Ep 6. Tywysog Cymru

The Crown season 3 episode 6, titled Tywysog Cymru, focuses on Prince Charles and his relationship with Wales. The episode portrays the struggles of Prince Charles as he assumes responsibility as the Prince of Wales, deals with mounting tensions within his marriage and attempts to connect with the Welsh people.

The story opens with Prince Charles arriving in Wales and struggling to connect with the local people, who view him as an outsider. The prince is met with protests and booing when he arrives at an official ceremony and his advisors worry about the impact this might have on his reputation. In an effort to win over the Welsh people, Prince Charles takes Gaelic lessons and makes several public appearances, including speaking at a Welsh National Opera performance; however, his efforts fail to impress the locals.

Meanwhile, back in London, Queen Elizabeth II is feeling the pressure from her advisors to intervene in the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The couple's relationship is depicted as strained, with Charles feeling suffocated by Diana's popularity and the constant scrutiny from the media. Despite the Queen’s intervention, the marriage continues to unravel, leading to further tensions between Charles and Diana.

As the episode progresses, Prince Charles becomes increasingly disillusioned with his role as the Prince of Wales. His duties appear to be mundane and unfulfilling, and he wonders if he has been cast in this role simply to appease the Welsh people and maintain the political status quo. This leads to a conversation with an elderly Welsh nationalist, who challenges Charles to embrace his role and make a difference in the lives of the Welsh people.

Finally, the episode touches on the tragic Aberfan disaster, which saw the collapse of a colliery spoil tip onto the village of Aberfan in Wales, killing 116 children and 28 adults. Prince Charles struggles with his role in the aftermath of the disaster, making a heartfelt visit to the village and interacting with the survivors.

Overall, Tywysog Cymru is a thought-provoking episode that explores Prince Charles’ relationship with the Welsh people, as well as the tensions within his marriage with Princess Diana. The episode also highlights the political and personal challenges that come with being the heir to the British throne and the Prince of Wales.