The final episodes of Netflix spectacle The Crown were released this morning – with more bizarre moments than ever.
After six seasons chronicling the life and times of the Royal Family, the final instalment spans the period from the late 90s to 2005 – covering the deaths of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, Charles and Camilla‘s wedding, and William and Harry reaching adulthood.
Here, Sky News details the seven most controversial moments from the second instalment of the final season.
Warning, spoilers ahead.
King Tony Blair?
The Labour Party as the new Royal Family, Things Can Only Get Better as the national anthem… and Tony Blair as King?
But a bizarre series of events sees the Queen consulting the then-prime minister for advice on how to modernise the monarchy.
Peter Morgan’s show also depicts the Queen being intimidated by Blair’s impressive poll ratings. She commissions research using focus groups on public opinion about the monarchy.
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“Historically, I’ve not worried too much about prime ministers’ popularity. It tends to come and go very quickly,” she tells aides in the show.
“But I’ve a feeling that could be different with Mr Blair. People really do seem to love him and see him as a true son of England, and a unifying national symbol in a way they used to see, well, me.”
Image: Tony Blair depicted in The Crown Pic: Justin Downing/Netflix
But when Mr Blair presents his proposed reforms, the Queen is quick to rebuff them. The show depicts his popularity falling shortly afterward.
Princess Margaret’s death
The decline of the Queen’s sister’s health is chronicled in the seventh episode of this season.
It alternates between the present day and the sisters’ joyful celebrations on VE Day in 1945 – including an early morning walk home to Buckingham Palace from a music club after a night of kissing and dancing.
Image: Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret Pic: Daniel Escale/Netflix
As both sisters grapple with their childhood memories, and declining health, the importance of their relationship is highlighted – with the Queen seen reading stories to Margaret and kissing her affectionately.
Margaret faces her demise as she suffers several strokes. She tells her older sister: “I’m not thrilled about [death]. In fact, I’m furious. I’m not ready to leave this particular party.”
And as Margaret’s death is imminent, she promises a young Queen: “I will always be by your side – no matter what.”
Kate Middleton in that dress
After years of scheming by Carole Middleton, and one see-through dress, The Crown shows Kate becoming the object of William’s affections.
Image: Kate Middleton depicted in The Crown Pic: Justin Downing/Netflix
Before this is several months in which she and William become friends – then the young prince pines after the spoken for-Kate.
A break-up and a risque fashion show later, the pair confess their feelings towards each other.
“I’ve always been interested. Bordering on obsessed. To the point where I thought if I couldn’t be with you, I’d sooner not be here at all,” William says.
The pair share a kiss – only to be interrupted by his security guard informing him of the death of the Queen Mother.
Image: Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey as Kate Middleton and Prince William in The Crown Pic: Netflix
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Imelda Staunton portrays Queen Elizabeth II in the hit drama The Crown.
As the relationship progresses, the pair move in together, along with two friends, to a house in St Andrews.
The ghost of Queens past
Both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman return in the final episodes to offer sage, and contradictory, words of wisdom to the older version of the Queen.
Colman – the middle-aged Queen – calls Imelda Staunton’s Queen a “coward” for not telling her husband how she was feeling about planning her funeral.
She urges the older Queen to consider making way for Charles after more than 50 years on the throne.
“Stepping down is the right thing to do. Both as Queen and as a mother,” Colman’s Queen says.
Later, Foy’s Queen implores the older Queen to consider the oath she made at 21.
“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service,” Foy’s Queen reminds her.
“If you step down, you will be symbolising instability and impermanence. You’ll also be indicating the luxury of choice, which is the one thing we cannot have if we claim the Crown is our birthright.”
The aftermath of Diana’s death
As William and Harry struggle with the grief of their mother’s passing, the young heir takes his anger out on his father.
After a months-long stand-off between Charles and William, frustrations reach a boiling point with the teenager blaming his father for Diana‘s death.
Image: Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in the sixth and final series of The Crown. Pic: Netflix
He shouted: “She should never have been anywhere near the Fayeds. She should have been safe with us. The fact that she wasn’t is your fault.
“You didn’t actually drive the car but you drove her into the arms of those who did. By making her so unhappy, by loving someone else.
He added: “She still loved you and only wanted to be in the South of France so she would not to be there when you threw a birthday party for the other one.”
Later on, we see the young princes struggle to cope with the police investigation into the Paris car crash which was sparked by Mohamed al Fayed’s conspiratorial claims in the British press.
Harry vs William
The early signs of the current frosty relationship between Princes William and Harry are depicted in the season’s second instalment.
From bickering over the death of their mother, to the acceptance of Charles and Camilla’s relationship – the tensions between the heir and the spare emerge early on.
Image: Prince Harry and Prince William in The Crown Pic: Justin Downing/Netflix
But it culminates in the Queen asking Prince William to look out for Harry – after a photograph of him wearing a swastika to a fancy dress party makes the front pages of the newspapers.
“Be kind to him,” the Queen says to William. “In many ways, it’s harder being number two than number one. The system protects number one. Number two tends to…”
“Go mad,” William interrupts.
“I was going to say, ‘need extra care and attention’,” the Queen replies.
The Queen abdicating… and the end of the monarchy?
As both the Queen and Prince Philip are forced to plan out their funeral, their minds wander towards the future.
Image: Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce and the Queen and Prince Philip in The Crown Pic: Netflix
The Queen appears to contemplate abdicating the throne, with speculation mounting over a top-secret speech she is due to deliver at Charles and Camilla’s wedding.
Instead, she appears to skip several cards on which her speech is written at the reception and decides to stay on.
But that doesn’t stop Prince Philip from predicting the end of the monarchy.
