1997
In 1997, Tony Blair is elected Prime Minister, and shortly after, Princess Diana dies in a car crash, prompting a national outpouring of grief. The Royal Family, led by Queen Elizabeth II, retreats to Balmoral Castle, adhering to tradition and initially underestimating the public's demand for a more visible and emotional response. As public criticism mounts over the monarchy's perceived coldness and refusal to fly the flag at half-mast, Prime Minister Blair acts as an intermediary, urging the Queen to return to London and address the nation. The Queen, after much deliberation and a personal moment of reflection in the Scottish Highlands, agrees to return, inspect the floral tributes, and deliver a televised address. Following Diana's funeral, the Queen and Prime Minister Blair meet, acknowledging their differing approaches to modernity and tradition, with the Queen ultimately recognizing the need for the monarchy to adapt to changing public sentiment while maintaining its core values.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The film opens with Britain’s political transition before pivoting to the royal family’s struggle over Princess Diana’s tragic death and the ensuing public fallout.
Open full beat sheetQueen Elizabeth II is listed as Monarch. The Sovereign of the United Kingdom, stoic and traditional. In the parsed data, Queen Elizabeth II is connected to 45 scenes, 62 dialogue lines, 62 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
45 scenes / 62 dialogue linesTony Blair is listed as Prime Minister. The newly elected, modernizing Prime Minister. In the parsed data, Tony Blair is connected to 32 scenes, 58 dialogue lines, 58 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
32 scenes / 58 dialogue linesPrince Philip is listed as Consort. The Queen's husband, often irritable and traditional. In the parsed data, Prince Philip is connected to 20 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
20 scenes / 25 dialogue linesRobin Janvrin is listed as Deputy Private Secretary. The Queen's deputy Private Secretary. In the parsed data, Robin Janvrin is connected to 17 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
17 scenes / 21 dialogue linesPrince Charles is listed as Heir Apparent. The Queen's eldest son, concerned with public perception. In the parsed data, Prince Charles is connected to 16 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
16 scenes / 21 dialogue linesAlastair Campbell is listed as Press Secretary. Tony Blair's press secretary. In the parsed data, Alastair Campbell is connected to 11 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
11 scenes / 8 dialogue linesQueen Mother is listed as Queen Mother. The Queen's mother, staunchly traditional. In the parsed data, Queen Mother is connected to 11 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
11 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCherie Blair is listed as Prime Minister's Wife. Tony Blair's wife, often critical of the Monarchy. In the parsed data, Cherie Blair is connected to 9 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
9 scenes / 11 dialogue linesLord Airlie is listed as Lord Chamberlain. Responsible for organizing royal ceremonial events. In the parsed data, Lord Airlie is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesPrincess Diana is listed as Deceased Royal. The late Princess of Wales, whose death causes a national crisis. In the parsed data, Princess Diana is connected to 1 scene, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesEstablishing shot of Buckingham Palace during the 1997 election.
The Queen sits for a portrait while watching election news.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen wakes up to news of Blair's landslide victory.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen discusses the upcoming meeting with Blair with Janvrin.
Queen Elizabeth II, Robin JanvrinThe Queen formally appoints Tony Blair as Prime Minister.
Queen Elizabeth II, Tony Blair, Cherie BlairPrincess Diana and Dodi Fayed are pursued by paparazzi in Paris.
Princess DianaThe Royal Family is informed of the car accident in Paris.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Robin Janvrin, Queen MotherJanvrin walks to the sitting room to deliver news to the Royal Family.
Robin JanvrinJanvrin informs the Royal Family of the news from Paris.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Robin Janvrin, Queen MotherPrince Charles receives the news of Diana's death.
Prince CharlesThe Royal Family watches the news report of Diana's death.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen MotherTony Blair watches the news and discusses the situation with Alastair Campbell.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellThe Queen observes Charles telling the boys about their mother's death.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince CharlesThe Queen and Prince Philip discuss the family's reaction.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince PhilipTony Blair prepares his public statement.
Tony Blair, Cherie BlairThe Royal Family eats breakfast while Janvrin interrupts with a call from the Prime Minister.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Robin Janvrin, Queen MotherThe Queen speaks to Tony Blair on the phone regarding the funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II, Tony Blair, Prince PhilipThe family prepares for church.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Queen MotherTony Blair delivers his speech to the nation.
Tony BlairStaff watch Tony Blair's speech.
Robin JanvrinPrince Charles visits the coffin.
Prince CharlesTony Blair receives a call from Lord Airlie.
Tony Blair, Lord AirliePrince Charles returns to England.
Tony Blair, Prince Charles, Lord AirlieThe Royal Family watches news coverage of Charles's return.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen MotherLord Airlie convenes a meeting to plan the funeral.
Alastair Campbell, Lord AirlieLord Airlie convenes a meeting with various officials to discuss the funeral arrangements for Princess Diana.
Lord Airlie, Alastair CampbellAlastair Campbell arrives at Downing Street in a bad mood.
Alastair CampbellTony Blair works on his speech while Alastair Campbell updates him on the funeral plans and press reaction.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellTony Blair and Alastair Campbell discuss the funeral plans.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellRobin Janvrin informs the Queen and Queen Mother about the funeral plans.
Robin Janvrin, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen MotherTony Blair receives a call from Prince Charles's secretary.
Tony BlairStephen Lamport speaks to Tony Blair on behalf of Prince Charles.
Prince CharlesThe Queen and Prince Charles prepare to go out in their respective vehicles.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince CharlesThe Queen and Charles discuss Diana during a drive.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince CharlesPrince Philip and the Princes go hunting.
