![]() I must say some parts of The Crown this season are difficult to enjoy. Now, it turns out that the royal family has no genetic link to Aunt Fenella, the Queen Mother's sister-in-law and the source of the bad genes, but either because they didn’t understand genetics at the time – or because they couldn’t trust the public to understand genetics – the cousins were hidden away. As there was already a history of madness in the royal family (King George III had bouts of madness, which may have been due to porphyria) they could not afford to risk more examples. That’s when she talks about “The Hereditary Principle,” which refers to the idea that the crown goes from one generation to the next based on the idea that one family has the divine right, or at least a sort of genetic superiority, which allows them to rule over others. The Queen Mother explains that the secrecy was kept because they didn’t want to let people think there might be (more) bad genes in the royal family. That, however, does not explain the secrecy. It would be very difficult for a family to manage to take care of two. Having one member of a family who is mentally deficient – the girls never learned to speak, which means their ability would be pretty low – would be hard. Princess Margaret is, however, shocked and has a row with her mother, who explains why the cousins were put in an institution: Aunt Fenella could not cope. (I have told my kids if I reach that situation, they may do that to me, as long as it’s a good one.) The royal family might have the wherewithal to take care of her cousins, but most families would not. ![]() Not all homes are terrible, and not everyone is equipped to take care of people who are physically ill or mentally deficient or both. Although Princess Margaret was horrified at their situation, I also don’t think putting Katherine and Nerissa in a home was necessarily cruel. However, I don’t know what the Queen or her sister knew. I did a little research, and it’s my understanding the general public was unaware of these cousins (not royals, but nieces of the Queen Mother). She uses Dazzle in his guise as a Catholic priest to do some sleuthing. Charles recommends to Margaret that she get therapy, and it is through therapy that Margaret discovers that she has cousins who are much worse off than she. Princess Margaret shows little interest in anything of substance, only drinking, smoking, dancing and men and performing rituals. ![]() Prince Charles is also depressed – but at least he is young, first in line for the throne (he’s the heir, not an aging spare) and he actually has an interest in something besides the usual royal tasks (organic gardening). Eventually she receives a visit from her nephew. Margaret goes to her friends in the Caribbean in order to recuperate, scenes we saw earlier with her young lover Roddy. Not that Princess Margaret, who is still helping herself to extra oxygen, is ready to do much. According to the rules, only a certain number of people may deputize for the Queen, and as Edward is closer in the succession than Princess Margaret, she suddenly has less to do. The fact that Edward has turned 21 makes a difference to his aunt. ![]() The episode alternates between the celebrations of a birthday in the asylum and Prince Edward’s 21st birthday in a royal setting. We are not told in the episode, however, what the results of the hospital visit are. I like how the information about this is not shown live, but through a television located in the asylum, where several observers are very interested in what is happening. Princess Margaret, who has been smoking 60 ciggies a day, goes into the hospital unlike her sister’s decision to keep away from the habit that contributed to the death of their father. Queen Elizabeth remarks on her sister’s persistent cough. The fellow declines her offer, and we soon learn the refusal has two bases: he’s a Catholic priest (or at least preparing to become one) and he’s gay, facts that come out when Margaret has a conversation with her sister. Princess Margaret makes it clear she’s ready for more. Princess Margaret and some guy – Dazzle Jennings – are dancing around a room. Of course, we wonder what is going on, and eventually we will be told. The episode also shows some gray-haired women in an asylum, a home for the mentally deficient. This episode focuses on Princess Margaret, which isn’t surprising as the actor, Helena Bonham Carter, is a powerhouse and any series would be foolish not to maximize its use of her. Princess Margaret: “What grandiosity? I’m so far down the royal pecking order these days, I’m practically an untouchable.”Įpisode description: "Grappling with mental health issues, Margaret seeks help and discovers an appalling secret about estranged relatives of the royal family." ![]()
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