In the final scene of the series, he tells Elizabeth: “The system makes no sense anymore to those outside it, nor to those of us inside it.
“We’re a dying breed, you and I. Oh, I’m sure everyone will carry on, pretending all is well. But the party’s over.”
Fashion brand Topshop celebrated its relaunch with its first catwalk in seven years.
The company’s website promised everyone was invited as models strutted down a runway on Trafalgar Square in front of noughties fashion icons Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah and the London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
The label has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020.
Image: Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image: A model on the catwalk
Its previous owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed into administration and all of Topshop’s physical stores – including the Oxford Circus flagship in London’s West End – closed soon after.
Delevingne told Sky News she was “totally blown away” by the relaunch event.
“It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new,” she said.
“For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much.”
The model, who is working on a capsule collection for next year, has already unveiled a choice edit in this year’s show and said her relationship with Topshop precedes her fame.
She said: “I would go in and my friends would be like ‘you would look good in that’ and I would go ‘no, that’s not really me’, and then you’d try it on and be like ‘oh maybe I can explore more’.
“They really have everything for everyone, and I feel like they brought that back.”
The runway showcased highlights from its Autumn-Winter 2025 collection, as well as an early preview of pieces set to drop later this season, including showstopper gowns, the classic white tee, and an aloe vera-coloured faux fur coat that surely should not have been on display – to prevent just about everyone rushing to buy it.
Image: Topshop’s relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square
Image: Models in front of the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Reclaiming the high street
But sharp tailoring and statement outerwear suggest the brand is ready to reclaim the high street.
Must-have denim pieces completed the womenswear line-up while the Topman collection screamed modern utility by blending refined formal wear with sharp new silhouettes.
Casual pieces are grounded by authentic denim in deep indigos, which stood out on Trafalgar Square’s magnificent stone steps.
Topshop’s relaunch comes as the high street continues to struggle and as the UK operation of Chinese fashion giant Shein announced pre-tax profits of £38.3m for the year, up some £14m from 2023.
‘Top end of the market’
Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop/Topman said they are competing in a different space.
Image: Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020
“We’re at the top end of the market. We’re about elevation. We pride ourselves on the quality of the product,” he said.
Those products are being designed in north London, and managing director Michelle Wilson said the aim is to stay that way.
“We are a British brand, we want to be a positive force for fashion. We want to bring London to the world. It’s fundamental to who we are as a brand, our style is very much London-driven.”
The majority Danish-owned company has suggested it will slow fashion down by opening physical stores where customers can touch the products, browse collections and try things on, though the flagship on Oxford Circus is unlikely to return because a Swedish fast furniture brand has since occupied the space.
Designer Wayne Hemingway has previously collaborated with Topshop and said the relaunch must be more than nostalgia.
“They can’t rely on their old customers because their old customers have now got kids of their own to spend their money on, and they’ve got mortgages and all of those things of what being an adult means.
“They’ve got to have designers, marketeers, people who understand – who are on the pulse – who understood, number one, what was a success back then, and also a young generation of people who are there saying, ‘this is what our generation needs’, and who are bright and can help deliver that. They can’t rely on the past.”
Jones said in a statement: “A few months ago, I had to stop my tour HA!MILTON because I needed treatment for prostate cancer. I’m glad to say I’ve had that treatment and am now cancer-free!
“So, many thanks to all the doctors and nurses who helped me get better – I couldn’t do their job (I tried, but apparently you have to be qualified).”
Thanking his family, friends and fans, he went on to joke: “I have to admit there were a few dark moments when I wondered if anyone would ever see me again, but then I realised that I was leaning against the light switch.
“Thankfully, I’m now in a completely different place, and if you look at my website, you’ll see that very soon I’ll be in lots of other different places on tour too”.
Jones picks up his tour on 15 September in Stafford, touring until the end of November 2025.
The show, whose name is a play on the title of the hit musical Hamilton, promises laughter and unforgettable comedy moments, as well as jokes about giraffes and tomatoes.
The Richmond-born comedian has been hailed as the king of the one-liner, basing his jokes on clever wordplay and surreal humour.
He has performed on Live At The Apollo, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.
Now, in social media posts and an appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce’s sports podcast, Swift revealed just what fans can expect from the new album.
Image: Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast. Pic: New Heights
The Life of Showgirl, written during the European leg of her record-breaking Eras tour, will be released on 3 October.
It consists of 12 songs, including the title track that features pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
The full track list is:
1. The Fate Of Ophelia 2. Elizabeth Taylor 3. Opalite 4. Father Figure 5. Eldest Daughter 6. Ruin The Friendship 7. Actually Romantic 8. Wi$h Li$t 9. Wood 10. Cancelled! 11. Honey 12. The Life Of A Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)
Long-time collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, two Swedish producers who worked with Swift on some of her biggest hits, joined the pop star for this album.
Within four hours of posting the full podcast episode on YouTube, it had already gathered 4.7m views.
Image: The cover of Taylor Swift’s newly announced album. Pic: Republic Records
Image: The back cover of Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl. Pic: Republic Records
‘The hardest-working star in pop’
The album follows last year’s The Tortured Poets Department, which was released during the Eras tour.
That tour, with shows on five continents and in 51 cities, raked in more than $2.2bn (£1.62bn) and was the highest-grossing tour of all time.
“This album is about what was going on behind the scenes in my inner life during this tour, which was so exuberant and electric and vibrant,” Swift said during her podcast appearance.
Sky News culture and entertainment reporter Gemma Peplowsaid after her globe-trotting tour and a swathe of re-releases over recent years, the new album cemented Swift’s reputation “as the hardest-working star in pop”.