I can't tell you enough how much of a royalty nut I am. So it's pretty obvious that watching The Crown has been high on my to-do list, despite the busy schedule, yes. The first season ended ages ago, and the second season will air come November so I tried my best to catch up. Hewego...

***

This scene here made such as an impact for me. Philip always seems to be whining and complaining to Elizabeth about how he misses his career in the Navy and we barely hear the King making a comment about it. But here he just goes straight to the point with Philip and tells him that all the titles given to him are not his job. She, Elizabeth, is the job and "doing this for her, doing this for me", is the greatest act of patriotism.

Amen to that.

I cried so much during the first episode, you'd think I was related to the Windsors. And King George hasn't even died yet! I can only imagine how I'll be on the next episodes.

XO,

Carissa

I'll start off by saying that I cried like 90 percent of the time while watching the first episode of The White Princess. I am a hardcore Yorkist and my heart was totes broken at the end of The White Queen. I'm also aware of what's in store for me on this series, so it's basically pointless to wish for a happy ending. However, watching period dramas brings me so much joy, so sad endings be damned, I will have my fill of palaces, crowns and lovely gowns.

The White Princess started out with a familiar musical scoring that I half-expected King Edward IV and his Queen Elizabeth to pop out after the intro. The opening credit was high on symbolism. All the white things symbolic of the House of York were turning into the red of the House of Lancaster. In the end a Tudor rose is formed: a combination of the Lancastrian red rose petals with white Yorkist petals at the center.

With this first episode, I tried to pick up where I left off with The White Queen. After all, that one was like three or 4 years ago. To review: King Edward IV dies, there's a power struggle within the Plantagenets (House of York), Edward's younger brother Richard declares himself king and disinherits Edward's children, the princes in the tower are nowhere to be found, and finally, Henry Tudor beats Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.

That's where the tears start to spill. It's so hard when you're on the looser's side. Ha ha.

I love the fierceness and vulnerability of Jodie Comer as Elizabeth of York. She is exactly how I'd imagine Edward IV's and Elizabeth Woodville's daughter would be. 

This is also the time to get acquainted with the other characters.

Rebecca Ferguson had a great portrayal of Elizabeth Woodville in The White Queen Series and I wish she'd come back for this new one. However, that would mean that she will have to be aged a bit so I understand the reason why production picked a different actress. What do I say? I love her regal bearing. 

We've also been given a glimpse of the young Prince Richard, Earl of Shrewsburry, one half of the Princes in the Tower, and we're given the idea that he survived, but we're not really sure if he escaped to Tournai as instructed by his mother. That's one more thing to look forward to in the coming episodes.

I was pleased to see a familiar face in this series. Caroline Goodall who played Cecily, Duchess of York came back and she is still as feisty as ever. It's no secret that she and Elizabeth Woodville have always been at odds but given their current bad situation, they are still rallying behind the House of York, albeit some of them are doing it in secret. However, Duchess Cecily was quiet upfront in saying that she does not accept Henry Tudor as king. She was also quick to remind everyone that Henry is but a descendant of servants.

"...And burn the snow from falling. I will have nothing white in England."

-Henry Tudor

I'm not really a big fan of these two . Sorry, I have my biases. ;)

It's also good to see that The White Queen herself, Elizabeth Woodville is still dabbling with magic, something that we did not hear of in the book version of The White Princess. Here she secures a strand of Lady Margaret's hair and casts a spell to "get into her head" and made her have nightmares about the princes in the tower.

Looking forward to the next episodes.

XO,

Carissa
PS. All images were screencapped by me. Credits to STARZ
Absolutely no copyright infringement intended.
I'm just fangirling. :)

Like, literally.
After all, it won't hurt to see some crowns, gowns, jewels, and palaces here and there. It's always fun to see some historical drama unfold. Oh, the power struggle too!
Always great to see a female protagonist slayin' it.
So here they are...My title's quiet up front, ain't it?! Ha ha

The White Queen

Reign

Victoria

This one hasn't aired yet but I already feel like binge-watching it because it is about one of my most favorite monarchs: Queen Victoria. I have seen the movie The Young Victoria in the past, as portrayed by Emily Blunt. I doubt it if there would be much difference in the story line since it would be covering the same period but since this one is an eight-part series I think we can have the luxury to be a bit more detailed about the story. Moreover, that crown and the intricately braided hair underneath it is also something to look forward to. (^,^)

The White Princess

The Crown

I've seen the trailer of The Crown and I must admit that I am quiet surprised. I've seen dozens and dozens of photos of the young Queen Elizabeth II and she always strikes me as someone confident and happy about her role. On the trailer, I saw a girl who trembles a lot. Well, if you would become queen at 25 maybe you would tremble too. And having Winston as Prime Minister, that would be unnerving. And with the popularity of the monarchy in shambles, maybe it's all too much for a young girl. More than 60 years later and here we are; the British Monarchy is a well admired institution and we can only credit it to the hardworking QE II who also leads by example. Vivat Regina!


There there, these are my five queens...that's three Elizabeths, one Victoria and one Mary.  I didn't mean to make it look like an all girls squad but I've always been drawn towards them. If you happen to look for some cute guys, I'm pretty sure you can spot some of them in these shows too *cough* MAX IRONS (King Edward IV in The White Queen) *cough*. Ha ha. Or maybe checkout those old episodes of The Tudors. Seriously though, the royalty nut aspect of me is pretty hardcore. I've constructed Queen Victoria's Family Tree in the past; that one left my old roomies scratching their heads. I was once obsessed with the Romanov Family. I still kind of am. I sometimes catch myself daydreaming over tiaras.

Ever heard of the first commoner to marry into the royal family of England?

Lay down that weapon Lady! Elizabeth Woodville threatens the Edward IV of England that she will cut herown throat if he forces himself on her.

A tasteful serving for all historical-fiction nuts such as myself : Our favorite part in English history comes to life with the screen adaptation of Philippa Gregory's bestselling series - The Cousin's War, a histo-fiction account of the Wars of the Roses from the point of view of women who played important roles in its midst.  The series is set in the 1400's when England plunges into a civil war : the supporters of the two opposing houses of the Plantagenet Dynasty symbolized by roses- White for York and Red for Lancaster battle it out for the crown.

King Edward IV of the House of York defends the throne that was once occupied by his cousin Henry VI of the House of Lancaster. The battles are endless however, as no side is willing to give up. In the midst of