The Crown - Queen Mary bows to Queen Elizabeth II

The first episode begins with the death of King George VI and the ascension of his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, to the throne. The season explores the challenges faced by Elizabeth as she becomes Queen at a young age and navigates her new role while dealing with personal and family issues.

Throughout the season, we see the tension between Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret, who is struggling with her own personal issues and desires. We also see the struggles of Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, who is adjusting to his new role as consort and dealing with personal and professional challenges.

[donniemercado]

I know everyone likes to mention queen mary bowing but can we also see how Margaret realizes she loses a sister as she’s no longer allowed to walk with her

[PeterH-bexe]

The symbolism is so perfect, right down to the creaking floorboards, as if the weight of the Crown was settling down heavily upon the new Queen. The look they exchange is haunting - it's as if Elizabeth suddenly comprehends the reality and the true gravity of her new situation. This little scene is nothing less than magnificent.

[whigparty]

This is such a powerful moment. Queen Mary's look, to Elizabeth, says it all: DUTY and THE CROWN.

[j.r.]

Queen Mary most certainly made a statement with that very low curtsy.

[ryanpatterson]

So powerful! Mary's eyes confirm the message: The former Elizabeth is dead - You are now Elizabeth Regina and you are owned by the crown!

[christopherko]

Queen Mary was not only Mourning the death of her son, the King.
But showed how much she really grieved, especially as she acknowledged her granddaughter as Queen. The long held tradition of keeping your head high despite the crisis.

[sdude]

Queen Mary looking like the Angel of Death is such raw symbolism that Elizabeth Windsor is dead and Elizabeth Regina has taken her place

[maestroclassico]

Pretty accurate. In real life it was reported that Elizabeth, force of habit, tried to cursey to Mary first. Mary then held out her hand to stop her, said "no, Lilibet.", and THEN curtseyed as shown....a deep Curtsey. As shown here, it was then when Elizabeth began to realize exactly WHO she was...

[gabornagy]

The last 15 seconds is the strongest movie scene I've ever seen

[inwin]

First 2 seasons of the crown are so incredible

[ivantimmerman]

That scene gave me goosebumps, so powerful

[ljudmaa]

Watch that moment like a 100 times, gives me chills, love the cast in the first two seasons most, Vanessa Kirby breaks it, all of them actors are brilliant! One of the best szene ever made!

[NelsonHarper-pevt]

Eileen Atkins, a truly great actress, does more with the look on her face as she rises than most can do in an entire script

[LGranthamsHeir]

Queen Mary's curtsy is not just a show of respect, but also a show of support for Elizabeth. Her stern look at Elizabeth (1:56 - 2:04) silently told the young Queen, ""You got this!"

[minnbeef]

“Long Live Queen Elizabeth” gets much love and deservedly so but this scene might be the most brilliant in the whole series for so many reasons:

1. Clare Foy’s trance-like demeanor through the first part of the scene.
2. The Queen Mother’s curtsy and the admonition to Margaret to “Wait!”
3. Margaret’s initial look of “What?” and then her look of understanding.
4. Phillip’s glare at Margaret as if to say “Know your place”
5. Queen Mary, dressed all in black, curtsying to her granddaughter.
6. Clare Foy’s look of terror
7. And not to be overlooked, Chuchill’s radio address, explaining the reigns of some of England’s great past queens, along with the brilliant soundtrack.

Just chills and goosebumps from start to finish!

[DD-swdd]

The weight conveyed behind Mary’s bow is perfect

[wardarcade]

Yes, likely from the time she was able to walk on her own, Elizabeth had always curtsied to her formidable grandmother Queen Mary who, as queen consort then as queen mother, had always outranked her even as heiress presumptive to the throne. However with Elizabeth having become Queen, nobody outranked her.Hence, for the new Queen it must have been like watching the sun rise from the west to have witnessed Queen Mary struggle against the frailties of age and grief for her own son to actually curtsy to HER! The older woman did so then evidently added 'Your old Grannie and subject must be the first to curtsy!'
On a more humorous note, shortly after their engagement was announced (with George VI having giving the Royal Assent to his heiress's union), the future Duke of Edinburgh got invited by his future in-laws to Balmoral for the first time which (due to its Scottish locale) mandated that the gentlemen all wear kilts which inspired Phillip himself to curtsy to His Majesty for a laugh. Alas, his future father-in-law didn't laugh along with him.

[sarahcorbo]

That look on her face at the end; "You better not screw this up".

[madabbafan]

The look Queen Mary gives Elizabeth 'YOU are The Queen now, my dear. Don't eff it up'

[LocksAndChains]

The floorboards creak under her former majesty.