Episode 1 of Young Royals Season 3 kicks off with a tense gathering, bringing together the royal family, August and his legal counsel, and Simon alongside his mother, to confront the aftermath of the notorious sex tape scandal. Recalling Sara's decisive action in reporting August to the authorities at the climax of Season 2, the stage is set for consequences to unfold – or so Simon's mother initially believed.
The Queen, her words sparse yet her stance clear, subtly aligns herself with Wilhelm amidst the fray, yearning for the matter to be resolved privately, shielding the royal institution from further scandalous exposure. The Royal Court trembles at the prospect of the case unraveling, fearing its devastating impact on the family's already fragile reputation.
August, offering a compromise, proposes a substantial sum of 1.2 million crowns as recompense. However, Simon's mother's fury boils over as August's attorney minimizes the profound harm the video has inflicted upon Simon and her household, unaware of the relentless threats their family has endured since its release. She insists that justice demands more than mere monetary settlement; August must face the court.
The proceedings take a momentary hiatus, allowing Simon's own lawyer to gently remind them of the weight of the Royal Court's influence, rendering their legal options limited. Simon's mother remains unconvinced, yet Simon himself expresses exhaustion from the relentless battle. Excusing himself from the tense atmosphere, he stumbles upon Wilhelm, the two recalling their idealistic visions of Simon's maiden visit to the palace, now marred by unforeseen circumstances.
Despite the gloom, they seize the moment, indulging in a fleeting escape as Wilhelm introduces Simon to his chambers, their chemistry igniting into a passionate embrace until they're abruptly recalled to the fray.
Returning to the fray, Simon's mother declares their intention to withdraw, only to be swayed by a revelation from August's lawyer – the unearthing of Simon's past involvement in selling his father's drugs to Hillerska students and Wilhelm's own gunpoint confrontation. In a bid to quash these damning secrets, August demands an official recognition as the Crown Prince-in-waiting, a demand that ignites Wilhelm's fury, sparking a heated confrontation that prompts the Queen to intervene, restoring order amidst the chaos.
Ultimately, their minds converged, and August and Wilhelm, with a steely resolve, chose to maintain a deliberate distance from each other. The Queen's stance was unequivocal; August had yet to traverse the path of redemption, yet she pleaded with the young men to steer clear of any further scandals that might mar their reputations. The relentless tumult had etched its toll on her, and her heart yearned for Erik's presence more keenly than ever. Turning her gaze towards Wilhelm, she reminded him of the impending milestone – his seventeenth birthday, and the weighty mantle of succession that awaited him. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, she found herself succumbing to a wave of anxiety.
Days later, we found ourselves reunited with Felice and her fellow students amidst the bustle of school life. Felice's heart still bore the scars of Sara's actions, her friends' concerns mounting as they feared she was drowning in a sea of melancholy. They sought to buoy her spirits with the promise of upcoming school festivities, their relief palpable when Felice's face lit up upon learning of Wilhelm's impending return. Naturally, their minds wandered to the implications of Wilhelm's return on his complex relationship with Simon.
Meanwhile, Farima, ever the strategist, counseled Wilhelm to harness his bond with Simon as a catalyst for modernizing the monarchy's archaic image. She painted a vision where, through diligent training and diligent work over the summer months, Wilhelm could spearhead a revolution of sorts, fostering a fresh generation of royal enthusiasts. Topping the agenda was the inception of a charity foundation, to be unveiled on Wilhelm's seventeenth birthday, marking his inaugural official duty as Crown Prince. However, the plan was not without its pitfalls, primarily the need to shield Simon from the prying eyes of journalists and the pitfalls of a high-profile social media presence. Wilhelm, with confidence etched on his face, assured Farima that he had every aspect of the situation firmly under his control.
Concurrently, Simon's mother's trust in him hangs precariously, prompting her to demand a drug test and banishing him from extracurricular activities for the remainder of the semester. Simon's futile attempts at justification are met with an unyielding wall of her disbelief. Fueled by frustration, he lashes out at Sara, unjustly laying blame upon her shoulders and ultimately requesting her departure, which she acquiesces to, relocating to their father's abode.
At Hillerska, a media frenzy engulfs the student body, their relentless pursuit of Wilhelm's connection with Simon escalating into prying into past hazing rituals and exploiting Wilhelm's recent speech to stir up more controversy. Yet, the students, particularly the third-year cohort, remain steadfast in their disinterest, their hearts set on the upcoming graduation festivities and the cherished school experiences yet to unfold. Even August strives to embrace the school's spirit, but Victor's incessant reminders of Sara and Felice cast a damper on his mood, revealing a lingering attachment to Sara beneath his defensive facade. Moreover, a deeper layer of August's psyche unfolds as he grapples with concerns over his weight.
Upon Wilhelm's return, Simon greets him with an ardent embrace, their relationship now an unabashed truth. Their open affection, marked by love hearts etched upon each other's belongings, warms the hearts of those who witness it. Felice joins them, her inquiry about Sara tinged with both resentment and longing. Simon, empathetic, vows to return Sara's necklace, recognizing a shared sentiment.
As Simon trudges home after school, he's ambushed by a pack of journalists, their questions fueled by Marcus' inflammatory statements depicting Simon and Wilhelm's relationship as tumultuous. Confiding in Ayub and Rosh, Simon confesses his alienation from Marcus' interview and the weight of hateful comments. Yet, he hesitates to burden Wilhelm with his struggles, believing a direct response to the accusations might set the record straight. But Wilhelm, having glimpsed the comments, urges Simon to ignore them, his words a soothing balm amidst the storm.
On the contrary, Wilhelm engages in a conversation with Nils, who, while admiring Wilhelm's bravery, deems his public revelation a folly. Wilhelm inquires about Erik and the manner in which his late brother navigated his school relationships. Nils redirects him towards August, suggesting he would know best, for he was closer to Erik. Nils further notes that Erik cherished privacy, believing in safeguarding personal matters from public scrutiny.
Concurrently, Felice's circle of friends orchestrates an intervention, determined to lift her from her melancholic state. They devise a respite in New York upon the school's closure, excitedly discussing the retail therapy and revelry that awaits them.
Dawn breaks with Wilhelm greeted by a flurry of news articles, his speech having ignited a wave of former students' voices, sharing their school experiences. The media voraciously devours the gruesome tale of an initiation rite from years past, where a student was compelled to disrobe, subjected to a pornographic film, and ridiculed for a natural bodily response.
This revelation shocks the school's community, prompting an impromptu gathering to introduce Vanessa Hamilton, the interim headmistress. With Miss Anette on administrative leave amidst the ongoing investigations, Vanessa declares stringent new regulations in response to the allegations. Students are now limited to a solitary hour of phone usage, all extracurricular activities are suspended indefinitely, and a strict 7 PM curfew is imposed. Violators face immediate suspension, a decree that met with discontent, particularly among third-year students whose graduation ceremonies have been abruptly canceled.
Vanessa's tone is unwavering, emphasizing that the future of Hillerska rests on their shoulders. She underscores the need to demonstrate that Hillerska is a haven of safety, for failure to do so will lead to its immediate closure. The stakes are high, and the students are left to grapple with the gravity of their actions and the consequences that loom ahead.
