15 Best Moments from ‘The Crown’ Seasons 1 and 2

The highly anticipated third season of Netflix’s The Crown is about to hit our screens with an all-new cast portraying the ever so fascinating royals.

Older and perhaps wiser, the members of the royal family will navigate the obstacles of their changing world.

Olivia Colman is taking the reins from Claire Foy and will reign over the monarchy for the next two seasons as Queen Elizabeth II (specifically from 1964-1976 for Season 3). Helena Bonham Carter will wear Princess Margaret’s shoes previously worn by Vanessa Kirby, and Tobias Menzies is taking the Prince Philip baton from Matt Smith. 

This changing of the guard of sorts is exciting as one superb cast gives way to another, letting them sink their teeth into the substantial yet subtle drama that encompasses The Crown.

Let’s take a look back at the best moments from The Crown Seasons 1 and 2. 

1. “My name is Elizabeth.”

On The Crown Season 1 Episode 2, “Hyde Park Corner,” Elizabeth is thrust into queendom following the death of her father, King George VI. She is told she must choose her regnal name, her father having chosen George although his given name was Albert. This division of self becomes a difficulty that Elizabeth struggles with as a young queen.

Elizabeth: What’s wrong with my name?
Philip: Nothing.
Elizabeth: Well, then, let’s not overcomplicate matters unnecessarily. My name is Elizabeth.
Martin: Then, long live Queen Elizabeth.

Hearing that for the first time literally stops her dead in her tracks. And this is just the beginning. 

2. Queen Mary’s Letter to Elizabeth

That division of self alluded to in Moment #1 is described so eloquently (and somewhat harshly with its honesty) by Queen Mary, Elizabeth’s paternal grandmother.

Queen Mary: I have seen three great monarchies brought down through their failure to separate personal indulgences from duty. You must not allow yourself to make similar mistakes. And while you mourn your father, you must also mourn someone else: Elizabeth Mountbatten. For she has now been replaced by another person, Elizabeth Regina. The two Elizabeths will frequently be in conflict with one another. The fact is, the Crown must win. Must always win.

That’s not super depressing or anything, not to mention the pressure. My lord, the pressure!

3. “Oh.”

If the Queen had a catchphrase, “Oh” would be it. Foy makes this simplistic, single-syllable word so complex. On The Crown Season 1 Episode 6, “Gelignite,” the word is said 18 times, mostly by Elizabeth. 

It is even made light of on The Crown Season 2 Episode 7, “Matrimonium,” when Margaret tells Elizabeth that she has accepted a marriage proposal from Antony Armstrong-Jones (Matthew Goode — to be played by Ben Daniels on Season 3).

Instead of saying anything, Elizabeth gives her this look of extreme consternation and restrained judgment. To which Margaret cattily replies, “I suppose that’s marginally better than the ‘Oh’ which was your reaction to Peter Townsend’s proposal.”

4. Pre-Coronation Marital Spat

Elizabeth becoming the Queen not only challenges her as an individual, but it challenges her husband, and thus their marriage. The subject of whether Philip should kneel to her at her coronation is a specifically royal conflict but also depicts a common clash amongst commoner couples all over the world. 

On The Crown Season 1 Episode 5, “Smoke and Mirrors,” Elizabeth and Philip have a squabble that results in bitter compromise on both their parts, and it reeks of normal marriage woes, making it widely relatable.  

Philip: Are you my wife or my Queen?
Elizabeth: I’m both. 
Philip: I want to be married to my wife. 
Elizabeth: I am both and a strong man would be able to kneel to both.

This entire scene is so incredible and deliciously tense—Foy and Smith absolutely nail it.

5. Even Kings Cry

Jared Harris’ time as King George VI on The Crown is brief as it is his death that catapults us into the story. However, he makes the most of it, giving a tremendously moving performance in every one of his scenes. The few times we see him succumb to his emotions are powerful moments.

On The Crown Season 1 Episode 1, “Wolferton Splash,” King George is moved to tears by carolers. Harris plays this in a painfully beautiful way, especially with the look he shares with Elizabeth.

6. Princess Margaret Serves Up The Tea

On The Crown Season 2 Episode 4, “Beryl,” Margaret’s dressing down of her soon-to-be betrothed, Billy Wallace, after his duel (yes, a freakin’ duel) is a thing of beauty. 

Margaret: You pathetic, weak, contemptible fool. I never even wanted to marry you. You were only ever an act of charity. Or desperation. And now you insult me? You? People like you don’t get to insult people like me. You get to be eternally grateful.

What a legend.

7. Busted!

On The Crown Season 1 Episode 7, “Scientia Potentia Est,” Elizabeth is feeling self-conscious about her lack of education. Her mother dismisses this, saying that she received “an entirely appropriate education for a woman of your background.”

Amidst this bout of insecurity, Elizabeth learns of subterfuge on the part of her prime minister and she must reprimand him. Taking her unique instruction and her own intelligence and integrity, she calls out the imposing politician with dignity and grace.

Elizabeth: I would like you to consider your response in light of the respect that my rank and my office deserve, not that which my age and gender might suggest.

Sir Winston Churchill (John Lithgow) is sufficiently shook. He cowers in shame and learns the lesson that Queen Elizabeth II is no fool.

8. Dancing Queen

Elizabeth causes quite a stir on The Crown Season 2 Episode 8, “Dear Mrs. Kennedy,” when she dances with President Nkrumah of Ghana in a risky move. It pays off and, once again, Elizabeth shows that she is a game-player, not just a figurehead with no mind of her own.

Foy gives so much nuance in this scene, not letting Philip in on her plan, and the sly glances to him as she dances. Martin narrates the scene before him over the phone to Prime Minister Harold Macmillan (Anton Lesser) who promptly loses his mind. 

Macmillan: What are they doing?
Freddie Bishop: [into the phone] What are they doing?
Martin: Hard to say. I believe it’s the foxtrot.
Freddie: [to Macmillan] The foxtrot, sir.

Macmillan’s face is priceless. 

9. Gossip Girl

On the same episode, “Dear Mrs. Kennedy,” another storyline involving American president JFK and first lady, Jackie Kennedy, is fraught with tension as well. Rumors that the first lady has spoken ill of the Queen and the monarchy get back to Elizabeth.

Over tea, the two discuss it. Elizabeth is polite and aloof, and Jackie is forthright, explaining her difficult and tumultuous marriage. It’s a very different tone than their earlier one-on-one, but the connection between them is still there. Jackie is able to confide a bit with Elizabeth and the Queen, in turn, can sympathize.

10. Photo Op

Princess Margaret’s private photo sesh with Tony on The Crown Season 2 Episode 4, “Beryl,” is terribly sexy. This intimate scene furthers the mystique around Tony and the possibility of a budding romance between the photographer and the princess. He captures her curiosity as well as a stunning and provocative portrait.

It prompts Margaret to rebel in a clever and classy way and gives her own self-worth a boost when she really needed it. And let’s be honest, Tony is a much better match for the formidable Margaret than “Group Captain Bore” Peter Townsend ever was.

This episode is our introduction to Tony, who is a bisexual character modeled after the real-life bisexual man, giving us some queer representation as a bonus.

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