Mum's Monday: The Queen

This film is based on true events, before and following the tragic death, of Princess Diana in Paris. However, how much of it is factual and how much of it is guess work or artistic licence is unclear.

Helen Mirren who plays the Queen, does so exceptionally well, capturing her stance, persona and decorum perfectly.

Princess Diana wasn’t your ordinary Princess, as portrayed by the reaction of the world to her death.

I can see why this film was made, it shows the turning point in the royal family, when they realised they had to become more modern, but in a reserved way and not losing any of it’s status.

The film, at the start shows Tony Blair (Played in the film by Michael Sheen) winning the general election, and becoming the Labour Prime Minister. It is said, that he wants to have a more modern outlook, and a scene in the film, suggests, that he would want to modernise the Queen and the royal family.

This film shows, that he didn’t have to, Princess Diana’s death did that, by making the royal family realise how much of an impact Diana had on the world.

To have, or not to have a state funeral, as she was no longer married into the family, but she was still the mother of a future king.

The film shows there is a fine line between, protocol and being a mother and a protective grandmother, to 2 boys who have lost their mother. Although the Queen should have given a statement to the nation sooner.

The film is brilliantly edited, mixing real life scenes with the scenes where the actors, act out their film roles.

The scenes over Scotland, although spectacular, show how far away and detached it all is away from London.

In one part of the film, Prince Philip (James Cromwell) says ‘In 48 hours, this would’ve all calmed down’ how wrong that statement was.

Cherie Blair (Helen McCrory) in the film, implies the country should become a republic, a little over the top. Diana’s death, shows there is still a need for all the good the royal family does for the nation and the world, but with a few changes, to stop them being bullied by the people.

We can honestly say nothing about Diana’s death went quietly, (even this film was made), but Tony Blair in the film struggled to make the Queen see, he did seem to push the boundary between a Prime Minister and Monarch.

This film does show the Queen in the light of not just being the Queen, with all the duty and reserve, that comes with it, but also as the human woman she is.

Tony Blair in the film warms to the Queen and her life and devotion to her duty, but in the end, popularity and change wins’ out, also her understanding and human side.  

For those people who want to remember Princess Diana, if you get a chance to go to Paris there are some places you can visit. The Ritz hotel is located at the Place Vendome and the tunnel is at the Pl. de l’Alma, this is also where the liberty flame is situated above. Although these may be deemed as sad places to see, if you loved the ‘People’s Princess’ then these are places you can feel you are walking in her footsteps.