The Queen (2006)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
The British monarchy faces a crisis of public perception and protocol following the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The story
Following the 1997 United Kingdom general election, Diana, Princess of Wales, is killed in a car crash in Paris. Her death creates an immediate dilemma for her former husband, Prince Charles, and Prime Minister Tony Blair regarding how to honor her as a non-royal. While the public demands an official expression of grief, Queen Elizabeth II initially favors a private approach, leading to a tense standoff between the monarchy and the government. As public outcry grows and the royal family's popularity plummets, the Queen must navigate the pressures of modernization and public sentiment while attempting to shield her grandsons from the national mourning.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the 1997 UK general election, Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash in Paris. This creates a conflict between the royal family, who view her death as a private matter, and Prime Minister Tony Blair, who faces public pressure to provide an official expression of grief. While the Queen remains at Balmoral to shield her grandsons, public mourning erupts, causing the royal family's popularity to plummet while Blair's rises. Blair attempts to guide the Queen toward public acknowledgement, but she initially resists, viewing it as a surrender to hysteria. As outrage hits a critical mass, Blair reveals that 70% of the country believes her actions are damaging the monarchy. Demoralized but realizing the world has changed, the Queen eventually agrees to a public tribute on live television and attends Diana's funeral at Westminster Abbey. The film concludes with a meeting where the Queen cautions Blair that public opinion is fickle and he may soon face the same pressures he exerted on her.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 103
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; France; Italy
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Stephen Frears
- Writers
- Peter Morgan · writer; Peter Morgan · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Helen Mirren · Elizabeth II; Michael Sheen · Tony Blair; James Cromwell · Prince Philip; Helen McCrory · Diana, Princess of Wales; Alex Jennings · Prince Charles; Roger Allam · John Major; Sylvia Syms · Queen Mother
- Genres
- docudrama; biographical drama; political drama
- Themes
- Monarchy vs. Democracy; Public Perception; Grief; Modernization
- Tone and mood
- Solemn; Dramatic; Poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical; Biographical; Political Drama
- Reception
- The film garnered widespread critical and popular acclaim, particularly for Helen Mirren's performance. It was praised for its moving portrait of the British royals and received universal acclaim from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 97% · review count: 203
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actress · Win; British Academy Film Award · Best Actress · Win; Critics' Choice Movie Award · Best Actress · Win; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress · Win; Screen Actors Guild Award · Best Actress · Win; Academy Award · Best Original Score · Nomination; BAFTA Award · Best Film Music · Nomination
- Production trivia
- Helen Mirren was invited to dinner at Buckingham Palace by the Queen herself but declined due to filming commitments.; To enhance the contrast of their different worlds, shots involving the Queen were taken in 35mm film and those of Tony Blair in 16mm film.; The film includes a reference to Blair's past membership in the band Ugly Rumours via an electric guitar in his office.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…