It is election night in the USA as I write my Wednesday post.
And what better way to keep from thinking about this rancorous election year and its results than by hopping across the pond and filling my head with the ups and downs of the British royals in a new series, The Crown. This Netflix Original series focuses on Queen Elizabeth, beginning before she took the throne around the time of her marriage to Phillip.
I love to read novels set in Victorian and Regency England. I adore countless British movies and TV shows. Jerry, my hubby, calls them my “O, O” shows. (Hear that as “oh-oh” with a very proper British accent.) You know. Downton Abbey. Pride & Prejudice. Sense & Sensibilities. An Ideal Husband. Husbands & Wives. North & South. Young Victoria.
I went through a Tudor “thing” about eight years ago where I read more than a dozen novels about the Tudors (stories about all of Henry’s six wives and then other relatives). I read several Tudor histories. And I watched every movie and documentary about the Tudors that Netflix had available at the time.
Anyway, you can see that I was predisposed to love The Crown. And I did love it. I was completely drawn in to this first season. More than once I found myself checking facts and dates online, wanting to know about the real people behind the characters. I have even added a biography of Queen Elizabeth to my wish list over on Audible. I feel a binge coming on!!
So what is it about English royalty that captivates so many Americans like me? I mean, People Magazine has a page in most issues just to keep us abreast of Kate and William and their cute kids.
Is our fascination because so many of us grew up on Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty? I don’t know. I just know I like to step into those worlds every now and then.
How about you?
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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Great! I have this queued up on my Netflix account right now, so I will start watching season one this week.
Hope you like it as much as I have.
I understand what you are saying about the series The Crown!! I started watching the first season just this past Monday! Binged watched three of the eposides before my family came in wanting the television ! Can’t wait to continue the journey! I wad also fact checking while watching! What is wrong with that?! Lol Thank you for your books and continued writings!
Your welcome (regarding my books), Kim. And so glad there was another binger in the group. 😉
I love the royals, too. Read everything about Henry VIII and his unlucky wives. I can identify with your love of regency and Victorian England, where I find myself most of the time in my reading journey. I did not know about The Crown. Thanks for the info.
Hope you enjoy The Crown, Betty. As for Tudors, when I went through my all things Tudor stage, I learned how to keep track of those unfortunate wives: Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. I feel so smart.
I love royalty. I think for me the fascination of something we don’t have here. A land far away. I love to read about royalty and see pictures of them. I have relatives that live in England and am envious of their royal family. Like a fairy tale only it’s all so real.
You’ll love The Crown then, Shirley. The palaces always fascinate me. The size. The paintings on the walls. I’m such a low-maintenance kind of gal, I don’t think I would enjoy all that proper dressing day in and day out. Ha!
I am such an anglophile! I have just started The Crown. Of course, I love it! I’ve had the privilege of going to England twice. I am enthralled with all of it! Completely enchanted. It is my happy place. I think it all started when Diana married her prince. There would be no happily ever after, but my fascination continues. ‘Victoria’ starts here in the states in January. I’m assuming another Downton Abbey is in the making!!
Gail, I am eagerly awaiting the Victoria show, too. And January isn’t that far off now.