweets, and to embark on a fitness journey.
Despite Her Majesty's urging for Margaret to rest and recuperate, she remains determined to fulfill her royal duties. Tragically, on a trip, Margaret suffers another stroke, this time resulting in a burn on her leg. The injury, though not life-threatening, serves as a stark reminder of her fragile health.
Throughout the episode, Margaret persistently presses Queen Elizabeth to accompany her to the Ritz, longing to relive a night that Elizabeth wishes to forget. As Margaret's birthday draws near, her entreaties become more urgent. On her special day, Her Majesty acquiesces and they descend upon the Ritz.
As they lift their glasses in a toast to the Queen, Margaret prepares to divulge their indiscreet evening at the Ritz. Her intention is to reveal the extent to which the Queen has sacrificed for the Crown, yet before she can utter a word, Queen Elizabeth cuts her short with a heartfelt compliment. She describes Margaret as a steadfast ally, one who has remained by her side through thick and thin. This unprecedented display of affection from the Queen is profoundly moving, stirring emotions within Margaret and all who witness the tender exchange.
Her Majesty is captured in a tender moment, reading to Princess Margaret in her bedchamber, shortly after their arrival at Buckingham Palace. Princess Margaret's eyes betray a profound understanding that her days on this mortal coil are numbered. As the princess drifts into a deep slumber, the queen slips silently from the room, casting a fleeting glance behind her, as if sensing the shadow of impending fate.
Flashing back to 1945, we find ourselves at the Ritz. The British royals occupy the upper floors, but our gaze is drawn to the basement where Queen Elizabeth, uninhibited, dances exuberantly with the Americans after indulging in the spirits. Princess Margaret, unable to resist the allure, joins her sister, and together they embark on a night of unforgettable revelry.
Shortly thereafter, Princess Margaret shares a candid moment with her sister, confessing that she had kissed a man in the basement's dim recesses. The two queens-to-be then make their way back to Buckingham Palace, still intoxicated by the night's festivities.
The narrative seamlessly bridges the two timelines. As Princess Margaret enters the palace, her youthful self fades away, replaced by the wise and steadfast woman she has become. Her older self reassures Elisabeth with a tender smile that she will always stand by her side.
The episode's closing credits inform us that Princess Margaret peacefully passed away in her sleep on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71. Her life, filled with love, laughter, and royal duty, comes to a poignant end.