Prince PhilipThe Queen and Prince Philip discuss Diana while watching television.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince PhilipTony and Cherie Blair discuss the Monarchy.
Tony Blair, Cherie BlairAlastair Campbell shows Tony Blair public complaints about the lack of a flag.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellThe Royal family has a barbecue and discusses the flag issue.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince CharlesThe Royal family discusses the flag protocol and public reaction to Diana's death.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Queen MotherCharles discusses public perception and his own standing with his secretary.
Prince CharlesTony and Cherie Blair discuss the political implications of the monarchy's response.
Tony Blair, Cherie BlairThe Queen writes in her diary.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe shooting party departs.
Janvrin reviews negative press coverage.
Robin JanvrinTony reviews a speech draft and reacts to the word 'revolution'.
Tony BlairTony requests a call to Balmoral.
Tony BlairTony clears his office of aides.
Tony BlairThe Queen takes a call from Tony Blair.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Robin JanvrinTony speaks with Janvrin after the call with the Queen.
Tony Blair, Robin JanvrinThe Queen drives her Land Rover and gets stuck in the river.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen waits for help and encounters a stag.
Queen Elizabeth IITony and Cherie discuss his decision to help the Queen.
Tony Blair, Cherie BlairThe Queen and Philip watch news coverage of the public mourning.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince PhilipPrince Philip and the Queen discuss the public's reaction to Diana's death while watching television coverage.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince PhilipA stag bellows in the night.
Tony Blair watches morning news reports about the Royals.
Tony BlairThe Queen reads negative headlines about the monarchy.
Queen Elizabeth IITony Blair and Alastair Campbell discuss the negative press coverage of the Queen.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellRobin Janvrin informs the Queen that the Prime Minister is calling.
Queen Elizabeth II, Robin JanvrinThe Queen takes a call from Tony Blair in the kitchen.
Queen Elizabeth II, Tony BlairThe Queen discusses the Prime Minister's advice with the Queen Mother.
Queen Elizabeth II, Queen MotherThe Queen and Queen Mother discuss the shifting values of the public.
Queen Elizabeth II, Queen MotherPrince Philip receives a call from Janvrin and learns they must return to London.
Prince Philip, Robin JanvrinPrince Charles tells the Queen he supports her decision to return to London.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince CharlesThe Royal family inspects flowers at the gates of Balmoral.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince CharlesTony Blair watches the Royals on television and feels relieved.
Tony Blair, Cherie BlairThe Queen is dressed for her departure.
Queen Elizabeth IIPhilip tells the Queen about the stag being shot.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince PhilipThe Queen leaves Balmoral.
Queen Elizabeth IIAlastair Campbell shows Tony Blair the headlines about the Queen's return.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellThe Queen visits the neighbouring estate to see the stag.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen views the dead stag.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen prepares her television address on the flight to London.
Queen Elizabeth II, Robin Janvrin, Queen MotherAlastair reviews the Queen's speech.
Alastair CampbellTony Blair defends the Queen against Alastair's criticism.
Tony Blair, Alastair CampbellThe Queen interacts with mourners at the palace gates.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen records her live television address.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Robin JanvrinThe Queen delivers a televised address regarding Diana's death while others watch.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Cherie BlairThe funeral service for Princess Diana.
Tony Blair, Cherie BlairIf you're suggesting that I drop everything and come down to London before I attend to two boys that have just lost their mother..you're mistaken. I doubt there are many who know the British more than I do, Mr. Blair, nor who has greater faith in their wisdom and judgement. And it is my belief that they will soon reject this `mood' which has been stirred up by the press...in favour of a period of restrained grief, and sober, private mourning. That's the way we do things in this country. Quietly. With dignity. It's what the rest of the world has always admired us for.
In one sense its comforting. For the first time my parents can see what it's been like for me all these years, being up against her popularity. But they're still making the mistake of thinking the Diana they knew from living and dealing with her, will eventually be the one seen by the public. But it's not. The two Dianas, theirs and ours, bear no relation to one another at all.
We are today a nation in a state of shock, in mourning, in grief that is so deeply painful to us. People everywhere, not just here in Britain, kept faith with Princess Diana.. They liked her, they loved her, they regarded her as one of the people. She was the people's princess, and that is how she will stay, how she will remain in our hearts and memories forever..
Right. It's ten o'clock. Let's make a start. Thank you all for coming at such notice. I think we all agree this is an extraordinarily sensitive occasion which presents us with tremendous challenges logistically... constitutionally... practically... diplomatically... procedurally...
The next thing he'll be suggesting you change your name to Hilda and mine to Hector? Who does he think he's talking to? You're the Sovereign. The Head of State. You don't get dictated to. You've conceded the idea of a public funeral. You've opened up the parks. That's ENOUGH.
Then I'm sure you'll agree. The situation has become quite critical. Ma'am, a poll that's to be published in tomorrow's paper suggests 70% of people believe your actions have damaged the monarchy and one in four are now in favour of abolishing the monarchy altogether.
No, Ma'am. I believe the moment for statements has passed. I would suggest flying the flag at half-mast above Buckingham Palace... And coming down to London at the earliest opportunity. It would be a great comfort to your people and would help them with their grief.
Then I hope Robin told him there ISN'T a flag above Buckingham Palace... only the Royal Standard, which flies for one reason only. To denote the presence of the Monarch. Since you're here, the flag pole is bare. Which is as it should be.
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