Set in 1991, the episode introduces a royal family grappling with a rapidly changing world.

John Major (Jonny Lee Miller) takes office and finds himself caught between the Queen’s request for yacht repairs and Charles’s desire for power.

Prince Philip discovers that the royal yacht, Britannia , requires £14 million in repairs—a metaphor for the aging monarchy itself.

Season 5 of The Crown opens with an episode titled setting the stage for a decade defined by personal scandal and questions about the monarchy's survival. The Story: Cruel Britannia

Charles and Diana attempt a family vacation in Italy, but the "honeymoon" only exposes the bitter cracks in their marriage. 'The Crown' Season 5 Episode 1 Recap: Cruel Britannia