Prince Philip discovers that the royal yacht, Britannia , requires £14 million in repairs—a metaphor for the aging monarchy itself.
Season 5 of The Crown opens with an episode titled setting the stage for a decade defined by personal scandal and questions about the monarchy's survival. The Story: Cruel Britannia The Crown Season 5 - Episode 1
Charles and Diana attempt a family vacation in Italy, but the "honeymoon" only exposes the bitter cracks in their marriage. 'The Crown' Season 5 Episode 1 Recap: Cruel Britannia Prince Philip discovers that the royal yacht, Britannia
John Major (Jonny Lee Miller) takes office and finds himself caught between the Queen’s request for yacht repairs and Charles’s desire for power. 'The Crown' Season 5 Episode 1 Recap: Cruel
Set in 1991, the episode introduces a royal family grappling with a rapidly changing world.
A Sunday Times poll suggests the Queen is "old" and "out of touch," comparing her to Queen Victoria in her later, reclusive years.