The Crown (TV Series)

Willsmania (2023)

Ed McVey: Prince William

Photos 

Quotes 

• Prince Charles : I just want you to move at your own speed.

  Prince William : This is my speed.

• Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : So, what's going on?

  [long pause] 

  Prince William : [simply]  Family.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : Oh, family. Psychologists are fairly evenly split between those who think a child should never be separated from its family and those who think sooner it's rescued from its family the better.

  Prince William : [quietly]  It's not everyone in the family. It's just you-know-who.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : Yes, well, before we talk about you and your father... I'm *assuming* it's your father... I want to talk to you about something else.

  [Prince Philip adjusts his sitting position in his chair] 

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : Back pain.

  Prince William : What?

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : I get it from time to time and when I do, I find it easier to label it just that. Back pain or neck pain or shoulder pain. Rather than what's *actually* causing it. Unresolved anger, feelings of guilt... or resentment.

  Prince William : [quietly]  I don't resent him. He resents me.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : Oh, no. For what it's worth, I don't think that's true. But maybe you're angry with your father because it's more acceptable than admitting... who you're really *angry* with.

  [William considers this] 

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : It occurred to me when I was... watching you in Greenwich with all those girls... and then in Toronto.

  Prince William : Vancouver.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : All of a sudden, you've become a public figure. Public property... and that isn't easy.

  Prince William : [simply]  I hate it. All the screaming and the shouting and all the attention... It's as if they think because I... look like her, I'm *like* her.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [assuring]  You're not *remotely* like her. I know that. So, is it possible you're angry with her for having been all the things you're not? Comfortable in the spotlight, confident in front of an adoring crowd, which you think you *now* have to be.

  Prince William : [quietly]  And hate.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [in agreement]  Hmm. And is it possible you're angry with her because... well, because of her leaving you? And leaving you to deal with with that legacy?

  [William seriously considers this] 

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [wise and assuring]  Except, what son can *ever* be angry with his mother? Especially when he's grieving... for her... and missing her so terribly. So you take it out on someone else... and blame him for the fact she's gone. An accusation I'm sure he's levelled at himself a hundred times. As have we all. But it's not our fault... and it's not *his* fault.

  [William very seriously considers this] 

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [wise and assuring]  And one day, when you're a father... and your own son is staring at you with murderous eyes, and you're praying for his forgiveness, as your father is currently praying for yours... and as I have on... shamefully too few occasions, prayed for his... well... maybe remember this chat.

• [Prince William enters his University room and sees his grandfather HRH Prince Philip waiting for him] 

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : I hope you don't mind. Doctor Gailey let me in.

  [Philip looks at the posters of female models on a wall] 

  Prince William : Sorry.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [assuring]  Oh, nothing to be ashamed of. Do they have names?

  Prince William : [steps forward and stands beside his grandfather]  That's uh, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [quite proud]  In my day, it was Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable and Lana Turner. Mean anything to you?

  Prince William : [shakes his head]  No.

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh : [chuckling]  Of course not.