The Crown: Embattled Princess Diana pleads ‘to be loved’ in series four trailer

The Crown has released its latest trailer for series four, offering fans their first chance to hear Emma Corrin’s recreation of Princess Diana’s iconic voice.

The preview shows the young royal pleading ‘to be loved’ by the Royal Family after marrying into the firm at a young age as Prince Charles felt increasing pressure to wed and secure his future on the throne.

Gillian Anderson also offers her version of Margaret Thatcher’s Iron Lady drawl as she plays a ‘dangerous game’ by clashing with the Olivia Colman’s portrayal of The Queen after being elected as Prime Minister, vowing she doesn’t mind ‘making enemies’ as she divides the nation with her Parliamentary views.

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The preview begins with the newly-elected Thatcher and The Queen’s first meeting at Buckingham Palace, with it being clear from the outset that the pair aren’t going to see eye-to-eye.

Preparing herself for the meeting, the stoic politician says: ‘I think we have enough respect for one another personally to ask ourselves one of the bigger questions woman to woman. We are the same age after all…. just six months between us.’

A somewhat rattled Queen Elizabeth says ‘really? And who is the senior?’ to which Thatcher responds briskly: ‘I am, ma’am.’

Despite the clear progression in Thatcher’s election – given she was the first female Prime Minister in British history – it seems that not all of the Royal Family are convinced as Prince Phillip tells his wife: ‘Two women running the shop that’s the last thing this country needs.’

Somewhat defending Thatcher, the Queen responds: ‘Perhaps that’s exactly what this country needs.’

Sadly it appears that not everyone is sold on Thatcher’s plans to reignite the economy, as she tells Parliament: ‘My goal is to change this country from being dependent to self-reliant. And I think in that I am succeeding.’

As ripples of laughter ring around the House of Commons the Queen narrates: ‘Joblessness, recession, crises. It’s a dangerous game to make enemies left, right and centre.’

Ever unfazed, Thatcher says: ‘What if one is comfortable with having enemies?’ implying she certainly isn’t fazed by rivalries, either in Parliament or the Royal Household.

Discussing the dynamics between Thatcher and the Queen in series four, creator Peter Morgan said: ‘It could be said that they are two very similar women, born only months apart. 

‘They are very much defined by the Second World War, by a sense of a sense of frugality, hard work, commitment, Christianity and so much more. 

‘It was a commonly held piece of wisdom that the Queen and Thatcher didn’t get on. I think there was probably a lot of respect. 

‘But they also had many differences, it was really fun exploring their differences and their similarities. I also get a chance to explore them both as mothers. Writing Thatcher and the Queen as mothers was probably an angle that no one has explored before. But it yielded one of my favourite episodes in the season.’ 

Focus then shifts to series four’s other most prominent story – the tumultuous romance between Prince Charles (played by Josh O’Connor) and Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin). 

It’s clear from the start that the young royal is feeling pressured to marry and secure the future of the monarchy, with Charles Dance’s Lord Mountbatten narrating: ‘One day dear boy you shall be kind your duty now is the choice if a woman that people will lover as a princess and in due course as Queen.’ 

The narration is combined with Charles and Diana’s playful first meeting, with the innocent kindergarten assistant clueless to the storm she was walking into.

Diana’s famous voice and demure demeanour is clear throughout the preview, which hints at trouble in their marriage from the outset, as Princess Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter) warns: ‘How many times can this family make the same mistake. Paying the consequences each time.’

As Diana struggles with the isolation of life in the Palace, the trailer offers another glimpse of her stunning David Emanuel wedding gown, before cutting to what appears to be Mountbatten’s tragic passing after being killed by bomb that had been planted on his fishing boat. 

Diana then tearfully tells the Queen: ‘All I want is to be loved that’s all any of us want from you.’

It also seems that Charles is battling with whether he’s made a huge mistake in choosing to marry Diana over his former flame Camilla Parker-Bowles – who he can be seen kissing in the trailer – and lashes out by screaming: ‘What does one have to do to get some kindness in this family!’ 

The trailer ends with another montage of some of the series’ most memorable moments, including Thatcher’s own struggles with landing such a prominent position of power, and Margaret’s own struggles with adjusting to life after divorcing Anthony Armstrong-Jones. 

On creating Diana, Peter said: ‘Diana now has a historical perspective. I am really conscious of that. I really don’t want to get too close so that what I do is journalistic. 

‘I really want to make sure that there is enough distance so that if you tell the story of Diana it can almost be something else. It can have metaphorical resonance.’

The Crown Series Four will begin as the 1970s are drawing to a close, with the Royal Family preoccupied with safeguarding the line of succession by securing an appropriate bride for Prince Charles who is still unmarried at 30.

The British nation is struggling with the impact of the divisive policies introduced by Britain’s first female Prime Minister Thatcher.

Tensions between the Prime Minister and the Queen are expected to only get worse as Thatcher leads the country into the Falklands War, generating conflict within the Commonwealth.

A silver lining comes in the form of Charles’ fairytale romance with young Lady Diana, but behind closed doors, the Royal family is becoming increasingly divided.  

Diana married Charles in 1981, and the couple welcomed sons William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. After separating in 1991, they divorced in 1996, with Diana then tragically killed in a car accident on 31st August 1997.

Emma’s casting was announced in April 2019, with The Crown’s creator Peter Morgan calling her ‘a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer.’ 

Helena will once again appear as Princess Margaret, while Tobias will play Prince Phillip.

Josh will reprise his role as Prince Charles, expected to take centre stage this series due to his relationship with Diana.

The series will also feature the ongoing issue of apartheid in South Africa, as well as the assassination of Lord Mountbatten, and the miners’ strike of 1984-85.

Despite concerns that the series would be delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis, which brought much of the television industry to a halt, it seems the fourth season will be released as planned.

Bosses revealed back in March that filming was wrapped earlier than planned, though a majority of principle photography had already been completed. 

The Crown Series Four will be released on Netflix on Sunday, November 15th.